Experience Research Articles

Dual career in sport and non-sport work: Exploring experiences of North American professional female ice hockey players

Grounded in role strain theory, this study explored the dual career experiences of North American female ice hockey players who were also involved in full-time non-sporting work, focusing on factors that produced and reduced their role strain. We interviewed ten professional ice hockey players who held full-time non-sport jobs at the time of their interview. Our reflexive thematic analysis revealed that the multitude of factors leading to role strain among professional female working-athletes were notably significant, spanning societal expectations and environmental complexities. The imposition of the superwoman persona, demanding excellence in both hockey and work roles, combined with inconsistent expectations from professional and athletic supervisors intensified stress and undermined well-being. The study’s findings emphasize the need for robust support systems and adaptive strategies, such as effective communication, careful planning, and proactive self-care, which can mitigate these pressures. Furthermore, the athletes’ narratives revealed a pressing call for empathy and flexibility from coaches, employers, and the broader sports community, suggesting that improvements in these areas could enhance the professional and personal experiences of these working-athletes. The findings provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by dual career female athletes, as well as current strategies aimed at supporting and enhancing their experiences. Furthermore, these results deepen our understanding of how professional female athletes in North America can achieve greater well-being by addressing the factors that produce and reduce role strain factors.

Growing Confidence and Remaining Uncertainty About Animal Consciousness

While the study of consciousness has had a controversial history and, until recently, a pessimistic prognosis, recent views within the neuroscientific community suggest that a maturing if incomplete scientific understanding of consciousness is close at hand. The purpose of this essay is to specify the major points on which in my opinion there is widespread though not universal agreement, as proposed benchmarks for the current state of consciousness research across the phylogenetic spectrum. Most published definitions of consciousness boil down to a focus on it as a process arising in a nervous system engaged with a body and its environment, giving rise to subjective (personal) experience. A broad consensus on the phenomenology of consciousness sees it consisting at a minimum of (1) awareness_ _and focused attention, (2) unity of perception, (3) qualitative variations in content, (4) mental causation, and (5) a sense of self. There is also broad agreement that the substrate of consciousness requires sizeable, complex nervous systems organized into several hierarchical levels of processing. Further insight is gained by reconstructing the evolution of subjective phenomenological experience ― most likely from multiple origins, hosted by a diversity of body and brain architectures, and diverging into markedly different forms across the animal kingdom. However, three major mysteries about phenomenological experience that remain unresolved are (1) the neurological correlates of consciousness, (2) the apparent gap between phenomenology and mechanism, and (3) the process that monitors the brain activity admitted into consciousness.

P-455 Exploring the impact of fertility care on the modern workforce: key research findings

Abstract Study question Is there a need for a fertility revolution to accommodate the modern workforce, and how canit be safely and effectively implemented? Summary answer Offering care to employees facing fertility issues is vital as access to reproductive healthcareis more needed and more of a challenge than ever before. What is known already The UK faces a fertility care crisis as NHS struggles and private insurance premiums soar,prompting employees to seek support from employers. Challenges include an ageing parent demographic, falling fertility rates, and a global decline in sperm quality. Employees demand healthcare support, with 55% wanting fertility assistance, and 1 in 3 considering job change due to inadequate fertility or baby loss support. Financial concerns further delay fertility journeys for 56% of employees, impacting mental well-being. While high-cost fertility benefits emerge, the call is for holistic, early-stage support to mitigate stress and improve overall fertility outcomes for employees. Study design, size, duration During September 2023, a survey was conducted to explore and make the link between the personal / human experience of infertility and the corporate impact / responsibility in supporting someone through it. The survey was disseminated to 1031 employees, 511 of which were struggling with fertility issues and 508 were trying to conceive or considering future fertility. Participants/materials, setting, methods An online survey anonymously gathered responses from UK employees across various sectors, posing 22 targeted multiple-choice questions on fertility, pregnancy loss, and miscarriage. The survey sought to understand the intricate connections between theseaspects and the provision of employer-based support and benefits, shedding light on the current landscape of fertility-related concerns within the workforce. Main results and the role of chance The survey shows that 28% reported personal fertility experiences, and 37% faced challenges themselves or through partners. 55% desire increased employer support during their fertility journey, peaking at 66% among BAME individuals. Importantly,30% prioritise fertility benefits over a condensed work week, with Gen Z (37%) emphasising this more than Gen X (28%). Attrition concerns are evident, with 21% contemplating job changes due to fertility struggles, higher among BAME (31.54%) and LGBTQ + (25.62%) individuals. Productivity is impacted for 30%, with LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing a higher impact (38%). workplace relationships suffer for 25%, while 24% believe their workplace poorly support those facing fertility challenges.Taking time off for fertility-related issues is prevalent, with 64% having done so, and 22% believe more employer support could have reduced their time off. Workplace policies appear lacking, as 39% find them non-inclusive, with BAME (44%) and LGBTQ + (49%) individuals expressing higher dissatisfaction. Attraction and retention are influenced by fertility support, as 47% of Gen Z and 47% of BAME respondents prioritise it when considering new roles. Limitations, reasons for caution No limitations identified. Male, female and gender neutral/ non-binary respondents were included in the survey, along with those who identified as single or were in heterosexual same sex relationships. People from BAME communities were also included in the survey. Wider implications of the findings The survey underscores a growing need for employer support in fertility challenges. Attrition concerns and productivity impacts reveal potential economic ramifications for organisations neglecting fertility support and inclusive strategies. Findings position comprehensive fertility support and emotional wellbeing support as a competitive advantage for talent attraction. Trial registration number not applicable

Growth Hormone Treatment in Children of Normal Height.

The increased availability of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), albeit at a relatively high cost, has increased a demand for treatment of children and adolescents of normal height to increase their adult stature. There are no scientific reports on the efficacy and safety of rhGH therapy in this condition, therefore, the authors comment on the possible causes and consequences based on their personal opinion and experience. As in gigantism, when GH action and end-organ are normal, enough GH is expected to result in increased growth velocity. Short-term adverse effects related to rhGH therapy for approved indications of short stature in children have been very rare. Data on long-term adverse effects are still scarce. A small increase in height might be statistically significant but not functionally or socially relevant. Considering that an increase in height represents more a desire than a need, physicians should emphasize the normality and qualities of these children, discuss with families' alternatives, such as counseling, and refrain from supporting the concept that taller is better.

"You can push these conversations, but don't push your patient away": healthcare learner perspectives on virtual simulation games as an educational approach to address vaccine hesitancy.

Vaccine hesitancy is a significant threat to public health. Healthcare providers (HCPs) can address hesitancy during routine patient conversations; however, few multidisciplinary education tools exist for HCPs to learn to engage in vaccine discussion especially considering new vaccine technologies such as mRNA vaccines. The objectives of this study were to explore HCP learners' experiences with COVID-19 vaccine communication, and qualitatively evaluate an online learning module composed of virtual simulation games (VSGs) which utilize the PrOTCT Framework for HCP vaccine communication. Three virtual focus groups were conducted from December 2022 to January 2023 with Canadian healthcare learners in nursing (N = 6), pharmacy (N = 9), and medicine (N = 7) who participated in a larger study measuring the effectiveness of the VSGs. Using a pragmatic approach, a qualitative thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo to identify themes and subthemes. A total of 22 HCP learners participated in this study and three key themes were identified. Across all three disciplines, participants expressed that (1) their prior education lacked training on how to hold vaccine conversations, resulting in uncomfortable personal experiences with patients; (2) the VSGs increased their confidence in holding vaccine conversations by providing novel tools and skills; and (3) participants also provided feedback to improve the VSGs which was implemented and supported the dissemination to all HCP professions. Although HCPs are a trusted source of vaccine information, participants in this study felt they received little training on how to engage in challenging conversations regarding COVID-19 vaccines. The introduction of the PrOTCT Framework and presumptive statements provided novel strategies for HCP to initiate vaccine conversations, especially considering new vaccine technologies and participants appreciated the emphasis on coping strategies and resilience. It is essential that HCP are provided both opportunities to practice managing these conversations, and tools and skills to succeed at an early point in their careers to prepare them for future roles in vaccine advocacy, delivery, and promotion.

531 Research Priorities for Oesophageal Cancer : Results from a Priority Setting Partnership

Abstract Aim Oesophageal cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and it remains one of the hardest cancers to treat. Despite advances in the last decade, oesophageal cancer still has high morbidity and mortality burdens, and further research is needed to improve those outcomes. The aim of the Priority Setting Partnership was to bring together patients, family, caregivers, and the multidisciplinary healthcare team to identify and prioritise the most important unanswered questions for future research. Method Following the James Lind Alliance methodology, different stakeholders were asked to list their uncertainties about oesophageal cancer, which were then checked against existing evidence, categorised, and formed into questions. These then went through a survey for interim ranking, and those shortlisted were discussed at a final workshop to identify the Top 10 unanswered research questions. Results 230 responders to the initial survey, two-thirds of which were patients, revealed 365 uncertainties. After removing duplicates and previously answered questions, sixty-three remained for interim ranking, and twenty-five were shortlisted for the workshop. Participants agreed on their Top 10 priorities, which covered topics such as prevention, current and novel treatment options, nutrition, survivorship concerns, and risk factors for developing oesophageal cancer, particularly at a young age. Conclusions Patients, family members, carers, and healthcare professionals collaborated to identify the most important questions for oesophageal cancer research. The results can help direct funding and attention to the shared priorities of those with personal experiences living with and providing care for oesophageal cancer.

Reflections: enhancing critical thinking in science education by implementing philosophy elements into training.

In this work, I describe the trajectory of philosophy and science as separate disciplines from their early days as quite overlapping fields to their clear divergence in the latest centuries. From personal experience, I discuss the benefits of exposure to philosophy and closely related courses in undergraduate studies and bring to the forefront the positive aspects of integrating philosophy of science courses in graduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. I also briefly offer some additional steps institutions can take to foster unity between areas of science and philosophy by incorporating interdisciplinary activities.

Exploring Financial Behavior: A Qualitative Investigation into Psychological Factors Influencing Risk Preferences and Investment Decisions

This qualitative study investigates the psychological determinants influencing risk preferences and investment decisions. Grounded in phenomenology and interpretivism, the research aims to explore subjective experiences related to financial behavior. Employing purposive sampling, participants were selected based on diverse criteria. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. Thematic analysis revealed intricate interplays between personal experiences, cognitive biases, emotions, social influences, and financial literacy, shaping individuals' risk perceptions and decision-making processes. Findings underscore the multifaceted nature of financial behavior, highlighting the significance of personality traits, cognitive styles, and decision-making biases. Risk-averse individuals prioritized capital preservation, while sensation seekers pursued high-risk, high-reward investments. Moreover, individuals' self-efficacy influenced their investment strategies. Cognitive biases, such as overconfidence and loss aversion, further impacted investment decisions. The study emphasizes the importance of considering psychological factors in designing personalized financial interventions and educational programs. Future research directions include longitudinal studies, cross-cultural comparisons, and interdisciplinary approaches integrating insights from psychology, economics, and finance. This research contributes to the advancement of knowledge in behavioral finance and informs practical implications for financial advisors and policymakers, aiming to enhance individuals' financial well-being and decision-making competence.

The musical-creative and pedagogical activity of Solomiya Krushelnytska: contribution to the development of Ukrainian music education

This article examines the musical-creative and pedagogical activity of the prominent Ukrainian opera singer Solomiya Krushelnytska (1872-1952) and her contribution to developing Ukrainian music education in the first half of the 20th century. Utilising theoretical approaches to studying personality within the cultural-historical context, we explore Krushelnytska's life path as an example of combining artistic activity and pedagogical practice. The research analyses biographical materials, students' memoirs, and critical reviews of the singer's performances. The results show that Krushelnytska significantly contributed to popularising Ukrainian vocal art internationally and played an essential role in developing vocal pedagogy in Ukraine. Her pedagogical principles, grounded in her personal experience and methods of the Italian vocal school, promoted the formation of new generations of Ukrainian opera performers.

The Physical, Mental, Spiritual, and Environmental (PMSE) Framework for Enhancing Wellness Tourism Experiences and Its Validation in the Context of Kerala, India

Wellness tourism has emerged as a thriving sector in Kerala, India, renowned for its Ayurveda treatments, yoga, and holistic well-being offerings. However, a comprehensive framework capturing the key dimensions of wellness tourism experiences remains underexplored. This study aims to validate the physical, mental, spiritual, and environmental (PMSE) framework within the context of Kerala’s wellness tourism industry. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing data collected from wellness tourists who participated in various wellness services in Kerala. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess the fitness of the PMSE framework. The findings reveal that mental experience and physical experience, with their respective sub-attributes, contribute significantly to the overall wellness tourism experience. The validated PMSE framework provides valuable insights for stakeholders, enabling them to enhance the quality and competitiveness of wellness tourism services in Kerala. By prioritizing the mental and physical dimensions of wellness experiences, Kerala can strengthen its position as a leading wellness tourism destination. This study advances the theoretical understanding of wellness tourism experiences and offers practical implications for destination management and service providers in Kerala’s wellness tourism industry.

Reflexive Inquiry’s Impact on Mindful Teaching for Student Wellbeing

This inquiry investigates the effects of trauma on students by analyzing personal experiences and teaching methods. Through the lens of autoethnography, a nonfictional storytelling approach, I reflect on my learning journey to identify compassionate and mindful teaching practices, aiming to foster a trauma‑sensitive classroom environment. Emphasizing the significance of teachers sharing their stories through autoethnography, this exploration contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on trauma-informed pedagogy for student wellbeing.

An Early Childhood Educator’s Learning Story in the Time of COVID

While it began with a variety of narrative representations of writing personal experiences, since Ellis (2004; Bochner & Ellis, 2016), evocative, performative, and creative nonfiction forms of storying have coalesced to form contemporary autoethnography. For over a decade, Canadian arts education researchers have blazed trails to employ those forms of autoethnography as “learning stories” (Carr, 2001; Carr & Lee, 2012) to study teaching and learning practices in a variety of school and community educational contexts. Learning stories enable educators to reveal teaching and learning experiences that cannot be represented by, or communicated through, other research forms. The present inquiry, which begins with the story of an early childhood educator, is rooted in the fusion of evocative autoethnography and learning stories with arts-based research, particularly a/r/tography.

Secure Travel Planning Using a Heuristic Algorithm

Security perception in the urban area has a significant effect on travel behaviour, preferences, and tour planning. The perceptions of security risks can vary depending on factors, such as age, gender, and previous experiences. This study aims to consider security risks when developing travel plans and schedules for various activities. An improved heuristic algorithm, based on the Travelling Salesman Problem with security parameter and flexibility aspects, is proposed. Public transport is considered in three situations: fixed, flexible, and flexible-security situations. The outcomes demonstrate that the flexible situation significantly decreases travel times by 21% compared to the basic (fixed) situation. At the same time, with a slightly increased travel time the security risk can be avoided in the flexible-security situation. Travelers can enjoy a higher quality of travelling and enhanced personal experience by minimizing the journey duration and the impact of security risks on the tour schedule. The proposed method provides significant benefits for transport operators by increasing the efficiency of the transportation system and higher customer satisfaction.

Reflexive Inquiry’s Impact on Mindful Teaching for Student Wellbeing

This inquiry investigates the effects of trauma on students by analyzing personal experiences and teaching methods. Through the lens of autoethnography, a nonfictional storytelling approach, I reflect on my learning journey to identify compassionate and mindful teaching practices, aiming to foster a trauma‑sensitive classroom environment. Emphasizing the significance of teachers sharing their stories through autoethnography, this exploration contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on trauma-informed pedagogy for student wellbeing.

Establishing Narrative Voice and Encountering the ‘I’ Through Identity Creation in Life Writing

ABSTRACT American biographer and scholar, Carl Rollyson, maintains that ‘the focus of biography is on the subject, not the biographer, yet half the story of a biography is, of course, who is telling the story’ [Rollyson, C. 2020. The Last Days of Sylvia Plath. New York: Blackstone, xi]. This article maintains that the writing process facilitates identity development by writing ourselves into existence. This experience is conveyed while focusing on issues of self-reflexivity and writer agency, alongside identity formation through writing our ‘own’ stories from unique perspectives. This process is explored through a discussion of the ways in which I have grappled with establishing a narrative voice while forging a personal sense of identity while writing my doctoral thesis, which is a practice-based project comprising a life-writing artefact presented alongside a critical exegesis. This article explores the ways in which writers occupy central roles within life writing, while underscoring the process in ascertaining issues pertaining to identity. Finally, this discussion concludes with the consideration of the ways in which the ‘I’ in life writing can be established, arguing for the personal experience that is inevitably embodied by the genre.

Comparing collagen stimulators and hyaluronic acids fillers: Ellansé vs MaiLi

In this article, I will compare the collagen stimulators and hyaluronic acids fillers, Ellansé and MaiLi. The benefits of both will be discussed, when used alone and when used in combination. I will also share my personal experience of using these products in clinic and explore how to select the most appropriate patient for both options.

Labour multiplier driven approach for budgeting project resources

Manpower demand for construction projects is roughly budgeted based on planners’ personal experience. This research study explores an analytical way to characterise project labour demand profiles throughout project duration. Labour multiplier (LM) approach was advanced to characterise the labour demand profiles. Optimistic, most-likely, and pessimistic LM and labour demand profiles at 10 project stages are defined by using manpower and payment data derived from 91 completed public construction projects under 21 project types in Hong Kong. The root-mean-square-error and root-mean-squared-logarithmic-error are used to quantify the difference between the budgeted and the benchmarked manpower. A text-book example is successfully adopted to demonstrate the steps of the proposed approach, validated by two practical projects. This research is the first to study the use of LM to characterise optimistic, most-likely, pessimistic resource demand profiles for validating manpower resource budgets. Also, the approach provides a basis to evaluate the reasonableness of planned resource.

Identification of determining factors in formation of açaí berry price from the perspective of its entrepreneurs

Purpose: This research aims to identify the determinants factors for açai berry price liter in Belem Metropolitan Region (RMB) at Para state, Brazil, according to the perception of its entrepreneurs. Methodology: An exploratory with a qualitative approach research, conducted through face-to-face semi-structured interviews with açaí entrepreneurs, in the RMB. The collected information was treated with content analysis, using ATLAS.Ti 8 software, in three categories of analysis: determining factors for pricing based on costs; determining factors for market-based pricing; determining factors for pricing based on costs and market. From these three categories, the description of the factors and variables took place. Results: It was concluded that açaí entrepreneurs predominantly adopt strategies for price formation based on costs, as opposed to determinants based on market factors, using inadequate information and methods of price formation, based only on personal experience and perceived need, lacking training and formal education, under the study field, drawing attention support from agencies that promote entrepreneurship, and definition of public policies for development and improvement of activity of producing açaí pulp in Belem and region. Contributions of the Study: From a theoretical perspective, this research contributes to study and discussion of sales price formation approaches. As a practical contribution, this research emphasizes the açaí fruit in establishments belonging to Para metropolis, favoring the development and improvement of local enterprises. Finally, given that açaí is a food product of cultural and economic significance for the RMB, this research contributes socially by portraying and bringing to discussion the reality of these businesses management.

Diagnosis and management of Evans syndrome in adults: first consensus recommendations.

Evans syndrome is a rare disease marked by a severe clinical course, high relapse rate, infectious and thrombotic complications, and sometimes fatal outcome. Management is highly heterogeneous. There are several case reports but few large retrospective studies and no prospective or randomised trials. Here, we report the results of the first consensus-based expert recommendations aimed at harmonising the diagnosis and management of Evans syndrome in adults. After reviewing the literature, we used a fuzzy Delphi consensus method, with two rounds of a 42-item questionnaire that were scored by a panel of 13 international experts from five countries using a 7-point Likert scale. Panellists were selected by the core panel on the basis of their personal experience and previous publications on Evans syndrome and immune cytopenias; they met virtually throughout 2023. The panellists recommended extensive clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests, including bone marrow evaluation and CT scan, and an aggressive front-line therapy with prednisone (with or without intravenous immunoglobulins), with different treatment durations and tapering for immune thrombocytopenia and autoimmune haemolytic anaemias (AIHAs). Rituximab was strongly recommended as first-line treatment in cold-type AIHA and as second-line treatment in warm-type AIHA and patients with immune thrombocytopenia and antiphospholipid antibodies, previous thrombotic events, or associated lymphoproliferative diseases. However, rituximab was discouraged for patients with immunodeficiency or severe infections, with the same applying to splenectomy. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists were recommended for chronic immune thrombocytopenia and in the case of previous grade 4 infection. Fostamatinib was recommended as third-line or further-line treatment and suggested as second-line therapy for patients with previous thrombotic events. Immunosuppressive agents have been moved to third-line or further-line treatment. The panellists recommended the use of recombinant erythropoietin in AIHA in the case of inadequate reticulocyte counts, use of the complement inhibitor sutimlimab for relapsed cold AIHA, and the combination of rituximab plus bendamustine in Evans syndrome secondary to lymphoproliferative disorders. Finally, recommendations were given for supportive therapy, platelet or red blood cell transfusions, and thrombotic and antibiotic prophylaxis. These consensus-based recommendations should facilitate best practice for diagnosis and management of Evans syndrome in clinical practice.

The ParentingWell Practice Approach: Facilitating implementation in U.S. adult mental health services.

To address the need for interventions for families with parents with mental illness, the evidence-based intervention Let's Talk about Children (LTC) was adapted in the context of adult mental health services in the United States and reframed as the ParentingWell Practice Approach. This study focuses on the early implementation phase of the adapted practice in Massachusetts. As part of the adaptation and implementation process, practitioners from provider agencies serving adults with mental illness were invited to participate in the ParentingWell Learning Collaborative (PWLC), which included in-person learning collaborative sessions and follow-up virtual coaching sessions. This paper focuses on data obtained during and in response to the PWLC virtual coaching sessions, from 29 participants. Specific research questions included: (1) What themes emerged in coaching sessions related to practitioners' experiences during the early implementation of the ParentingWell Practice Approach (2) In what ways are coaching sessions helpful to the practitioners as they implement the ParentingWell Practice Approach? Coaching sessions were recorded, and transcribed, and the data were analyzed qualitatively to identify early implementation themes. Practitioners completed feedback surveys online (which included Likert scale items and open-ended questions) following virtual coaching sessions to evaluate the usefulness of coaching sessions. Coaching sessions reflected the following themes related to practitioners' experiences during the early implementation of ParentingWell: (1) practitioners identify and share concrete approaches to supporting parents; (2) practitioners reflect on parents' needs related to support, advocacy, problem-solving, and parenting skills; (3) practitioners reflect on their own personal experiences; and (4) practitioners' recognize the importance of self-care strategies for themselves and for parents served. Practitioners indicated that coaching sessions were useful in supporting the implementation of a new practice. This study provides preliminary evidence for the benefits of coaching in the implementation of ParentingWell. Future research will explore the impact of ParentingWell on outcomes for parents and families served.