Practitioner Perspectives Research Articles

Barriers to Building Information Modeling from an Individual Perspective in the Chinese Construction Industry: An Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology

Building information modeling (BIM) is a crucial information technology that promotes the transformation and upgrading of the construction industry. It has been widely used in various stages of construction projects, including design, construction, and operation. However, BIM technology still faces numerous obstacles in practice. From the perspective of construction practitioners, this study constructs a structural equation model to explore the obstacles encountered by construction practitioners in the process of applying BIM technology. Task–technology fit, effort expectancy, performance expectancy, user trust, and facilitating conditions can significantly improve practitioners’ behavioral intention, with task–technology fit having the most significant impact on behavioral intention. Facilitating conditions and behavioral intention significantly affect usage behavior, while perceived cost does not significantly affect behavioral intention. The multiple-group analysis found that in the path of performance expectancy on behavioral intention, males have a significant effect while females do not; in the path of facilitating conditions on behavioral intention, higher education levels have a significant effect while lower education levels do not; in the path of facilitating conditions on behavioral behavior, lower usage time has a significant effect while higher usage time does not. Suggestions for promoting the application of BIM technology are proposed in this article to improve its utilization rate. This study provides more perspectives and ideas for future research on BIM diffusion.

Integration of Complementary Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care: Survey of Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives

Background: In recent years, it has been discovered that complementary and traditional medicine (CTM) use among cancer patients has increased. In order to successfully integrate these treatments into cancer care, it is critical to assess the viewpoints, foreseen obstacles and recommendations for CTM use in cancer patients from the perspective of healthcare practitioners (HCPs). Purpose: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of HCPs on CTM integration in cancer care, as well as perceived barriers and suggested recommendations to CTM use in oncology settings. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect data from a sample of 240 healthcare providers (HCPs) using the Complementary and Traditional Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care Questionnaire. Results: Findings revealed that 49.6% of the participating HCPs reported that 50% of cancer patients had used CTM in the past year. Approximately 75% of HCPs perceived that the greatest motives for cancer patients to use CTM are to improve their well-being and QoL, in addition to have lower chemotherapy side effects. According to HCPs, patients resorted to diet/nutrition therapy and herbs the most during chemotherapy or advanced cancer and they would first consult a folk healer (48.8%), then an oncologist (31.7%) about CTM used modalities. The findings also revealed that HCPs perceived inadequate communication between CTM and conventional practitioners and oncologist skepticism and rejection of CTM as barriers to CTM integration. Conclusion: HCPs saw a need to improve communication between integrative physicians and cancer patients by focusing on the patients’ lifestyle and outlook, their well-being and their ability to function. Implications for Nursing: The findings showed that the majority of HCPs considered oncology nurses to have a crucial role in “participating in building CTM treatment plan”. Therefore, nurses need to take a leading role towards reducing the barriers of CTM integration in cancer care settings and involve in planning educational training programs focusing on the benefits and risks of using CTM and the best methods towards integrating CTM modalities for cancer patients.

Evaluating the reform of the psychotherapy guideline using a mixed-methods approach: a study protocol

In Germany, psychotherapy in outpatient statutory health care is regulated by the Psychotherapy Guideline (PT-GL). A discussion on waiting times and inadequate care for patients resulted in a structural reform of the PT-GL in 2017. The reform aims to improve access to psychotherapy and the entire course of care and treatment. The purpose of the present study was the evaluation of the new elements and identification of obstacles and barriers in their implementation. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to evaluate the reform of the PT-GL. In a retrospective cohort-based analysis of anonymized administrative claim data from the statutory health insurances BARMER and AOK, the health care situation before and after the reform were compared. In addition, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey evaluated the implementation of the new care elements from the perspective of psychotherapists, general practitioners and patients. The questionnaires were developed based on focus groups with stakeholders and a literature search. The survey results provided the data basis for the cross-sectional analysis together with the routine data on the care situation after the reform of the PT-GL as well as aggregated, anonymized data from the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians on statutory health insurance care and on the use of the appointment service centers. By combining quantitative and qualitative data, the effects of the structural reform of the PT-GL of 2016 can be analyzed at the individual and structural level as well as in relation to the entire care and treatment process. Based on this, proposals for a needs-oriented further development of the PT-GL will be prepared, considering the perspectives of various interest groups.

Validation of ageism scale for dental students in India: (Ageism Scale for Dental Students- India) - a cross sectional study.

This was a cross sectional analytical study carried out among both males and females in Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore in which the instrument was 27-item Ageism scale for dental students. Content validity was done by six subject experts. The final version was administered to 213 students/Residents of dental school. The factorability of data was confirmed with KMO = 0.61 and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity resulting in p < 0.001. Final PCA model resulted in 15 items and six components that together accounted for 70.37% of overall variance. The six components had reliability ranging from marginal 0.51 (Component 6) to a high of 0.81 (Component 3). As per the gender differences by component females showed less ageism than men in "non-compliance" (-0.9(-1.66-0.14), p<0.05) and "practitioner perspective" (1.43 (0.84, 2.03), p<0.01). Statistical significance was seen in Barriers/concerns in dental treatment of elderly where residents showed reversed (1.4 (0.41, 2.38), p<0.01). Urban group showed more ageism for component 'time restraint' (-0.79 (-1.57, -0.02), p<0.05. Preliminary validation resulted in 15 item scale with six components with acceptable validity of the ageism scale and could be further tested in large samples. This scale will help recognize ageism in Indian context and provide necessary information to make changes in the curriculum as required.

Preferences and Perspectives of Australian General Practitioners' Towards a New "Four-in-One" Risk Assessment Tool for Preventative Health: The LEAD! GP Project.

Dementia risk reduction is a public health priority and general practitioners (GPs) play a pivotal role in preventative healthcare. Therefore, risk assessment tools should be designed with GPs' preferences and perspectives in mind. The LEAD! GP project aimed to investigate Australian GPs' preferences and perspectives relating to design, use and implementation of a new risk assessment tool that simultaneously calculates risk for four outcomes- dementia, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarct, and stroke. A mixed methods study using semi-structured interviews of a diverse group of 30 Australian GPs was conducted. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically. Demographics and questions that elicited categorical answers were analyzed descriptively. Overall, GPs felt that preventative healthcare was important with some finding it rewarding, and others finding it difficult. GPs currently use many risk assessment tools. GPs' perception of the usefulness and negatives/barriers of tools related to clinical practice applicability, patient engagement, and practical aspects. The largest barrier was lack of time. GPs responded positively to the concept of a four-in-one tool and preferred it to be relatively short, supported by practice nurses and some patient involvement, linked to education resources, available in different formats, and integrated into practice software. GPs recognize the importance of preventative healthcare and the potential benefit of a new tool that simultaneously predicts risk for those four outcomes. Findings provide important guidance to inform the final development and piloting of this tool with potential to improve efficiency and practical integration of preventative healthcare for dementia risk reduction.

Facilitators of effective interprofessional collaborative practice for physiotherapy private practitioners: An interpretive descriptive study

IntroductionDespite the growing presence of physiotherapy private practitioners within Australia's health care workforce, little is known about their perspectives of interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP). The aim of this study was to explore the facilitators of IPCP from the perspective of Australian physiotherapy private practitioners. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 physiotherapists and 64 h of observation was completed in 10 private practice sites in Queensland, Australia. Interview and observation data were pooled and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. ResultsData analysis produced four main themes and three sub-themes that characterised physiotherapists’ perspectives on the facilitators of IPCP: (a) close physical proximity (integrated team membership; co-location; interior architecture); (b) technological advancements; (c) complex client presentations; and (d) positive professional reputation. ConclusionThis study provides valuable insights into the facilitators of IPCP from the perspective of physiotherapy private practitioners. Emphasising close physical proximity of multiple health practitioners, leveraging technological innovations, recognising the value of IPCP for clients with chronic and complex care needs, and cultivating positive professional reputations can promote effective IPCP for physiotherapy private practitioners. The findings from this research may be used to guide the development of innovative strategies that will support robust and sustainable models of IPCP in the physiotherapy private practice setting.

Exploring the anti‐corruption abilities of e‐procurement in Ghanaian mining companies

AbstractThe anti‐corruption capabilities of e‐procurement have not gotten any attention in Ghana, although the success factors of e‐procurement adoption have been thoroughly researched. The study's main objective is to assess how e‐procurement may reduce procurement fraud and corruption in Ghanaian mining enterprises. A self‐administered questionnaire was used to gather information on the extent to which e‐procurement anti‐corruption factors outlined in the literature reduced procurement fraud and corruption in Ghanaian mining firms from the perspectives of sector practitioners. The data was then analyzed using factor analysis. The study revealed the breaking of the monopoly of power, transparency and accountability, and breaking of information asymmetry, as e‐procurement anti‐corruption variables that combat procurement fraud and corruption in the mining companies. The most effective e‐procurement factor for preventing procurement fraud and corruption is the breaking of the monopoly of power, followed by transparency and accountability, and the least is the breaking of information asymmetry. To reduce procurement fraud and corruption, the government and organizations that manage procurement activities will now have a better understanding of the e‐procurement anti‐corruption activities and be guided as such.

Understanding the Impact of Data-Driven Tools on Advising Practice and Student Support

Universities are increasingly turning toward data-driven technologies like data dashboards to support advisors’ work in student success, yet little empirical work has explored whether these tools help or hinder best practices in advising, which is in many ways a relationship-based enterprise. This mixed-methods study analyzed whether and why the release of a student success dashboard impacted proactive and/or developmental advising at a large public university. After quantitatively demonstrating no measurable changes in advising practice following the release of the dashboard, qualitative evidence from interviews with advisors was used to interpret and explain the disconnect between the tool and the advising community. This study places scholarly attention from a practitioner perspective on the largely structural challenges to integrating retention software into advisors’ work in supporting their students’ success, with implications for the successful implementation of data-driven student success tools more broadly.

Leanne M. Kelly and Alison Rogers: Internal Evaluation in Non-profit Organisations: Practitioner Perspectives on Theory, Research, and Practice

Leanne M. Kelly and Alison Rogers: Internal Evaluation in Non-profit Organisations: Practitioner Perspectives on Theory, Research, and Practice

Examining the perspectives of practitioners toward a geospatial technology competency model

AbstractThis study is intended to provide insight into geospatial practitioners' viewpoints toward the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) Geospatial Technology Competency Model (GTCM). These viewpoints are significant since business professionals use workplace competencies for job analysis, professional certification, and defining workforce requirements. The research sought to determine the views held toward a set of geospatial competencies and provide the field with an understanding of how practitioners perceive these competency statements. Sixty‐one participants sorted 42 cards (with geospatial competency statements) on a scale of −5 to 5 and completed two short surveys with demographic and open‐ended questions. The data were evaluated using factor analysis, descriptive statistics, and a combination of high, low, and distinguishing statements to provide meaning to the viewpoints.

Qualitative evaluation of an integrated respiratory and palliative care service: patient, caregiver and general practitioner perspectives.

Objectives Integrated respiratory and palliative care services for people with advanced lung disease provide disease-orientated care until the end of life, alongside symptom management and discussions about future care. This study aimed to explore patient, caregiver and general practitioner perspectives of an integrated respiratory and palliative care service, to understand which components of the service were considered valued and effective. Methods We approached patients, caregivers and general practitioners, to participate in semi-structured phone interviews. A grounded theory approach guided data collection and qualitative analysis. Results Between July and December 2019, 10 patients, eight caregivers and five general practitioners completed interviews. The overarching theme was that of valuing integrated care - the provision of disease-orientated care along with palliative care. Four other major themes emerged: Valuing communication and engagement between patient, caregiver and healthcare professionals - who spoke of 'growing this plan together'; the delivery of person-centred care - where physicians 'actually listen and you are not treated like a number'; the reality of action plan use in serious illness - while many found plans 'certainly' do help, others described when they were simply 'too ill to do the action plan'; and finally, divergent preferences for discussions about future care - while some patients felt this subject was 'better left alone', caregivers consistently reported their preference was to 'make a plan.' Conclusion Consumer perspectives highlight the service was valued for delivering personalised care with high communication standards. Similar services should appreciate the usefulness and limitations of action plan use in advanced lung disease, and be sensitive to potential diverging preferences of the patient and caregiver when discussing future care.

“I think this could be a big success” – A mixed methods study on practitioner perspectives on the acceptance of a virtual reality tool for preparation in MRI

IntroductionA key part of a radiographer's role within MRI is providing the required emotional support to help patients succeed with a scan. Being informed is important; whilst information leaflets and videos are commonly used, these can be limited in their representation of the experience. Virtual reality tools are being shown to reasonably replicate a scan experience, having a positive impact on patient satisfaction and anxiety. The aim was to obtain the views of practitioners on the use and implementation of such a tool in practice. MethodsA mixed methods study was conducted looking at the use of a virtual scan experience for patients prior to MRI. Nine radiographers attended two focus group sessions to see the tool and undergo a virtual experience. Following this, a survey based on the technology acceptance model was completed along with a semi-structured discussion about its use. ResultsPerceived usefulness, ease of use, attitude and intention to use were all positive towards the virtual scan tool. All practitioners saw value in such a tool and how it could be implemented within practice, highlighting areas for improvement and development. ConclusionThe practitioner's perspective was that access to such a virtual scan experience could be of use to better prepare and support those patients needing extra support before a real scan. Acknowledgement of having time to discuss patient concerns was noted and this could provide a means of doing so away from busy scanning lists whilst not taking up additional time. Implications for practiceUse of VR tools could be a conduit through which trust and rapport are built in advance away from busy scanning lists, thereby not impacting on operational throughput and hindering efficiency.

Domestic abuse and child contact in Scotland: the perspectives of family law practitioners

ABSTRACT It is now well-established that children are adversely affected by domestic abuse, and that domestic abuse does not always cease following parental separation. However, the issue of post-separation child contact in the context of domestic abuse remains contentious, with some commentators arguing that contact may not always be in the ‘best interests’ of the child. In Scotland, the nature and extent of child contact applications remain under-researched, and little is known about the processes of argument and adjudication in contact decisions. This article draws on a survey of family law practitioners in Scotland undertaken to examine how, if at all, developments in domestic abuse proceedings and changing definitions in the context of criminal law in Scotland, inform the handling of child contact cases in the civil courts. The findings reveal that, whilst most respondents were of the view that information about domestic abuse strengthens the position of the party against child contact, there is a clear absence of systematic ways to gather and make available information about domestic abuse where it has occurred (or is still occurring) in cases involving child contact. The practice and policy implications of this for determining the ‘best interests’ of the child are discussed.

Process evaluation in practice based research networks: a study protocol for a mixed-methods implementation study

IntroductionGeneral practitioners often criticise clinical trials for their poor applicability in primary care, which may at least partially explain why their engagement in primary care research remains limited. In order...

Reimagining HR Practices to Attract and Engage Gig Talent: An Organisational Perspective

At a time when the gig economy and gig work are getting increasingly popular and offering infinite possibilities and solutions to age-old staffing and skilling problems, this article aims to explore the challenges and opportunities posed by this new model of engagement from the lens of information technology industry and the need for a paradigm shift in HR practices in such organisations to attract and engage gig workers. The article extensively relies on a review of the extant literature on the topic, including papers published in reputed journals, reports, news articles, podcasts, TEDx talks and perspectives of HR practitioners gathered through one-to-one interviews. The findings corroborate the need for a completely different approach to managing gig workers, including reimagining workplace structures and organisational systems, designing inclusive policies and adopting progressive HR practices to create an employer brand that resonates with gig workers.

Exploring the Interprofessional Contributions of Spiritual Health Practitioners to Prevent Compassion Fatigue in Nurses.

Few studies in academic literature involve the application of a spiritual health intervention for the purpose of mitigating compassion fatigue in nurses. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of Canadian spiritual health practitioners (SHPs) in their support for nurses to prevent compassion fatigue. Interpretive description was utilized for this research study. Sixty-minute interviews with 7 individual SHPs were conducted. Data were analyzed with NVivo 12 software (QSR International, Burlington, Massachusetts). Thematic analysis identified common themes that allowed data from interviews, a pilot project on psychological debriefing, and a literature search to be compared, contrasted, and compiled. The 3 main themes were found. The first theme highlighted the underlying issue of how spirituality is ranked or viewed within health care and the impact of leadership integrating spirituality in their practice. The second theme related to SHPs' perception of nurses' compassion fatigue and lack of connection to spirituality. The final theme explored the nature of SHP support to mitigate compassion fatigue before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Spiritual health practitioners are positioned in a unique role to be facilitators of connectedness. They are professionally trained to provide a type of in situ nurturing for patients and health care staff through spiritual assessments, pastoral counseling, and psychotherapy. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed an underlying desire for in situ nurturing and connectedness in nurses due to an increase in existential questioning, unusual patient circumstances, and social isolation leading to disconnectedness. Organizational spiritual values are recommended to be exemplified by those in leadership to create holistic, sustainable work environments.

An Insight through Various Models being used for Assessment of Depression and its Management at Primary Level in Current Scenario.

The main aim of present study to assess depression and various neurotransmitters involved in it with their evaluating models. Depression is a common ailment that can be recurrent or even become chronic. According to the National Service Framework for Mental Health (released in 1999 by the Department of Health), people with depression should continue to be treated primarily in primary care settings. Despite mounting evidence that general practitioners could do a better job of detecting and treating depression, little research has been done on the perspectives of general practitioners who treat patients who are depressed. Depression (major depressive disorder) is a widespread and significant medical condition that has a negative impact on feeling, thinking, and behaviour. The primary goal of this study was to gather data on depression, as well as to discuss several methods for evaluating antidepressant drug response based on physical activities and neurotransmitters. Antidepressant activity of various medications can be tested using two different types of studies, including in vivo and in vitro, according to the review. Depression is characterized by a persistent sense of sadness, insomnia, lack of concentration, slowness in activity, restlessness, social isolation and a loss of interest that prevents you from doing normal things. There are several types of depression, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Depression is caused by a combination of factors and conditions, rather than a single factor. Major depression is a mental condition marked by feelings of inadequacy, hopelessness, decreased activity, sadness and mood swings, which seriously disrupt and negatively affect a person's life, sometimes, leading to suicidal thoughts. The quest for a better understanding of the causes of depression and the development of more effective treatments is critical. According to clinical and preclinical research, stress appears to be a crucial mediator in the pathophysiology of depression. Using experimental models, depression may be assessed based on several physical parameters such as locomotor activity, rearing, defecation, and the number of centre square entries (in vivo and in vitro). Biological parameters may also be used to locate it. Unhappiness and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities are the symptoms of depression. It can cause emotional and physical problems, as well as a decrease in the ability to function together at work and at home. Finally it has been concluded that various neurotransmitters are involved in depression at the synaptic cleft which can be controlled using various synthetic and herbal drugs through in vitro and in vivo evaluating models.

The value of street experiments for mobility and public life: Citizens’ perspectives from three European cities

‘Street experiments’ (SE) are increasingly used to reallocate street space from traffic to space for people through temporary interventions. Existing research suggests that SE can mobilise the public in favour of post-car transitions and focuses on evaluating SE from an upscaling, public acceptability, or practitioner perspective, while there are few studies that explore what citizens value about SE in the context of everyday street life in an open-ended way. To fill this gap, this paper analyses how N = 458 citizens value five SE parklets and plazas in three neighbourhoods of London, Munich, and Bologna. We develop a primarily inductive and qualitative survey method for understanding what mobility and public life dimensions of SE that citizens value, considering both use value and the broader social meanings of street transformations. Based on empirical analysis, we develop a framework for analysing the value of SE with 10 categories spanning functional, social, safety, environmental and economic dimensions. The findings show that across all three European cities, the majority of citizens value the public life dimensions of SE more highly than SE benefits for active mobility: including the added value of SE for the attractiveness of the streetscape, making public space available for stationary activities, and creating opportunities for social and civic interaction within neighbourhoods. Our analytical approach can be used to understand citizens’ qualitative evaluations of SE, while our practitioner recommendations can help inform the design of more effective and inclusive SE interventions.

Screening for undiagnosed atrial fibrillation using a single-lead electrocardiogram at primary care visits: patient uptake and practitioner perspectives from the VITAL-AF trial

BackgroundScreening for atrial fibrillation (AF) is appealing because AF is common, when undiagnosed may increase stroke risk, and stroke is preventable with anticoagulants. This study assessed patient and primary care practitioner (PCP) acceptability of screening for AF using a 30-s single-lead electrocardiogram (SL-ECG) during outpatient visits.MethodsSecondary analyses of a cluster randomized trial. All patients ≥ 65 years old without prevalent AF seen during a 1-year period and their PCPs. Screening using a SL-ECG was performed by medical assistants during check-in at 8 intervention sites among verbally consenting patients. PCPs were notified of “possible AF” results; management was left to their discretion. Control practices continued with usual care. Following the trial, PCPs were surveyed about AF screening. Outcomes included screening uptake and results, and PCP preferences for screening.ResultsFifteen thousand three hundred ninety three patients were seen in intervention practices (mean age 73.9 years old, 59.7% female). Screening occurred at 78% of 38,502 individual encounters, and 91% of patients completed ≥ 1 screening. The positive predictive value of a “Possible AF” result (4.7% of SL-ECG tracings) at an encounter prior to a new AF diagnosis was 9.5%. Same-day 12-lead ECGs were slightly more frequent among intervention (7.0%) than control (6.2%) encounters (p = 0.07). Among the 208 PCPs completing a survey (73.6%; 78.9% intervention, 67.7% control), most favored screening for AF (87.2% vs. 83.6%, respectively), though SL-ECG screening was favored by intervention PCPs (86%) while control PCPs favored pulse palpation (65%). Both groups were less certain if AF screening should be done outside of office visits with patch monitors (47% unsure) or consumer devices (54% unsure).ConclusionsThough the benefits and harms of screening for AF remain uncertain, most older patients underwent screening and PCPs were able to manage SL-ECG results, supporting the feasibility of routine primary care screening. PCPs exposed to a SL-ECG device preferred it over pulse palpation. PCPs were largely uncertain about AF screening done outside of practice visits.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03515057. Registered May 3, 2018.

Optimization and Exploration of Office Space Design in the Post-epidemic Era

As an infectious disease that may accompany the future life of mankind for a long time, COVID19 has gradually changed people's working environment, forcing us to accelerate and deeply consider adopting a different and more flexible model to achieve sustainable work and life. This article explores the future office space model under the background of the post-epidemic era, integrates the environmental elements of office space in the current post-epidemic era from the perspective of professional practitioners, analyzes the background of the era, and research purposes, and sorts out relevant theories and materials related to office space, cases and questionnaire surveys are used as theoretical basis support. From the perspective of interior design, discuss the two aspects of people and space in the office, construct the relationship between the two, and clarify the importance of the relationship between people and the space environment in the office scene, and the necessity of physiological function and psychological construction in the work, and explore how to propose strategies for the optimization of office space design in the post-epidemic era. Strive to realize the most possible practicality and innovation of the future office space model.