Preferred Mode Of Communication Research Articles

Factors Affecting Autistic Students’ School Motivation

Factors Affecting Autistic Students’ School Motivation

Marketing for Small Business Escape Rooms and the Importance of Experiential Learning

A semi-rural Ohio escape room collaborated with a local university for an experiential learning initiative, aiming to attract more college students, retain current customers, and enhance marketing strategies. Two questionnaires were employed: one targeting college students and the other existing customers. Findings revealed a higher attendance of upperclassmen students at the escape room and email as the preferred mode of communication. Moreover, a significant correlation between escape room experience, games, food, drinks, and overall satisfaction was observed. The customer-focused survey indicated the primary demographic as individuals aged eighteen to twenty-nine, with a high satisfaction rate of ninety-seven and a half percent. Additionally, sixty-three percent expressed interest in returning for a new escape room design.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health professions students on mentorship: a cross-sectional study at a sub-Saharan African medical school

BackgroundMentoring involves the informal conveyance of knowledge, social capital, and support, as perceived by the recipient to be pertinent to aspects of work, career, and personal or professional development. Students pursuing health-related courses need access to mentorship and its benefits during their formative academic and career states. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa, many institutions have not fully embraced this despite the benefits of mentorship.AimThe primary purpose of this study was to assess medical students’ knowledge about mentorship and explore their attitudes and practices toward mentorship.MethodologyWe held an online cross-sectional study utilizing a pre-tested self-reported questionnaire targeting health professional students in the faculty of medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). The collected data were coded and summarized using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.ResultsTwo hundred eighty-three (283) students participated in this study. Of this group, 79.9% were aware of mentorship, 61% were willing to commit 1–2 h a week for mentorship, and Zoom was the preferred mode of communication; 98.2% expressed the need for a structured student-led hybrid mentorship program.ConclusionMentorship at Mbarara University of Science and Technology was considered beneficial by health professions students in the Faculty of Medicine.RecommendationFuture studies should explore accessibility to mentorship and the effectiveness of existing mentorship processes.

Communication of the diagnosis to Klinefelter subjects: an observational study on a key moment of the patient's life.

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is the most prevalent sex chromosome disorder among males. The communication of the KS diagnosis holds significant implications for the diagnosis's acceptance. Recently, the increased use of prenatal diagnostic procedures has raised the question of whether, when, and by whom information, once provided to parents, should be communicated to their children/adolescents. Currently, there is limited information on this topic. This study aims to investigate the most suitable timing, content, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) according to KS patients' suggestions for conveying the diagnosis, analyzing the impact of communicating the KS diagnosis on patients and their reception of the communication in real-life situations. Furthermore, research entails a comparison of the actual communication and the patients' preferred mode of communication. Self-reported interview data was collected from 196 adults diagnosed with KS. The interview was structured, consisting of 32 multiple-choice questions covering various areas related to diagnosis communication. Most patients with Klinefelter syndrome reported that earlier communication would have been beneficial. Communication before the age of 18 and by parents increased the likelihood of overcoming negative consequences and relying on psychological support. To mitigate the adverse effects of poorly timed and inadequately delivered communication, typically by a single person, it is advisable that such communication be carried out at the onset of adolescence by an interdisciplinary team of HCPs (including psychologists, geneticists, endocrinologists) and parents. The information provided should not solely concentrate on hormonal and fertility aspects, but also consider other factors such as psychological variables.

Eleven Best Practices to Support Learners with Disabilities in the Online Classroom

Online learning can greatly benefit learners with disabilities, provided that inclusive teaching practices and effective support systems are implemented. This article highlights 11 best practices for supporting these learners, including fostering relationships, identifying individual needs, using proactive teaching strategies, ensuring course alignment, providing emotional safety, implementing differentiation strategies, monitoring engagement, encouraging a growth mindset, establishing preferred communication modes, soliciting feedback, and adjusting teaching methods based on that feedback.

Effect of Hearing Status on Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes of Collegiate Athletes.

Collegiate athletes who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HoH) are diagnosed with concussions at a similar rate as athletes who are hearing; however, little evidence exists on knowledge and attitudes of athletes who are D/HoH toward concussions. This study aimed to examine differences in knowledge of and attitudes toward concussions between athletes who are D/HoH and athletes who are hearing. Cross-sectional research design. Of the 310 athletes who are D/HoH and 430 athletes who are hearing that were invited to participate, 90 athletes who are D/HoH, and 72 athletes who are hearing completed the survey. The Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey was used to quantify knowledge of and attitude toward concussions. The Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey consists of the concussion knowledge index (CKI) and the concussion attitudes index (CAI) subscales. Linear regressions were run to test the association of hearing status with CKI and CAI scores. Pearson correlations were performed to determine relationships between CKI and CAI for athletes who are D/HoH and athletes who are hearing. Alpha level was set a priori at P ≤ .05. Athletes who are hearing demonstrated a higher CKI component score (19.58 [2.19]) compared to athletes who are D/HoH (16.14 [3.31]; P < .001). There were no statistical differences in CAI between hearing groups (hearing: 57.18 [8.73], D/HoH: 55.97 [9.92]; P = .41). There was a moderate positive correlation between CKI and CAI (r = .58) for athletes who are D/HoH, while a weak positive correlation (r = .30) for athletes who are hearing was observed. Athletes who are D/HoH have poorer knowledge of concussions but similar attitudes toward concussion as that of athletes who are hearing. Current concussion educational interventions are in written or spoken form which may not be inclusive to athletes who are D/HoH. Health care professionals should consider an athlete's preferred communication mode to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of education.

An Analysis of Students Preferred Mode of Communication on a Pre-Degree Language Course Moodle Page at the University of the South Pacific

This study explored the modes of communication Blended and Print mode students preferred to communicate with the instructor and other students in a compulsory pre-degree English course. The modes of communication for the LLFXX students on their course (LLFXX) Moodle page were via BBB, Chat, Class News, Discussion Forum, Email, and Zoom. 80 Blended and 29 Print mode students from the main campus of the university were investigated for this study. These students filled in a questionnaire outlining their preference for the mode of communication between them, their instructors, and the other students on the LLFXX Moodle page. Spearmen’s Rank Correlation Coefficient Test in SPSS was employed to look for any correlation between the student’s age and gender and their choice of mode of communication on the LLFXX Moodle page. It was found that there is no correlation between students’ age and gender and their preferred mode of communication with the instructor or other students on the LLFXX Moodle page. Future research could involve students from the regional campuses.

Impacts of the 2019 pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus 2 on the quality of life of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and protective measures on the QoL of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) who received treatment at the Department of Rheumatology at the University Medical Centre Maribor (UCM-MB).&#x0D; Methods: A questionnaire was sent to IRD patients who visited a rheumatology outpatient clinic or were contacted by phone or virtually at least once between February 1, 2020 and May 30, 2021. The questionnaires were included if returned to UCM-MB by January 1, 2022 and were completed correctly and in full.&#x0D; Results: Of the 125 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 57 (45.6%) had no cancelled rheumatology appointments, 52 (41.6%) had one, 15 (12.0%) had two, and one patient (0.8%) had three. The most preferred mode of communication was in-person meetings with a rheumatologist (89%) and the least was a video call (1%). Only 2% of patients had problems obtaining medication during the pandemic, but none reported consequences with disease status. More than half (58%) of patients agreed with the restrictions during the pandemic and 5% stated the restrictions should be terminated. Most (70%) patients were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 and 21% reported SARS-CoV-2 infection. The mean disease activity score (DAS-28) was 3.100 ± 1.292 (rheumatoid arthritis, 3.252 ± 1.209; psoriatic arthritis, 2.927 ± 1.376; p = 0.274; t = 1.101).&#x0D; Conclusion: The pandemic and associated protective measures had deleterious effects on the QoL of IRD patients.

Preferences for Electronic Modes of Communication Among Older Primary Care Patients: Cross-sectional Survey.

Health information delivered via daily modes of communication such as email, text, or telephone reportedly supports improved health behavior and outcomes. While different modes of communication beyond clinical visits have proven successful for patient outcomes, preferences for communication modes have not been comprehensively studied among older primary care patients. We addressed this gap by assessing patient preferences for receiving cancer screening and other information from their doctors' offices. We explored stated preferences by communication modes through the lens of social determinants of health (SDOH) to gauge acceptability and equity implications for future interventions. A cross-sectional survey was mailed to primary care patients aged 45-75 years, in 2020-2021, which assessed respondents' use of telephones, computers, or tablets in daily life and their preferred modes of communication for different types of health information, including educational materials about cancer screening, tips for taking prescription medication, and protection from respiratory diseases from their doctors' offices. Respondents indicated their willingness to receive messages from their doctors' offices via each of the provided modes of communication, including telephone, text, email, patient portals, websites, and social media, on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "unwilling" to "willing." We present the percentage of respondents who indicated that they were "willing" to receive information via specific electronic mode. Chi-square tests were used to compare participants' willingness by social characteristics. In total, 133 people completed the survey (response rate 27%). The average respondent age was 64 years, 82 (63%) respondents were female, 106 (83%) were White, 20 (16%) were Black, and 1 (1%) was Asian. In total, 75 (58%) respondents had a bachelor's degree or higher; 26 (20%) resided in rural areas, 37 (29%) in suburban areas, 50 (39%) in a town, and 15 (12%) in a city. The majority, 73 (57%), reported being comfortable with their income. Preferences of respondents for electronic communication about cancer screening were distributed as follows: 100 (75%) respondents were willing to receive information from their doctor's office via their patient portal, 98 (74%) via email, 75 (56%) via text, 60 (45%) via the hospital website, 50 (38%) via telephone, and 14 (11%) via social media. About 6 (5%) respondents were unwilling to receive any communication via electronic modes. Preferences were distributed similarly for other types of information. Respondents reporting lesser income and education consistently preferred receiving telephone calls relative to other communication modes. To optimize health communication and reach a socioeconomically diverse population, telephone calls should be added to electronic communication, especially for people with less income and education. Further research needs to identify the underlying reasons for the observed differences and how best to ensure that socioeconomically diverse groups of older adults can access reliable health information and health care services.

Speech-language pathologists’ perceptions of augmentative and alternative communication in Thailand

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems are not well-known and broadly used in Thailand. To begin introducing AAC systems and interventions to children with complex communication needs in Thailand, understanding speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) perceptions toward various AAC systems is an important first step. This study assessed SLPs’ perceptions of three AAC modalities: gestural communication, communication boards, and iPad 1 -based speech-output technologies. A total of 78 SLPs watched three video vignettes of a child using each mode and rated their impressions of intelligibility, ease of learnability and use, effectiveness, and preference. Then they were asked to rate factors on visual analog scales that provided additional insights into their rationales and their preferences for AAC modalities for nonverbal clients and for themselves if they were nonverbal. The results indicated that most of the SLPs rated iPad-based speech-output technologies as being the more intelligible, effective, and preferred mode of communication. Gestural communication was rated as the easiest mode to learn and use for a child with complex communication needs. Despite infrequent use of iPad-based speech-output technologies in Thailand, SLPs’ ratings indicated high social acceptance of this modality for promoting communication abilities of children with complex communication needs. Results also revealed some biases and lack of knowledge about AAC systems in Thailand.

Design and Implementation of Haptic Prosthetic Hand for Realization of Intuitive Operation

Abstract: This project presents the design and implementation of a microcontroller-based voice activated wireless automation and hand movement system replicating using flex sensor system. As speech is the preferred mode of communication for human beings, this project intends to make the voice-oriented command for controlling the hand movements. The voice command is user independent. The system comprises of transmitting section and receiving section. Initially, the voice command is stored in the data base with the help of the function keys. Later the input voice commands are transmitted to through wireless device. The voice received is processed in the voice recognition system where the feature of the voice command is extracted and matched with the existing sample in the database. The module recognizes the voice and sends control messages to the microcontroller. This project also focuses on replicating the movements of the human hand using a plastic 3D printed hand simulation (hand frame). The flex sensors and servo motors work in co-ordination with ARDUINO to achieve this. The sensor sends the value to the ARDUINO, the ARDUINO processes the data and sends it to the servo motors. Based on the values provided the motor moves and thus the movement of the prosthetic hand is observed-replicating the motion of the hand.The functionality of the proposed project is based on myo-electric arm

Changes in remote education introduced by Polish universities of economics as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic

Purpose: To determine how remote education at Polish universities of economics changed between the first and second term of classes held during the pandemic (March-June 2020 vs. October 2020-February 2021). Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on a survey of organisational changes implemented by four Polish universities of economics (in Katowice, Kraków, Poznań, and Wrocław) as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. Findings: It was found that in the winter term 2020/21, the timeliness of educational activities noticeably improved and synchronous methods were employed more frequently, whereas email was the preferred mode of communication for tutorials in both terms. Social implications: The universities surveyed were able to respond to the crisis within a reasonably short time and continued to provide education throughout the pandemic. The findings imply that the interruption of face-to-face instruction should have little effect on their students’ employment prospects after graduation. Originality/value: The case study looks in depth at the process of organisational change forced by external circumstances at four organisations. It also illustrates the direction and magnitude of adjustments made by the selected HEIs as perceived by their students. To date, no comparable research on the subject has been published in the literature. Funding: The publication was financed from the subsidy granted to the Cracow University of Economic – Project nr 046/GAP/2022/POT. Keywords: emergency remote teaching, higher education, organizational change, Covid-19 crisis. Category of the paper: Research paper, case study.

Navigating dynamic drug shortages: a traffic light communication aid

Background: Drug shortages can occur for many reasons, including supply issues or increased demand.1 Given that this is a dynamic issue, it is essential to have a robust and universal system to communicate this information across departments. In NHS Highland, recent issues with the communication of drug shortages have led to some team members not receiving information, for example out of hours. We aimed to create a formalised pathway to communicate drug shortages and to ensure that staff are prepared for shortages so low stock can be preserved for essential cases. Methods: Discussions were held with department leads to understand the current process of how drug shortages are communicated. A process map was then created to identify areas that could be improved. The views of other staff members were gathered via discussion and an online questionnaire, including their desired communication channels. The two preferred modes of communication were via email or a visual board, and staff wanted this available on the intranet, coffee room, and as part of a daily huddle. Results: A prototype of a daily bulletin (Fig. 9) was created and presented to the department, to gain feedback. The response to the prototype was positive and led to further discussions about how complex information can be presented to teams regularly, in a visual format. Conclusions: This project has the potential to improve communication, reduce stress, and improve patient safety. It is a template that could be used for communication more widely, such as a daily operational briefing. This was a valuable project to be involved in as a medical student as it gave me a deeper understanding of how a seemingly simple issue can be complex and involve multiple stakeholders. The involvement of all key persons was essential in the evolution of the improvement idea to ensure it was usable and realistic. 1.Tucker EL, Cao Y, Fox ER, Sweet BV. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2020; 108: 1150–5

Level of satisfaction and sexual and reproductive health needs of deaf persons in Ghana: a sequential explanatory mixed method study

BackgroundThe intersection between deafness and culture in sub-Saharan African contexts such as Ghana has culminated in restricted access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. While some attention has been given to the barriers faced by deaf persons in accessing SRH services, discussion of their needs and satisfaction with SRH services is at an embryonic stage. This lends support to the use of sequential mixed-method study design to assess the level of satisfaction and SRH needs of deaf persons.MethodsThis study was guided by explanatory sequential mixed-method study design. Thus, a two-phase data collection approach was adopted. In Phase I, a 32-item questionnaire with 16 items each for satisfaction regarding SRH services and SRH needs, was used for data collection from 288 deaf persons recruited from 3 of the 16 regions in Ghana. The data were subjected to the following computations: means, t-tests, analysis of variance, correlations, and multiple regression. In Phase II, a semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from 60 participants who were drawn from the earlier pool. The interviews were subjected to thematic analysis.ResultsThe results showed of correlation and multiple analyses showed a small relationship and significant contribution of needs in the variance of satisfaction. Also, there was a convergence between both the qualitative and quantitative data as participants confirmed the lack of consideration given to the needs of deaf persons regarding SRH service provisions.ConclusionDeaf persons who took part in this study were unsatisfied with SRH services due to barriers such as sign language interpreters and inaccessible information. Consequently, they expressed the need for preferred mode of communication and expedition of awareness creation on SRH. The study findings warrant the need for policymakers to inculcate the needs of deaf person in SRH services to improve access and thus, enhance satisfaction. For instance, recommendations such as the training of health professionals in the use of sign language could be considered in future SRH policy and other implications, are discussed.

Patient Experience Ratings: What Do Breast Surgery Patients Care About?

IntroductionPatient experience is essential in the overall care; physicians often receive patient reviews evaluating their consultation encounters. Patient experience surveys can be a helpful tool to identify areas to target for improvement. We sought to evaluate what factors influenced breast surgery patients' reviews of their clinic visits.MethodsProspective surveys from 2018-2020 were reviewed from a single institution. Surveys were sent to all patients within 48 hours after visiting one of our breast surgery clinics, and patients were asked their preferred mode of contact for the survey. Patients responded to surveys with scores of 0-10, with 0 as "not likely" and 10 "extremely likely" to recommend the provider's office. Scores 0-6 were considered negative, 7-8 neutral, and 9-10 positive. Positive/Negative comments from patients were reviewed and classified according to mention of surgeon, clinic staff/team, clinic processing, and facility amenities.Results744 out of 2205 patients contacted responded to the survey, resulting in a 33.7% response rate. Of this cohort, 47.6% (354/744) were new patients, and 52.4% (390/744) were established patients. Interactive voice response (IVR) and email, per patient indicated preferred mode of survey communication, had the highest responses. The average patient score was 9.5. Most ratings were positive (91.3%, 679/744), followed by neutral comments (5.2%, 39/744). There were 3.5% (26/744) which were negative ratings. Of those who responded, 47.7% (355/744) left a comment with their score. Surgeon-specific remarks were often noted in positive comments, followed by clinic staff/team comments. Negative comments most commonly referenced clinic processes.ConclusionPatient satisfaction surveys provide a window into creating the best patient experience. Further efforts to address these factors affecting patient experiences should be made to continue improving patient care.

A New Block Based Non-Blind Hybrid Color Image Watermarking Approach Using Lifting Scheme and Chaotic Encryption Based on Arnold Cat Map

Online platforms became preferred mode of communication due to advancement in communication technology. Sharing of digital documents over online communication medium grown exponentially and thus demanded a secure, robust and transparent watermarking technique for authenticity of digital media and copyright protection. This research study proposes a robust and secure non-blind SVD-LWT watermarking technique. Color images are employed instead of gray scale images and Y channel of YCbCr color model is utilized to embed secret digital information. The selected color model is in accordance with the human visual system and Y channel is ideal for data hiding. Two level LWT, SVD is used and diagonal matrix of Y channel of host (cover) and watermark image along with scaling factor (α) is used to embed digital data. Block based and chaotic image encryption transform are used for image scrambling. The performances of presented watermarking scheme evaluated with the aid of fidelity parameters namely MSE, PSNR, SSIM and NCC.

Multi-Generational Perspectives on the Competencies Required of First-Line Nurse Managers: A Phenomenological Study.

First-line nurse managers play an integral role in ensuring team and organizational effectiveness and quality of care. They are facing increasing challenges arising from the need to lead a generation-diverse workforce. Further research that examines multi-generational perspectives on the competencies of first-line nurse managers is warranted. This paper aimed to elucidate multi-generational perspectives on the competencies required of first-line nurse managers based on their lived experiences and perceptions, as well as those of frontline nurses. A descriptive phenomenological approach was adopted. A total of 48 informants were invited to individual semi-structured interviews to share their perspectives on the competencies required of first-line nurse managers. Findings were analyzed using Van Kaam’s controlled explication method. Four themes that described four areas of competency were generated: (1) advocating for the interests of the staff, (2) allocating resources effectively, (3) building cohesive teams, and (4) embracing change and quality. The findings indicated that there were significant discrepancies among the different generations of informants in terms of their degree of commitment to work, preferred modes of team communication and collaboration, and perspectives on the role and function and preferred leadership styles of first-line nurse managers. This study fell short in examining the experiences of Generation Z nurses, and the findings are subject to further validation by larger samples. However, this study has implications for hospital administrators, nurse educators, and managers, encouraging them to rethink the notion of management competencies to develop effective strategies for leading a multi-generational workforce.

How You Talk About It Matters: Cultural Variation in Communication Directness in Romantic Relationships

Communication plays an integral role in shaping romantic relationship quality. Yet, little is known about whether people from different cultural backgrounds communicate differently in their romantic relationships. Here, we addressed this issue by examining (a) whether the extent to which individuals communicate directly or indirectly in their romantic relationships varies by culture, (b) what mechanism underlies these cultural differences, and (c) how the fit between culture and communication style contributes to expected relationship satisfaction. Three key findings emerged across three studies (total N = 1,193). First, Chinese preferred indirect (vs. direct) communication more than European Americans, and this effect was more strongly pronounced in positively (vs. negatively) valenced situations (Studies 1–3). Second, interdependent (vs. independent) self-construal mediated the cultural difference in indirect communication both in positive and negative situations (Study 3). Finally, both cultural groups anticipated greater relationship satisfaction when they imagined their partner using the culturally preferred mode of communication—that is, indirect communication for Chinese and direct communication for European Americans (Study 3). These findings advance theory on culture and romantic relationship processes by demonstrating cultural differences in preferred communication styles across different situational contexts, identifying self-construal differences underlying these preferred communication styles, and highlighting the importance of congruence between culture and communication style for the quality of relationships.

Acceptability and feasibility of a messenger-based psychological chat counselling service for children and young adults (“krisenchat”): A cross-sectional study

BackgroundAdolescence represents a vulnerable period to experience personal crises or mental health problems. However, many concerns stay unnoticed due to the hesitance of young people to seek help and the unavailability and inaccessibility of appropriate help services. Contemporary interventions have been developed incorporating with target group specific needs and preferred modes of communication. krisenchat (German for “crisis chat”) is a German low-threshold chat-based psychosocial crisis counselling service that is available around-the-clock. Despite the growing number of online support services, there is a dearth of research regarding the acceptability, usability, and feasibility. MethodsThe present cross-sectional study analyzed retrospective anonymous data on sociodemographic variables, utilization behavior, and user satisfaction of all krisenchat users between May 2020 and July 2021. Predictors of user satisfaction were identified using exploratory multiple regression analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted using chi-square-tests to identify differences in user satisfaction. ResultsData of N = 6962 users was included in the analysis. More than 50% of those reported not having contacted the professional health care system before. The mean user of krisenchat was 17 years old (M = 16.6, SD = 3.5), female (female: 83.4%, male: 14.7%, diverse: 1.8%), and first approached the service at 4 PM (M = 4:03 PM, SD = 5:44 h). More than 60% of the users contacted the service between 4 PM and 12 AM, 10% even between 12 AM and 8 AM. The most frequent chat topics were concerns regarding psychiatric symptoms (60.1%), psychosocial (34.0%) or emotional distress (30.2%). The majority of the users (64.7%) reported high levels of satisfaction and 88.3% a high likelihood (60% or more) of recommending krisenchat to others. Also, the results indicate that the number of messages and their respective length differed between users and counsellors, with users writing several, but shorter messages and counsellors replying with fewer, but longer messages. ConclusionThe results of the present study imply a high acceptability and feasibility of krisenchat. Overall, there is a high need for a 24/7 messenger-based chat counselling service in crises for children and young adults. Currently, there is no other online service for youth that is available after 7 PM or at weekends, which indicates the great importance of krisenchat and its function to bridge a current gap in the mental health care system. A need for further research emerges e.g., for subgroup differences regarding utilization patterns and also for further insights regarding help-seeking behavior via social media in youth. Study registrationDRKS00026671.

Staying Connected: Using Quality Improvement to Bridge the Communication Gap Between Pediatric Hospitalists and Primary Care Providers.

Staying Connected: Using Quality Improvement to Bridge the Communication Gap Between Pediatric Hospitalists and Primary Care Providers.