Professional Contributions Research Articles

Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Applied Research: Nancy E. Betz.

This award is given to a psychologist whose research has led to important discoveries or developments in the field of applied psychology. To be eligible, this research should have led to innovative applications in an area of psychological practice, including but not limited to assessment, consultation, instruction, or intervention (either direct or indirect). Research involving the original development of procedures, methodologies, or technical skills that significantly improve the application of psychological knowledge and provide direct and immediate solutions to practical problem areas will be considered, as will research that has informed psychologists on how better to observe, define, predict, or control behavior. Original integration of existing theories or knowledge is also eligible for consideration. In previous years, this award was called the Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Knowledge. The name was changed in 2003 to better describe this award. The 2020 recipients of the APA Professional Contributions Awards were selected by the 2019 Board of Professional Affairs (BPA). For her contributions to the psychology of women, vocational psychology, and career development and to psychological measurement, including the measurement of personality and the healthy personality. In particular, for her contributions to "career self-efficacy theory" applying (with collaborator Gail Hackett) Bandura's self-efficacy theory to the study of vocational psychology and career development. Her work demonstrated that self-efficacy theory is very amenable to interventions and, thus, has been applied to promote women's interests in nontraditional fields. Finally, for her contributions in studying factors related to women's decisions about career choices and not just whether or not women worked outside the home. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Institutional Practice.

This award is intended to recognize outstanding practitioners in psychology. Nominations are considered for psychologists working in a wide variety of institutional practice settings (e.g., schools, military, state hospital, Department of Veterans Affairs). Services provided to diverse client groups or patient populations, including but not limited to children/ adolescents/adults/older adults, urban/rural/ frontier populations, minority populations, and persons with serious mental illness, are considered. Contributions are judged distinguished by virtue of peer recognition, advancement of the public's recognition of psychology as a profession, relevant professional association honors, or other meritorious accomplishments denoting excellence as a practitioner, including improvement of institutional service delivery systems or development of psychologically informed public policy. The 2020 recipients of the APA Professional Contributions Awards were selected by the 2019 Board of Professional Affairs (BPA). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Do you pay to go private?: a single centre comparison of induction of labour and caesarean section rates in private versus public patients

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare rates of induction and subsequent caesarean delivery among nulliparous women with private versus publicly funded health care at a single institution. This is a retrospective cohort study using the electronic booking and delivery records of nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies who delivered between 2010 and 2015 in an Irish Tertiary Maternity Hospital (approx. 9000 deliveries per annum).MethodsData were extracted from the National Maternity Hospital (NMH), Dublin, Patient Administration System (PAS) on all nulliparous women who delivered a liveborn infant at ≥37 weeks gestation during the 6-year period. At NMH, all women in spontaneous labour are managed according to a standardised intrapartum protocol. Twenty-two thousand two hundred thirty-two women met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 2520 (12.8%) were private patients; the remainder (19,712; 87.2%) were public. Mode of and gestational age at delivery, rates of and indications for induction of labour, rates of pre-labour caesarean section, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were examined. Rates of labour intervention and subsequent maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between those with and without private health cover.ResultsWomen attending privately were more than twice as likely to have a pre-labour caesarean section (12.7% vs. 6.5%, RR = 2.0, [CI 1.8–2.2])); this finding persisted following adjustment for differences in maternal age and body mass index (BMI) (adjusted relative risk 1.74, [CI 1.5–2.0]). Women with private cover were also more likely to have induction of labour and significantly less likely to labour spontaneously. Women who attended privately were significantly more likely to have an operative vaginal delivery, whether labour commenced spontaneously or was induced.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate significant differences in rates of obstetric intervention between those with private and public health cover. This division is unlikely to be explained by differences in clinical risk factors as no significant difference in outcomes following spontaneous onset of labour were noted. Further research is required to determine the roots of the disparity between private and public decision-making. This should focus on the relative contributions of both mothers and maternity care professionals in clinical decision making, and the potential implications of these choices.

The professional contribution of chiropractors to Danish elite football clubs: a qualitative exploration of role and perceived value in an interprofessional service provision context

BackgroundInterprofessional team-based care has been widely adopted in elite level athletic health and performance practice. Chiropractors can claim some penetration as health care service providers in high level sport. However, their position as valued members of interprofessional health care teams, especially those built around traditional medical organisational structures, is unclear. This investigation sought to explore the perceived role and value of chiropractors as service providers in elite Danish football clubs.MethodsA comparative qualitative case study was conducted. Six Danish premiere league (Superliga) clubs were purposively sampled to compare and contrast instances where chiropractors were both present and absent from the health care team. Triangulated responses were solicited from healthcare coordinators, chiropractors and athletes within each club’s organization through semi-structured individual interviews. The audio-recorded responses were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using a framework approach.ResultsData were collected September and November 2019. A coding framework of 14 codes and 4 code families emerged, centering around the role of chiropractors, benefits of utilizing chiropractic care and facilitators and barriers to interprofessional practice. From this framework, three themes were abstracted, these being: “Broadening horizons”, “In-house preferred to take-away” and “Already covered, or even necessary?”ConclusionIn this practice context, chiropractors fill the role of musculoskeletal health care service providers. Their perceived value stems from additional expert disciplinary knowledge, improved diagnostic triage and increased treatment flexibility. However, where not utilized, the role of a spinal health expert is questioned and when acknowledged, is limited to that of a technician/therapist. It is unclear from this investigation whether chiropractors can claim core provider status. Further exploration of this interesting context of interprofessional practice is warranted.

Contribuições da Estratégia Mãe-Bebê São-Borjense para a qualificação da rede de atenção à saúde materno-infantil

: Objetivo: descrever as contribuições da Estratégia Mãe-Bebê São-Borjense para a qualificação da rede de atenção à saúde materno-infantil local. Método: trata-se de pesquisa-ação desenvolvida no Município de São Borja, Rio Grande do Sul, entre março/2018 e outubro/2019, após um ano de implementação da Estratégia no referido local. Dados coletados por meio de dez grupos focais e categorizados pela Análise Focal Estratégica, com a participação de gestores locais, profissionais de saúde e gestantes, totalizando 55 participantes. Resultados: os dados, organizados e categorizados, resultaram em duas categorias: Contribuições que transcendem o fazer técnico-profissional e Contribuições com vistas à qualificação da Estratégia Mãe-Bebê São-Borjense. Conclusão: a Estratégia Mãe-Bebê São-Borjense contribuiu, de forma afirmativa e prospectiva, para a qualificação da rede de atenção à saúde materno-infantil local, especialmente no que se refere às relações e interações entre profissionais e gestantes e a (re)organização dos fluxos e processos de intervenção na rede. Descritores: Mortalidade perinatal; Assistência perinatal; Indicadores básicos de saúde; Indicadores de qualidade em assistência à saúde; Pesquisa qualitativa.

Against Stultifying Classifications, for a ‘New Humanism’: Frantz Fanon’s Contribution to Social Work’s Commitment to ‘Liberation’

Abstract Efforts to ‘decolonize’ social work, along with the contemporary resurgence of racism and fascism, might prompt a return to the work of Frantz Fanon. Mostly focusing on Black Skin, White Masks and a recent collection, Alienation and Freedom, it is argued that Fanon’s commitment to liberation and the creation of a ‘new humanism’ was reflected in both his anti-colonial politics and in his practice as a psychiatrist. A defining characteristic of Fanon’s professional role is that he tried to imbue it with same values and progressive aspirations central to his political project. It is maintained that Fanon’s aspiration to dismantle obstacles to democracy is reflected in his aspiration to confront oppressive categories pertaining to ‘race’ and also those rooted in the ‘common sense’ of the Psychiatric Hospital. In both contexts, his political and professional contributions convey significant messages for social work and chime with the ethical commitments of the profession to promote the ‘liberation of people’.

Challenges and potential improvements in hospital patient flow: the contribution of frontline, top and middle management professionals

PurposeThis study aims to describe and understand the contributions of frontline, middle and top management healthcare professionals in detecting areas of potential improvement in hospital patient flow and proposing solutions.Design/methodology/approachThis is a qualitative interview study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 22 professionals in the orthopedic department of a 250-bed academic teaching hospital. Data were analyzed through a thematic framework analytical approach by using an a priori framework. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative (COREQ) checklist for qualitative studies was followed.FindingsWhen dealing with a hospital-wide process, the involvement of all professionals, including nonhealth professionals, can reveal priority areas for improvement and for services integration. The improvements identified by the professionals largely focus on covering major gaps detected in the technical and administrative quality.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focused on the professional viewpoint and the connections between services and further studies should explore the role of patient involvement. The study design could limit the generalizability of findings.Practical implicationsImproving high-quality, efficient hospital patient flow cannot be accomplished without learning the perspective of the healthcare professionals on the process of service delivery.Originality/valueFew qualitative studies explore professionals' perspectives on patient needs in hospital flow management. This study provides insights into what produces value for the patient within a complex process by analyzing the contribution of professionals from their particular role in the organization.

Contribuições da Teoria das Necessidades Humanas Básicas para o cuidado de enfermagem durante a gravidez

Objetivou-se investigar as contribuições da Teoria das Necessidades Humanas Básicas de Wanda Horta para o cuidado de enfermagem durante a gravidez a partir das produções científicas. Revisão integrativa realizada nas bases Web of Science; Scopus; CINAHL; LILACS; MEDLINE/PUBMED e BVS com as combinações “Nursing Care AND Nursing Theory AND Pregnancy” e “Nursing Care AND Nursing Theory AND Pregnant Womam”, entre janeiro e fevereiro de 2019, incluindo artigos disponíveis eletronicamente na integra, sem restrição de idiomas e sem recorte temporal. Foram encontrados 1726 artigos, 104 foram pré-selecionados e 06 atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e compuseram a amostra. Os resultados foram discutidos em duas categorias: Contribuições da Teoria das Necessidades Humanas Básicas para a prática profissional e Contribuições da Teoria das Necessidades Humanas Básicas para as mulheres grávidas. Evidenciou-se que a utilização da teoria potencializa a visibilidade do trabalho do enfermeiro, subsidia assistência de enfermagem individualizada e aprimora registros profissionais. Salienta-se, também, que a teoria viabiliza reconhecer o perfil das gestantes, elaborar plano de cuidados individualizado e privilegia relacionamento interpessoal. Concluiu-se que a referida teoria possibilita reconhecimento e atendimento às demandas apresentadas por gestantes e solidifica conhecimentos próprios da enfermagem.

The future of health professions education: Emerging trends in the United States.

The future of health professions education: Emerging trends in the United States.

A grounded theory of educational psychologists’ mental health casework in schools: connection, direction and reconstruction through consultation

ABSTRACT Educational psychologists (EPs) in England are identified as key to specialist mental health provision in schools yet are underrepresented in policy development. This study examined EPs’ mental health casework in schools as one aspect of the professional contribution in this area. Data gathered from interviews with EPs were analysed though constructivist grounded theory (GT) methods. The resulting GT drew from psychotherapeutic attachment theories, person-centred counselling, self-determination theory, solution-focused thinking, and from ecological and consultation theories. EPs used two distinct but interacting processes in mental health casework. One involved facilitating a secure base offering emotional containment for overwhelmed adults (staff, parents). The other engaged adults in cognitively demanding problem-solving activities, challenging perceptions, leading to cognitive and behavioural change, and in turn to systemic adaptations. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Engaging clinicians to identify and prioritize disinvestment opportunities in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases: a qualitative study.

The overuse of health care interventions is a problem which has clinical and economic implications. On a clinical level this means that ineffective interventions or effective interventions in inappropriate clinical indications are used. On an economic level it refers to allocative inefficiency which implies that these resources could possibly be used for interventions of major clinical utility. The contribution of health professionals in the context of reallocation disinvestment policies is still little investigated. This study involved 25 neurologists in the process of identifying low value interventions in the management of stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. The Nominal Group Technique was applied in the context of 5 Focus Groups (FG) in order to reach a consensus to identify and prioritize disinvestment opportunities in the treatment of the 5 neurodegenerative diseases. Qualitative data were coded, categorised, and analysed, applying the six-phase approach to thematic analysis, with the support of Atlas Ti7. Within 5 categories of "low value intervention", 25 clinical interventions were identified: 6 pharmacological, 16 diagnostic, 3 clinical-therapeutic. FG findings describe: how clinicians view the issue of disinvestment, both in absolute and relative terms; the factors which contribute to the use of low-value interventions; the explicit link between the disinvestment process and the reallocation of resources. This study revealed that factors that hinder the disinvestment of inappropriate practices involve elements that are not only technical or clinical, but also relational and care-related contexts.

The Wisdom and Vision From the ACMEGS Inaugural Decade.

Concise history of fascinating magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology and catalog of very selected milestone preclinical and clinical MEG studies are provided as the background. The focus is the societal context defining a journey of MEG to and through clinical practice and formation of the American Clinical MEG Society (ACMEGS). We aspired to provide an objective historic perspective and document contributions of many professionals while focusing on the role of ACMEGS in the growth and maturation of clinical MEG field. The ACMEGS was born (2006) out of inevitability to address two vital issues-fair reimbursement and proper clinical acceptance. A beacon of accountable MEG practice and utilization is now an expanding professional organization with the highest level of competence in practice of clinical MEG and clinical credibility. The ACMEGS facilitated a favorable disposition of insurances toward MEG in the United States by combining the national replication of the grassroots efforts and teaming up with the strategic partners-particularly the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), published two Position Statements (2009 and 2017), the world's only set of MEG Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs; 2011) and surveys of clinical MEG practice (2011 and 2020) and use (2020). In addition to the annual ACMEGS Course (2012), we directly engaged MEG practitioners through an Invitational Summit (2019). The Society remains focused on the improvements and expansion of clinical practice, education, clinical training, and constructive engagement of vendors in these issues and pivotal studies toward additional MEG indications. The ACMEGS not only had the critical role in the progress of Clinical MEG in the United States and beyond since 2006 but positioned itself as the field leader in the future.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis care in Saudi Arabia: A survey of providers' perceptions.

ObjectiveProvision of care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is complex and requires the contribution of multiple healthcare professionals. Several international ALS care measures were developed to ensure optimal care for ALS patients. We looked at the rate of inconsistency in providing standard ALS care measures in Saudi Arabia (SA).MethodsA 5‐point response survey was distributed to practicing neurologists in SA. They were asked to grade their perceived consistency of accessibility for 19 items of ALS care measures at their center. The list of ALS care measures items was derived from international ALS guidelines.ResultsThe response rate from neurologists was 47.3% (62/131), and the responses of 39 neurologists who follow ALS cases were included. Most of the selected ALS care measure items, 63.1% (12/19), were perceived by 50% or more of the ALS care providers to be not consistently accessible to their patients. The perception of ALS care providers of the inconsistent accessibility for ALS patients to ALS care measures was high for communication devices (92.3%), supportive equipment such as motorized wheelchairs (76.9%), end‐of‐life discussion (74.4%), and respiratory monitoring (66.7%).ConclusionOur data show that ALS patients in SA do not have consistent access to the recommended ALS care measures.

The influence of perceived accessibility and expertise of healthcare professionals, and service austerity, on mothers' decision-making.

Mothers often make key decisions regarding their children's health. They hold core beliefs and attitudes towards healthcare providers, relying on healthcare services to provide support, advice and reassurance. It is crucial that health providers form authentic relationships with families with young children, in order to effectively provide healthcare, support and information as needed. In this paper, we explore mothers' views on the accessibility and expertise of healthcare professionals caring for their child's health. A case study, using a geographic post code as the case boundary was used. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews with mothers of children aged under five years old were conducted. Participants (n=33) were recruited from local playgroups and six focus groups (19 participants) and 14 individual interviews were conducted. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. General Practice (including general practitioners [GPs] and practice nurses) was considered to be the preferred option when seeking timely healthcare advice and information. Participant mothers were open to accessing professional advice concerning their child's health, from a range of health professionals and understood the role and potential contribution of various health professionals. However, some factors, influenced mothers' decision-making. These were captured in three themes: maternal perceptions of GPs as accessible experts; practice nurses as approachable and reassuring sources of advice; and difficulty in accessing health visiting services primarily due to service funding cuts. Further investment in primary care services, including expansion of the practice nurse role and an increase in health visiting service provision, may help to provide sufficient support for mothers seeking healthcare advice. In addition, healthcare service strategies, which engage with mothers and ensure nurses are recognised as knowledgeable, accessible, supportive and a suitable alternative to GPs, would be beneficial.

Revisiting the transnational building of a modern planning regime in Iran: the first Tehran master plan and the interplay between local and foreign planners

ABSTRACT In the late 1960s, the first Tehran Master Plan (TMP) was envisioned by a constellation of local and foreign experts. The TMP, which has been extensively studied, is usually credited to big-name planner and architect Victor Gruen. Scholars have neglected the contributions of local professionals in shaping the plan. Many depict the TMP as the product of Cold War geopolitics and a scheme directly exported to Tehran to facilitate top-down modernization promoted by the pro-American Shah. This popular narrative flattens the complexity of transnational urbanism and obscures the transformative role performed by locals therein. Through archival studies and conducting interviews with local planners involved in the TMP, this paper aims to discover the complex nexus between national and international actors and unravel how Iranian planners collaborated with foreign counterparts to negotiate Tehran’s urban problems and project the future of the city. This paper argues that Gruen served as a figurehead to validate the formation of the first planning document for Tehran by young local planners who had their own planning agenda. The conclusion argues that the transnationalism of planning practices in Iran grew out of an attempt to institutionalize a modern planning regime compatible with global standards while nurturing local experts.

A Pioneer in Context: T R Miles and the Bangor Dyslexia Unit

ABSTRACT T R (‘Tim’) Miles (1923–2008) was one of the most important pioneers of dyslexia research and treatment in the UK. He worked with dyslexics from the time of his appointment to a lectureship at Bangor in 1949 and later, with his wife, established the Dyslexia Centre there. Miles’ professional role and theoretical contribution are reasonably well documented, not least through his own autobiographical account of them. I aim to reappraise his work in the field, against a wider set of circumstances. Tim was a great all-rounder: a noted sportsman and musician, and a committed Quaker who published books on the philosophy of religion and its experiential claims. Moreover, he operated in a Welsh environment which needs explication, one where bilingualism became increasingly a matter of public debate and contestation: an issue of obvious relevance to the study of dyslexia. Miles, who famously expanded the scope of our understanding and definition of ‘dyslexia’, himself deserves a broader appreciation.

Memories of Joe Fay

This article honors memories of an admired colleague in the field of sexuality education. Joe Fay was a lifelong advocate for young people and a leader in the field of adolescent sexual and reproductive health. His career in sexual and reproductive health spanned nearly forty years until he was stricken and finally diagnosed with multiple system atrophy (MSA). Joe lived life well and admirably until March 20, 2020. Joe’s colleagues fondly recall memories of his character and professional contributions.

Measurement of nonbillable service value activities by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists in ambulatory specialty care.

Revenue-generating health care activities, generally accepted as a measure of productivity, do not account for the full range of health care activities that enhance patient care. We analyzed the quantity, duration, and type of "service value activities" performed by nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), which are nonbillable service activities that contribute to billable service provision, quality of care, and value of care. Data were obtained from ambulatory specialties at one health care institution over a 13-month period. First, descriptive statistics were calculated by time-based code for each category of provider (medical, surgical, transplant, hematology/oncology, and anesthesia). Then qualitative comments were analyzed for frequency of key words. Each provider spent an estimated average of between 3.7 and 36.5 hours per month on service value activities, with the greatest number of these activities related to orders, chart review, and documentation. More thorough exploration of the quantity and type of service value activities performed may lead to a better understanding of the role and contribution of NPs, PAs, CNSs, and other health care professionals to patient care.

Професійно-відповідальні та історико-правові настанови підготовки публічних службовців на успішність державотворення в Україні

The article highlights the topical issue of training specialists for public administration in the institutions of modern Ukrainian society for democratic transformation. The main components of the mechanisms of professionalism of future managers in order to implement them in society were underlined; the importance of forming in the future public managers the features of innovative leadership was emphasized, because innovations and diversity have become a priority for the development of public service and therefore on the agenda. Particular attention in the article is paid to the readiness of future professionals for the public management of open competitions to diagnose their individual psychological and professional qualities to be in demand, in accordance with the requirements of the time.Problem statement in general and its connection with important scientific or practical tasks. Today we are witnesses and direct participants in the formation and development of a fundamentally new era in the history of human civilization and the requirements of state-building processes in relation to democratic transformations in Ukraine. The processes of change in the practical and transformative activities of people are happening at such a speed, on such a scale and in such complex, contradictory, and sometimes threatening conditions that without proper professional and worldview awareness of the main trends of socio-political development it is impossible to ensure proper professional contribution. public administration in the case in which he is engaged.The purpose of the article is to comprehend the guidelines that will promote the professionalism, responsibility of future professionals in the system of public administration in modern institutions of power, such as the effectiveness of state-building processes in Ukraine.Conclusions. An effective state is a service state that provides quality services to its citizens, and specialists of political-administrative and economic structures are professional managers-managers who experience urgent social problems, form a program of political-administrative, socio-economic and cultural programs, effective mechanisms to address key societal issues. They are designed to put professionally responsible, professionally effective plans in the government agenda, starting from territorial communities and higher government institutions, concentrating different types of resources, working out mechanisms for implementing action plans, understanding the consequences of implementing programs for reform effectiveness. Today, effectively trained public administration professionals need to change the system of internal motivation of citizens, which is focused on success. Success can become a reality when we prepare on the basis of professional-spiritual and historical-patriotic, morally responsible guidelines of public servants of high professional efficiency, because we need managerial quality and efficiency to build a strong state - Ukraine.

Physicians' and pharmacists' perception and practice of hospital pharmacist professional role in Egypt.

This study aimed to investigate physicians' and pharmacists' perceptions of the importance of pharmacists' role in healthcare in Egypt, and actual delivery of these roles in practice. Identifying any differences and inconsistencies between these will inform future strategies that maximize pharmacists' professional contribution to hospital practice. A self-administered questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale was distributed to a convenience sample of physicians (500) and pharmacists (500) practicing in selected private or public hospitals in Egypt. The main sections of the questionnaire comprised statements that pertained to physicians'/pharmacists' views on the importance of pharmacists' roles and their actual delivery in practice. In this study, physicians showed low scores for both the importance of and the delivery of advanced patient-facing clinical pharmacy roles such as suggesting prescription medications, and designing treatment plans. In comparison, pharmacists were more positive on both of these aspects of their roles. High mean scores were reported by the physicians for pharmacist's traditional roles such as patient counselling, assessing compliance, preventing medication errors and treating minor illnesses. Both physicians and pharmacists reported poor pharmacists practice as drug information resources despite their high perception of the importance of that role. This study suggested that in hospitals in Egypt, there are significant differences between physicians' and pharmacists' perception and practice, and pharmacists' clinical skills are underutilized in health care.