Qualitative Study Research Articles

Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Nursing Home Residents', Families', and Staff's Perceptions of Bioethical Principles: A Qualitative Study.

In this study, we employed a pre-interview survey and conducted interviews with nursing home staff members and residents/family members to understand their perceptions of whether the COVID-19 restrictions fulfilled obligations to nursing home residents under various principles, including autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and privacy. We conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with staff members from 14 facilities, and 20 with residents and/or family members from 13 facilities. We used a qualitative descriptive study design and thematic analysis methodology to analyze the interviews. Findings from the pre-interview survey indicated that, compared to nursing home staff, residents and their families perceived lower adherence to bioethics principles during the pandemic. Qualitative analysis themes included specific restrictions, challenges, facility notifications, consequences, communication, and relationships between staff and residents/family members. Our study exposes the struggle to balance infection control with respecting bioethical principles in nursing homes, suggesting avenues for improving processes and policies during public health emergencies.

Organizational silence and hidden threats to patients' dignity with schizophrenia: A qualitative study.

Maintaining patients' dignity is a key ethical requirement in healthcare and is emphasized in nursing standards. This issue is particularly significant for patients with schizophrenia because they face unique challenges such as physical and psychological difficulties, dependence on others, and social isolation, making them more vulnerable. Organizational factors can either threaten or preserve their dignity. However, there is little knowledge in this domain within the sociocultural context of Iran. This study aimed to explore the role of the healthcare organization in the dignity of patients with schizophrenia, based on the opinions of patients, healthcare personnel, and family caregivers. This qualitative study was conducted with 26 participants (16 patients, 4 family caregivers, 2 nurses, 3 psychologists, and 1 service worker) who were selected using a purposeful sampling method. The data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth face-to-face interviews until data saturation was reached. The data were analyzed via Graneheim and Lundman's method. The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Urmia University of Medical Sciences (IR.UMSU.REC.1401.099). Based on data analysis, participants reported the three following challenges as organizational hidden threats to patients' dignity: "Lack of facilities," "premature management," and "ineffective communication." The study findings indicated that the healthcare organization does not support the dignity of patients. Management inefficiency and lack of facilities are evident in psychiatric hospitals, and healthcare centers are not monitored based on standard criteria. Limited interactions between healthcare personnel and patients were identified as the main reasons for the neglect of patients with schizophrenia and the violation of their dignity. The results of this study can help healthcare policymakers in designing and implementing effective programs to preserve the dignity of patients with schizophrenia.

Patient-reported observations on medical procedure timeliness (PROMPT) in breast cancer: a qualitative study.

Timeliness of care is an important healthcare outcome measure. The objective of this study was to explore patient perspectives on the timeliness of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment at accredited breast cancer centers. In this qualitative study, 1hour virtual interviews were conducted with participants 18-75years old who were diagnosed and treated for stage 0-III breast cancer at a National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers facility from 2018 to 2022. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes of participant experiences. Twenty-eight participants were interviewed. Two thematic domains were identified: etiologies of expedited or delayed care and the impact of delayed or expedited care on patients. Within these domains, multiple themes emerged. For etiologies of expedited or delayed care, participants discussed (1) the effect of scheduling appointments, (2) the COVID-19 pandemic, (3) dissatisfaction with the timeline for various parts of the diagnostic workup, and (4) delays related to patient factors, including socioeconomic status. For the impact of expedited or delayed care, patients discussed (1) the emotional and mental impact of waiting, (2) the importance of communication and clear expectations, and (3) the impact of electronic health portals. Patients desired each care interval (e.g., the time from mammogram to breast biopsy) to be approximately 7days, with longer intervals sometimes preferred prior to surgery. These patient interviews identify areas of delay and provide patient-centered, actionable items to improve the timeliness of breast cancer care.

Nova Scotia's Deemed Consent for Deceased Organ Donation: Family Member Perspectives and Experiences in the ICU Setting.

The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of family members of potential organ donors in the intensive care unit following the change to deemed consent legislation in Nova Scotia. This was a qualitative study with semistructured, in-depth interviews with 17 family members who were asked to make an organ donation decision on behalf of patients admitted to the intensive care unit in Nova Scotia. We analyzed themes using a descriptive approach. Participants were recruited from the organ donation organization in Nova Scotia, Canada. Participant awareness and knowledge of the Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act legislation varied from individuals having no awareness and knowledge of the bill to those who had awareness and optimism that the legislation would be beneficial for increasing organ donation rates in the province. Other themes emerging from the interviews included (1) COVID context, (2) quality of healthcare professional care, (3) family support, and (4) barriers to donation (waiting, consent questionnaire, and patient transfers). The Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act legislation included enhanced support, which was viewed positively by family members. There is a need for continued evaluation as most participants felt it was too early to see the tangible impacts of the newly implemented legislation.

BRCA awareness and testing experience in the UK Jewish population: A qualitative study

BRCA awareness and testing experience in the UK Jewish population: A qualitative study

Challenges, Opportunities, and possible Interventions in the Biogas sector in Rural areas of Limpopo, South Africa

Biogas technology offers a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for addressing energy needs, particularly in rural areas. Despite its potential benefits, the adoption of biogas technology in rural Limpopo, South Africa, remains limited. This paper critically examines the factors hindering its uptake. Using an exploratory approach (Qualitative study), data were gathered through interview guide, field surveys, literature reviews, and expert opinions. The analysis indicates that while biogas is a superior thermal option for household energy crises, several challenges need resolution. Key obstacles include ineffective strategies for promoting biogas in Limpopo. Understanding stakeholder perspectives—such as government bodies, local communities, and private enterprises—is crucial for developing strategies to increase biogas use. Necessary interventions include training, capacity-building, and educational awareness initiatives in rural areas to boost adoption. The financial sector's role in renewable energy is critical, especially as cleaner fuels gain attention. Despite its significant benefits in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing household energy security, biogas technology's acceptance and use remain low.

Australian rural emergency nurses' care of paediatric patients: A qualitative study

BackgroundRural emergency nurses (RENs) are expected to provide care to paediatric patients presenting to their facilities however, as generalist nurses, they experience challenges and feelings that are unique to the rural context. Design and methodsAn exploratory qualitative study of 13 RENs via semi structured interviews of perceptions and experiences of caring for paediatrics and self-determination of autonomous practice, motivations and connectedness in care was the approach used. FindingsInductive thematic analysis of data identified four themes with sub-themes identified within each theme. The four themes were: Caring for Children, Professional Roles, Professional Care and Connection and Professional Development. ConclusionRENs describe feeling fear, stress and anxiety when caring for sick children, particularly when known to the patient and family in their community yet will self-determine autonomous practice and use gatekeeping in certain situations of paediatric care. RENs are motivated to increase their paediatric knowledge and skills, seeking paediatric education opportunities but face barriers in attendance such as travel and costs. RENs rely on connectedness with other rural nurses, seeking paediatric nursing guidance or telehealth support, particularly when performing multiple roles or in the absence of a doctor in the ED. Practice implicationsProvision of opportunities for RENs to lead education in paediatric nursing, that is contextually appropriate and co-designed with paediatric experts is preferred. This would yield greater REN engagement and participation in paediatric education for knowledge and skill proficiency, would increase rural nurse professional development and reduce feelings of fear and anxiety when caring for paediatrics.

The development of the water supply on the Peloponnese in Greco-Roman times

It has long been clear that the water supply in ancient Greece was transformed over time, with the relative number of various types of water sources varying in time and space. Yet, what patterns this produced has never been explored, and the degree to which trends suggested by local or qualitative studies are representative for larger areas and patterns is unknown. The root of this uncertainty lies largely in the difficulty assembling an extensive and representative material beyond individual sites or cities. Following this, the present article has two aims. The first is to test and evaluate a method for collecting an extensive and (more) representative material for the investigation of the water supply in ancient Greece on a regional scale, based on a systematic review of the material from the Peloponnese published in Archaeological Reports 1887–2012. The second aim is to discuss how the collected data can be used to explore the transformations of the water supply systems on the Peloponnese in the period 900 BC–AD 300. Together the results are intended to develop further the WaterWorks project, which aims to create a better understanding of the development of the ancient water supply. The method produced a considerably better dataset than previously available. The dataset, recorded in an Access database, suggests that some hitherto acknowledged trends are probably valid for larger areas while others are less prominent than previously believed. However, in the end, the dataset is too limited to allow firm conclusions concerning how, and to a larger degree why, the water supply system was transformed over time. The dataset will be made publicly accessible in an open access repository.

Employability on vocational high school students in the ”3T” area Bawean Island

Vocational high schools in ”3T” area on Bawean Island have limitations in human resources quality, equipment, production or practice tools, and industrial partnership, which differed from the vocational high schools located in advanced and developed areas. This research objective is to discover the description of employability to the vocational high school students in ”3T” area in Bawean island. The research method applied was the qualitative method using the phenomenology approach. The data collection was obtained through semi-structured interviews. This research participant was eight students at vocational high school "X," "Y," "Z," and "W" schools in Bawean Island, which is one of the ”3T” area. The analysis method in this research was content analysis. This research result shows that students in the ”3T” area were showing their effort to prepare themselves in facing the job market by enhancing their employability in learning activities within the class or practice in the laboratory. The students' employability includes skills, knowledge, comprehension, personality, career identity, social and human relations, and personal adaptability. Students realize that they are in the "3T" area and must work harder to improve their work skills so as not to lose their jobs.

Throtel, throttel, trottel or trotel. Engineering Undergraduates’ Perception of the Use of Kahoot! to Review Course Content

Education has undergone a fundamental change driven by technological advances, significantly altering the way teaching and learning is conceptualized in the classroom. Currently the variety of learning and teaching platforms is extensive and in general, these have been very well received by language teachers. The use of these platforms is often driven by teachers’ eagerness to keep students motivated, engaged, and focused throughout a class. This exploratory study investigates engineering undergraduates’ perceptions of integrating Kahoot! (a Game-based Student Response System (GSRS)) to review technological vocabulary and grammar before their unit tests. Students’ perceptions were assessed using quantitative and qualitative methods throughout one semester. The findings indicated that students found the use of Kahoot! to be beneficial in relation to: (1) improving technological vocabulary in English (2) review more complex grammatical structures; (3) enjoy a more relaxed classroom environment. Finally, the present article presents some implications that may be useful to language lecturers.

Chinese nouns are mass nouns: An information-theoretic computational proof

The mass–count distinction in Mandarin Chinese has been heatedly debated in linguistics. Previous research investigated the mass–count distinction primarily through qualitative methods. Our study applied mutual information and created three variation conditions to explore the relationship between Chinese nouns and the individuation function of classifiers. Furthermore, we examined the mass–count distinction by quantitatively analyzing 1,000 instances of Num–CL–N (numeral–classifier–noun) structures. The computational results indicate that the individuation function of classifiers is influenced by noun homogeneity. Moreover, we argue that Chinese nouns exhibit an inclination for homogeneity and the deep semantic processing of nouns is similar to classes or sets, providing evidence for the broad mass noun hypothesis and the collective-name hypothesis in the philosophy of language.

Teachers with a refugee background work as educators in Germany

This study's focus is to determine refugee teachers' views regarding their ability to work as teachers in Germany, their initiatives, and the challenges they face. In this context, the study was conducted based on qualitative research methodology. In order to collect data a total of 265 teachers residing in the 16 states of Germany were reached. Upon examining the results, it is observed that the majority of participants express a desire to work as teachers in Germany, while only a few have actually obtained the opportunity to work as teachers in Germany. More than half of the participants who are currently working as teachers reside in the North Rhine-Westphalia state. When analyzing the results, it becomes evident that a significant portion of the participants are strongly inclined to pursue a teaching career in Germany. However, the data reveals that the actual attainment of employment as teacher in Germany remains relatively low among the respondents. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that a majority of the teachers currently employed in the profession are concentrated in the North Rhine-Westphalia state.

Sustainable Business Strategies: Exploring the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility and Virtual Reality in Enhancing Brand Value

This study explores the intersection of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in developing sustainable business strategies that enhance brand value. Employing a qualitative research methodology through a comprehensive literature review and library research, the paper investigates how CSR initiatives, when integrated with immersive VR technologies, contribute to long-term brand equity and consumer engagement. The research highlights CSR's evolving role in aligning corporate activities with social and environmental goals, which not only strengthens stakeholder relationships but also increases brand loyalty. In parallel, VR technologies are gaining traction in marketing and brand communication, offering immersive experiences that create deeper emotional connections with consumers. The study analyzes recent case studies and academic discussions, illustrating how VR can enhance CSR's impact by making initiatives more accessible and engaging to a broader audience. This synergy between CSR and VR not only fosters a stronger brand identity but also provides a competitive advantage by differentiating brands in an increasingly socially conscious marketplace. The findings suggest that businesses leveraging CSR strategies alongside VR can cultivate a sustainable brand narrative that resonates with both customers and stakeholders, thereby improving overall brand value and driving sustainable growth. Future research is encouraged to further examine specific industries where these strategies can be most effectively implemented.

Understanding the severity of attachment injury-related stress symptoms via the reasons for forgiveness and unforgiveness identified by injured romantic partners

IntroductionFailure to provide comfort and care to a romantic partner in a moment of need for support can result in feelings of betrayal and abandonment, and impact trust. This type of relationship trauma is referred to as an attachment injury, which can have negative psychological consequences for the injured partner and for some, it is more difficult to adjust. It appears that forgiveness favors reconciliation in couples who have experienced an attachment injury, whereas unforgiveness can prevent its resolution. But, are the reasons for forgiving or not forgiving a partner associated with adjustment to an attachment injury in injured partners? ObjectivesThis mixed-methods (qualitative and quantitative) study aimed to (1) identify the reasons for forgiving and not forgiving an attachment injury and to organize these reasons into themes, and (2) examine the associations between the forgiveness and unforgiveness themes and the severity of injury-related stress symptoms. MethodA total of 84 participants who forgave and 50 who did not forgive their partner provided reasons for their decision and completed a measure of injury-related stress symptoms. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis and multiple regressions. ResultsSeven themes of reasons for forgiveness and eleven themes of reasons for unforgiveness were identified. The forgiveness theme Strong partner commitment to repairing the injury on the part of the injuring partner was associated with lower injury-related stress symptoms, whereas the forgiveness theme I understand my partner and/or the context in which the injury occurred was associated with higher injury-related stress symptoms. The themes of reasons for unforgiveness were not significantly associated with injury-related stress symptoms. ConclusionThis study provides a foundation for the development of a psychosocial model of forgiveness and unforgiveness among partners who experienced an attachment injury in their romantic relationship.

Unleashing the secrets of academic writing: exploring Indonesian language courses in higher education

Academic writing has been a widely substantial course in higher education as it plays a vital role in cultivating students’ academic writing skills. Drawing on qualitative descriptive study, this study aims to explore the fundamental requirements for academic writing to base the creation of an effective learning framework. Data consisted of teaching materials, semester learning plan (SLP), assessment tools, and guidelines for academic writing from three universities in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. Findings reveal that learning materials and the SLP have both strengths and weaknesses. Despite these, there is diversity in learning and assessment methods. Adopted teaching methods encompass project-based learning, problemsolving, and lectures, while learning assessment includes portfolio techniques, project assessment, and written exams. These findings provide insight into the imperative of academic writing in the academic setting. This serves as a basis for the development of more effective learning methods. Thus, the proposed model for academic writing adopts a project-based approach to improve students’ writing by integrating indigenous wisdom to promote students' character development.

An Exploratory Expert-Study for Multi-Type Haptic Feedback for Automotive Virtual Reality Tasks.

Previous research has shown that integrating haptic feedback can improve immersion and realism in automotive VR applications. However, current haptic feedback approaches primarily focus on a single feedback type. This means users must switch between devices to experience haptic stimuli for different feedback types, such as grabbing, collision, or weight simulation. This restriction limits the ability to simulate haptics realistically for complex tasks such as maintenance. To address this issue, we evaluated existing feedback devices based on our requirements analysis to determine which devices are most suitable for simulating these three feedback types. Since no suitable haptic feedback system can simulate all three feedback types simultaneously, we evaluated which devices can be combined. Based on that, we devised a new multi-type haptic feedback system combining three haptic feedback devices. We evaluated the system with different feedback-type combinations through a qualitative expert study involving twelve automotive VR experts. The results showed that combining weight and collision feedback yielded the best and most realistic experience. The study also highlighted technical limitations in current grabbing devices. Our findings provide insights into the effectiveness of haptic device combinations and practical boundaries for automotive virtual reality tasks.

Utilizing fillers for addressing speaking challenges, improving self-confidence and motivation in EFL learning

This qualitative case study aimed to explore fillers usage to address speaking challenges related to the improvement of self-confidence and motivation in speaking practices done by two English foreign language (EFL) learners of the English department of one of the Islamic Universities in Malang, Indonesia. Data were collected through observations and in-depth interviews to two students employing filler strategies to address speaking challenges related to the improvement of self-confidence and motivation during their speaking exercises. The research revealed that both learners used fillers to address speaking challenges during the conversation due to their linguistic components’ shortage such as a limited mastery of vocabularies and having a little understanding on grammar. Fillers might bring them to have more self-confidence in speaking practices shown by not being afraid of making mistakes when they practice speaking with their speaking partners. Fillers might bring them to have more motivation in speaking shown by their enthusiasm to get involved in the discussion whether in group or class discussions. Thus, fillers usage is prominent due to its potential to address speaking challenges, enhance self-confidence and motivation, eventually contributing to an overall improvement in language proficiency particularly in speaking skill.

Not in the file: How competency committees work with undocumented contributions.

Competence committees (CCs) centre their work around documentation of trainees' performance; undocumented contributions (i.e. informal, unrecorded material like personal judgements, experiential anecdotes and contextual information) evoke suspicion even though they may play a role in decision making. This qualitative multiple case study incorporates insights from a social practice perspective on writing to examine the use of undocumented contributions by the CCs of two large post-graduate training programmes, one in a more procedural (MP) speciality and the other in a less procedural (LP) one. Data were collected via observations of meetings and semi-structured interviews with CC members. In the analysis, conversations were organised into triptychs of lead-up, undocumented contribution(s), and follow-up. We then created thick descriptions around the undocumented contributions, drawing on conversational context and interview data to assign possible motivations and significance. We found no instances in which undocumented contributions superseded the contents of a trainee's file or stood in for missing documentation. The number of undocumented contributions varied between the MP CC (six instances over two meetings) and the LP CC (22 instances over three meetings). MP CC discussions emphasised Entrustable Professional Activity (EPA) observations, whereas LP CC members paid more attention to narrative data. The divergent orientations of the CCs-adding an 'advis[ing]/guid[ing]' role versus focusing simply on evaluation-offers the most compelling explanation. In lead-ups, undocumented contributions were prompted by missing and flawed documentation, conflicting evidence and documentation at odds with members' perceptions. Recognising other 'red flags' in documentation often required professional experience. In follow-ups, purposes served by undocumented contributions varied with context and were difficult to generalise; we, therefore, provide deeper analysis of two vignettes to illustrate. Our data suggest undocumented contributions often serve best efforts to ground decisions in documentation. We would encourage CC practices and policies be rooted in more nuanced approaches to documentation.

Caring for the child with a tracheostomy through the eyes of their caregiver: A photovoice study

PurposeThis qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore the daily experiences of caregivers of children with medical complexity with a tracheostomy at home. MethodsThis study used photovoice, a participatory action research methodology. Adult English-speaking caregivers of children with a tracheostomy, living in Texas, with access to a smartphone were recruited. Photographs taken by participants and an interview guide were used to guide semi-structured interviews with caregivers. ResultsEight participants were recruited. After analyzing photographs and caregiver interviews, four main themes were identified: role transition, daily challenges, finding support, and thriving in the new normal. ConclusionsCaregivers take on multiple roles, including providing medical care, advocating for their children, and educating others. While facing emotional challenges such as guilt, fear, and exhaustion, caregivers rely on external support systems, emphasizing the need for nurses and healthcare providers to provide comprehensive support and improve the accessibility of home nursing services. Practice implicationsThe findings of this study can inform nurse-led interventions and advocacy efforts aimed at supporting marginalized children with medical complexity with a tracheostomy and their families. These efforts may include enhancing communication and collaboration between families, healthcare workers, and the public, providing comprehensive, proactive support for caregivers, and improving access to home nursing services.

Negative and Positive Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canadians With Developmental Disabilities: AOne-Year Ontario-Based Survey.

Understanding the experiences of people with developmental disabilities during the initial period of COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers completed baseline and up to five follow-up online surveys using the CRISIS-AFAR measures, between July 2020 and September 2021. We used qualitative (thematic analysis) and quantitative (MANOVA) analytic methods. One hundred and eighteen participants (64 caregivers on individuals 6-62 years, 54 self-reporting individuals aged 17-55 years) completed baseline survey; 46 participants (23 caregivers, 23 self-reporting adults) completed ≥1 follow-up. Qualitative themes included uncertainty, and negative and positive influences on behaviours and routines, daily life and mental wellness. Those experiencing positive impacts did not stably perceive so longitudinally. Despite both negative and positive influences on individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, the prolonged pandemic had wide-ranging repercussions. Emergency preparedness planning should consider the disruptive effects of public health measures on routine and support for this vulnerable population.