Recruitment Interview Research Articles

“Pain is forgotten where gain follows:” The masking effect of positive outcomes on emotional suffering

Previous research has shown that people tend to overstate or understate their past feelings in memory when asked to recall their past emotional experiences. Drawing from cognitive reappraisal theory and mood congruence theory, we presented an integrative explanation that the type of outcome of stressful events influences the magnitude and direction of bias in emotional memory. The results of two studies showed that individuals who succeeded in a postgraduate recruitment interview or a job interview tended to overstate positive emotions and understate negative emotions. In contrast, individuals who failed in an interview understated positive emotions and overstated negative emotions. This phenomenon can be named “pain is forgotten where gain follows.” These results shed light on the controversy between mood congruent theory and the appraisal model as well as application values in intervention research on emotional biases.

CONTRACT Study - CONservative TReatment of Appendicitis in Children (feasibility): study protocol for a randomised controlled Trial

BackgroundCurrently, the routine treatment for acute appendicitis in the United Kingdom is an appendicectomy. However, there is increasing scientific interest and research into non-operative treatment of appendicitis in adults and children. While a number of studies have investigated non-operative treatment of appendicitis in adults, this research cannot be applied to the paediatric population. Ultimately, we aim to perform a UK-based multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test the clinical and cost effectiveness of non-operative treatment of acute uncomplicated appendicitis in children, as compared with appendicectomy. First, we will undertake a feasibility study to assess the feasibility of performing such a trial.Methods/designThe study involves a feasibility RCT with a nested qualitative research to optimise recruitment as well as a health economic substudy. Children (aged 4–15 years inclusive) diagnosed with acute uncomplicated appendicitis that would normally be treated with an appendicectomy are eligible for the RCT. Exclusion criteria include clinical/radiological suspicion of perforated appendicitis, appendix mass or previous non-operative treatment of appendicitis. Participants will be randomised into one of two arms. Participants in the intervention arm are treated with antibiotics and regular clinical assessment to ensure clinical improvement. Participants in the control arm will receive appendicectomy. Randomisation will be minimised by age, sex, duration of symptoms and centre. Children and families who are approached for the RCT will be invited to participate in the embedded qualitative substudy, which includes recording of recruitment consultants and subsequent interviews with participants and non-participants and their families and recruiters. Analyses of these will inform interventions to optimise recruitment. The main study outcomes include recruitment rate (primary outcome), identification of strategies to optimise recruitment, performance of trial treatment pathways, clinical outcomes and safety of non-operative treatment. We have involved children, young people and parents in study design and delivery.DiscussionIn this study we will explore the feasibility of performing a full efficacy RCT comparing non-operative treatment with appendicectomy in children with acute uncomplicated appendicitis. Factors determining success of the present study include recruitment rate, safety of non-operative treatment and adequate interest in the future RCT. Ultimately this feasibility study will form the foundation of the main RCT and reinforce its design.Trial registrationISRCTN15830435. Registered on 8 February 2017.

An observational study showed that explaining randomization using gambling-related metaphors and computer-agency descriptions impeded randomized clinical trial recruitment

ObjectivesTo explore how the concept of randomization is described by clinicians and understood by patients in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and how it contributes to patient understanding and recruitment. Study Design and SettingQualitative analysis of 73 audio recordings of recruitment consultations from five, multicenter, UK-based RCTs with identified or anticipated recruitment difficulties. ResultsOne in 10 appointments did not include any mention of randomization. Most included a description of the method or process of allocation. Descriptions often made reference to gambling-related metaphors or similes, or referred to allocation by a computer. Where reference was made to a computer, some patients assumed that they would receive the treatment that was “best for them”. Descriptions of the rationale for randomization were rarely present and often only came about as a consequence of patients questioning the reason for a random allocation. ConclusionsThe methods and processes of randomization were usually described by recruiters, but often without clarity, which could lead to patient misunderstanding. The rationale for randomization was rarely mentioned. Recruiters should avoid problematic gambling metaphors and illusions of agency in their explanations and instead focus on clearer descriptions of the rationale and method of randomization to ensure patients are better informed about randomization and RCT participation.

Turnover among Filipino nurses in Ministry of Health hospitals in Saudi Arabia: causes and recommendations for improvement.

BACKGROUNDNurse turnover is a critical challenge for healthcare organizations as it results in a decreasing nurse/patient ratio and increasing costs.AIMIdentify factors influencing the termination of Filipino nurses in Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals and record nurse recommendations to improve retention.DESIGNCross-sectional.METHODSData was gathered from a convenience sample of Filipino nurses with previous experience in MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia who attended recruitment interviews at the Saudi employment office in Manila.RESULTSThe sample included 124 nurses. Major turnover factors included low salary (18.3%), low nurse/patient ratio (15%), end of contract (14.5%), discrimination (13.5%), and bad accommodations (9%). Suggested areas of improvement included financial motivations (34%), administration support (25%), quality of life (25%), and work environment (16%).CONCLUSIONManaging nurse turnover can be implemented on the organizational as well as at MOH levels. The recommendations given by the participants provide direct targets to improve retention.LIMITATIONSWith convenience sampling, the sample is probably not representative of the Filipino nursing population.

Recruitment interviewing

Recruitment interviewing

Improving communication in recruitment consultations for randomised controlled trials

Six key recommendations for increasing recruitment to clinical trials.

Assessing causal effects of early life-course factors on early childhood caries in 5-year-old Ugandan children using directed acyclic graphs (DAGs): A prospective cohort study.

To estimate the effect of distal and proximal early life-course factors on early childhood caries (ECC) in 5-year-old Ugandan children, particularly focusing on the causal effect of exclusive breast feeding (EBF) on ECC using directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) for confounder selection. This study had a nested prospective cohort design, focusing on 5 years of follow-ups of caregiver-children pairs from the PROMISE-EBF trial (ClinicalTrials.gov no: NCT00397150) conducted in 2011 in Eastern Uganda. Data were from recruitment interviews, 24-week, 2-year and 5-year follow-ups of a cohort of 417 mother-children pairs. Trained research assistants performed interviews with caregivers in the local language and ECC was recorded under field conditions using the World Health Organization's (WHO) decayed missing or filled teeth (dmft) index. Early life-course factors in terms of socio-demographic characteristics, EBF and other feeding habits were assessed at the various follow-ups. The outcome (ECC; dmft>0) was assessed at the 5-year follow-up. Causal diagrams as DAGs were constructed to guide the selection of confounding and collider variables to be included in or excluded from the final multivariable analysis. Negative binomial regression analyses were performed based on two comparative DAGs representing different causal models. Model 1 based on DAG 1, showed EBF to be a protective factor against ECC, with an IRR and 95% CI of 0.62 (0.43-0.91). According to Model 2 based on DAG 2, EBF and having both parents living together had protective effects: the corresponding IRRs and 95% CI were 0.60 (0.41-0.88) and 0.48 (0.25-0.90), respectively. Both plausible models indicated that being exclusively breastfed for 24 weeks had a protective causal effect against ECC. Further research, examining the unmeasured variables included in the DAGs is necessary to strengthen the present finding and allow stronger causal claims.

What do we Lose with Online-Only Surveys? Estimating the Bias in Selected Political Variables Due to Online Mode Restriction

AbstractThis paper adds to the discussion on the value of online surveys for political science research. Mainly because of the lower costs, collecting survey data over the web has become increasingly popular in recent years, despite the higher sampling and coverage error in web-only surveys, especially online access polls. Recruiting respondents for the actual panel surveys based on a representative sample using a different mode is regarded as a solution to the sampling problem. Two approaches have been used to tackle the problem of coverage error: Providing respondents with computers (e.g. LISS, ELIPPS, GIP) and offering a different mode than online to respondents, thereby adopting a mixed mode design (e.g. paper as in GALLUP, GESIS Panel). The literature suggests that offering participation in the respondent’s preferred mode affects response rates positively but not much is known about respondents’ reasoning to choose a specific mode. We argue that it is important to understand this decision to evaluate the selection into online surveys and the consequences this has for data quality. We investigate this question by drawing on data from the GESIS Panel face-to-face recruitment interview for building a mixed mode access panel (paper and web) in Germany that gave a mode choice to internet users. Our results suggest that web literacy, age and education alone do not explain the mode choice but that affinity towards the technology related to the online mode has an independent effect. In a second step, we analyse the effect of this selection mechanism on answers to questions on typical variables used in political participation research such as media competence, political interest and civic duty in the subsequent mixed mode survey. We assess the added value of adopting a mixed-mode strategy. The results inform the evaluation of biases in unimode online surveys.

Evaluating recruitment consultants using performance appraisal as a tool for IT and manufacturing companies

It has become evident in today's scenario that majority of companies (especially IT and manufacturing) and recruitment consultants go in tandem owing to the increasing business demands and manpower requirements. One of the key challenges faced by IT and manufacturing companies is the effective evaluation of consultants for efficient vendor management. In the current scenario, no standardised procedure exists to help IT and manufacturing companies in making decisions about what to expect from each consultant, the basis for retention or rejection decisions, giving apt feedback to the consultant and fixing of performance-linked remuneration for the consultant. Thus, evaluating the consultant is vital as it gives a sense of accountability and direction for the consultants to adhere to their promises and compete with their competitors in a better way. This paper aims at providing a performance appraisal model as a tool to evaluate consultants. Using appraisal as a tool to evaluate the performance of consultants ensures quality service by the consultants and also enables the IT and manufacturing companies to provide effective and constructive feedback to the consultants.

Evaluating recruitment consultants using performance appraisal as a tool for IT and manufacturing companies

Evaluating recruitment consultants using performance appraisal as a tool for IT and manufacturing companies

RCGP Research Paper of the Year 2015: strong messages for clinical care in all six research categories.

The Research Paper of the Year award is given annually by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to showcase the best research published in the previous year by primary care researchers in the UK. The overall winning study is chosen from the top papers in each of the six research categories used by the National Institute for Health Research. Over 80 entries were received for this year’s award, and the standard was very high. For the first time the award was sponsored by Primary Care People (a medical recruitment consultancy). The five runners up presented summaries of their work in the ‘winners’ enclosure’ at the RCGP Conference in Harrogate, and the winning entry was presented during the closing plenary session of the Conference. The overall winner of the RCGP and Primary Care People Research Paper of …

Saudi Nursing Student’s Perception of Effective Clinical Instructor’s Characteristics

Background: The clinical experience has been recognized as a significant and very essential component of nursing education. Clinical instructors have a responsibility not only to their students but also to clients and the nursing profession to identify and exhibit effective clinical teacher characteristics. Moreover, as the clinical experiences and its resources are limited, students must optimize clinical practice opportunities; they must therefore, work with effective clinical instructors.Aim: The aim of this study is to identify Saudi nursing students’ perception of effective clinical instructor’s characteristicsMethods: ADescriptive research design was used in carrying out the current study. Sample and Setting: 391 Saudi female nursing students, enrolled in the 4th to 8th term of their study in different colleges of nursing asked to participate. This sample also includes students from the college of health sciences, who are enrolled in the second term, of the first year, till those in the second term of the third year. Data were collected from the following places: The study took place in selected colleges and universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, such as the College of Nursing, King Saud University, Health Colleges of the Ministry of Health, and the college of nursing, Damam University. The Nursing Clinical Teacher Effective Inventory (NCTEI) developed a 48-item Likert scale checklist describing discrete teachers characteristics clustered into five subscales or categories: teaching ability, nursing competence, personality traits, interpersonal relationships and evaluation. Results: The results revealed that diploma students placed more emphasis on the clinical instructor’s behaviors and that is a statistical significance. A significant difference was also found between different places and student’s perception of perceptive of clinical teacher behaviors, this may be due to the characteristics of students, teachers, clinical setting & teaching-learning environment, they may differ according to each site, and thus, it may not be surprising that students’ perception differs somewhat across sites. On the other hand, those students perceive that the teachers’ effectiveness and personality traits are particularly important. These findings are supported by other researches. This research also indicates that a significant correlation was found between father’s and mother’s education and the student’s perception about teaching effectiveness. Personality traits, nursing competences and evaluation this may indicate that family in general has effect on the student’s perception. On the other hand, various studies indicates that these four qualities are necessary to be a successful clinical teacher. The results also revealed that no significance difference was found between academic and different students’ perception, this come in contrast with another research which mentioned that students near graduation values the teacher’s behaviors .The Mann Whitney test was then used to determine whether statistically significant (p<0.05 & p<0.01) Conclusion: It was concluded that, effective clinical instructor helps students to develop the problem-solving and decision making skills which are essential for them as a professional nurse.  Clinical instructors should be enrolled in continuous in-service training education to develop and strength the positive characteristics of the clinical instructor. Employment committee should utilize the Nursing Clinical Teacher Effective Inventory: as a baseline during recruitment interview.

Feeling the Right Personality. Recruitment Consultants’Affective Decision Making in Interviews With Employee Candidates

The pressure to find the ‘right’ personalities to strengthen customer service and working teams has made staffing decisions critical for organizations. Therefore, recruitment is more often outsourced and done so on a global level. By analyzing interviews with recruitment consultants, this article explores how consultants work in order to find the recruitment candidates with the most potential for their clients. It discusses recruitment as a process of affective decision-making where consultants use their ‘gut feelings’, that is, their own embodied affects, to secure the optimal ‘organizationperson fit’. Different kinds of details in the candidate’s appearance and micro-movements of the body cause ‘good vibrations’ or ‘strange feelings’ in the consultant’s affective body, which guides the selection among the candidates. By deconstructing the concept of ‘affect’, the article develops an understanding of recruitment as a practice where the embodied histories of consultants themselves play a key role in recruitment. The article claims that, as a result of competition in the business, the recruitment consultant relies on stereotypical performances of the ideal worker.

Caretaker’s caries experience and its association with early childhood caries and children’s oral health-related quality of life: A prospective two-generation study

Objectives: The first objective of this study is to examine the association between caretakers’ caries experience and caries experience of their children. Second, to investigate whether children’s and caretaker’s caries experience is associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children and their families.Methods: This study is based on the prenatal recruitment interviews and the 5-year follow-up of 417 caretaker–children pairs from the Ugandan site of the PROMISE-EBF trial conducted in Mbale, Eastern Uganda. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with caretakers at the household level. Caries experience of caretakers (DMFT >0) and children (dmft >0) were assessed in accordance with the criteria of the World Health Organization. OHRQoL was assessed using an abbreviated version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS).Results: Adjusted negative binomial regression analysis revealed that caretaker’s caries experience was positively associated with early childhood caries of their offspring (IRR 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3–3.0). Children’s caries experience (IRR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–3.0), but not caries experience of caretakers, was associated with worse OHRQoL of children and their families. Caretakers who perceived good child oral health were less likely to report OHRQoL impacts (IRR 0.20, 95% CI 0.12–0.35).Conclusion: Improving caretaker’s caries experience and her perception of child’s oral health status could improve children’s caries experience and the OHRQoL of children and family. Such knowledge is important and should inform public oral health programs for young children.

Association of Fish Consumption and Persistent Organic Pollutant with Cause-specific Mortality---Results from the Great Lakes Fish Consumption Study cohort

INTRODUCTION Fish is a good source of nutrients, including protein and omega-3 fatty acids. However, there is growing concern over the potentially harmful effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are present in some fish species. Our study objectives are to examine the beneficial effect of fish consumption and the adverse effects of POPs on cause-specific mortality in the Great Lakes Fish Consumption Study (GLFCS) cohort. METHODS Regular consumers of GL sport fish, referred to as captains, were recruited in 1993 from GL charter boat captains and their spouses. Referents were recruited from the same communities as the captains but they consumed no GL sport fish and no more than 6 sport fish meals in any of the previous 10 years. Fish consumption and demographic characteristics were assessed from recruitment interviews. Blood concentration of DDE, PCBs and PBDEs were measured at baseline, and at two follow-ups in a subgroup. Cause of death was ascertained through the National Death Index (NDI). Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate risk of death in relation to fish consumption and POPs. RESULTS A total of 3,892 subjects were followed from 1994 through 2011 and contributed 62,794 person-years. 492 subjects were ascertained as deceased by NDI, among which, 44 diabetes deaths and 243 cardiovascular deaths were recorded. Fish consumption of more than one meal a week was associated with significantly decreased diabetes mortality compared with fish consumption of less than one meal a month. DDE and PCBs were associated with increased diabetes mortality when adjusted for age, gender, BMI, income and fish consumption. DDE, PCBs and PBDEs were also found to be associated with increased cardiovascular mortality after adjusting for covariates including fish consumption. CONCLUSION Our study found a protective effect of all fish consumption on diabetes mortality and an adverse effect of POPs on diabetes and cardiovascular mortality.

UK FASHIoN: feasibility study of a randomised controlled trial of arthroscopic surgery for hip impingement compared with best conservative care.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a syndrome of hip or groin pain associated with shape abnormalities of the hip joint. Treatments include arthroscopic surgery and conservative care. This study explored the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial to compare these treatments. The objectives of this study were to estimate the number of patients available for a full randomised controlled trial (RCT); to explore clinician and patient willingness to participate in such a RCT; to develop consensus on eligibility criteria, surgical and best conservative care protocols; to examine possible outcome measures and estimate the sample size for a full RCT; and to develop trial procedures and estimate recruitment and follow-up rates. Pre-pilot work: we surveyed all UK NHS hospital trusts (n = 197) to identify all FAI surgeons and to estimate how much arthroscopic FAI surgery they performed. We interviewed a purposive sample of 18 patients, 36 physiotherapists, 18 surgeons and two sports physicians to explore attitudes towards a RCT and used consensus-building methods among them to develop treatment protocols and patient information. Pilot RCT: we performed a pilot RCT in 10 hospital trusts. Patients were randomised to receive either hip arthroscopy or best conservative care and then followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months using patient-reported questionnaires for hip pain and function, activity level, quality of life, and a resource-use questionnaire. Qualitative recruitment intervention: we performed semistructured interviews with all researchers and clinicians involved in the pilot RCT in eight hospital trusts and recorded and analysed diagnostic and recruitment consultations with eligible patients. We identified 120 surgeons who reported treating at least 1908 patients with FAI by hip arthroscopy in the NHS in the financial year 2011/12. There were 34 hospital trusts that performed ≥ 20 arthroscopic FAI operations in the year. We found that clinicians were positive about a RCT: only half reported equipoise, but most said that they would be prepared to randomise patients. Patients strongly supported a RCT, but expressed concerns about its design; these were used to develop patient information for the pilot RCT. We developed a surgical protocol and showed that this could be used in a RCT. We developed a physiotherapy-led exercise-based package of best conservative care called 'personalised hip therapy' and showed that this was practicable. In the pilot RCT, we recruited 42 out of 60 eligible patients (70%) across nine sites. The mean duration and recruitment rate across all sites were 4.5 months and one patient per site per month, respectively. The lead site recruited for the longest period (9.3 months) and accrued the largest number of patients (2.1 patients per month). We recorded and analysed 84 diagnostic and recruitment consultations in 60 patients and used these to develop a model for an optimal recruitment consultation. We identified the International Hip Outcome Tool at 12 months as an appropriate outcome measure and estimated the sample size for a full trial as 344 participants: a number that could be recruited in 25 centres over 18 months. We have demonstrated that it is feasible to perform a RCT to establish the clinical effectiveness of hip arthroscopy compared with best conservative care for FAI. We have designed a full trial and developed and tested procedures for it, including an innovative approach to recruitment. We propose that a full trial be implemented. The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Malmö Treatment Referral and Intervention Study (MATRIS)—effective referral from syringe exchange to treatment for heroin dependence: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Syringe exchange has been suggested as a potential conduit to treatment for drug dependence, but this has never been documented in Europe. The primary aim was to compare the effectiveness of strength-based case management intervention (CMI) against referral only to facilitate treatment attendance in a syringe exchange programme. We also assessed the effectiveness of a syringe exchange programme for referral of heroin-dependent patients to evidence-based treatment with methadone or buprenorphine (buprenorphine-naloxone). Single-site, two-group randomized controlled trial. The syringe exchange programme in Malmö, Sweden and an out-patient clinic (research treatment facility) for maintenance treatment, situated outside the hospital area and run by Malmö Addiction Centre. Heroin-dependent patients willing to participate (n = 75) were referred to maintenance treatment and randomized to either a strength-based case management intervention aiming to facilitate referral (n = 36) or to referral-only (n = 39). The intervention group received an appointment for maintenance treatment and a CMI adjusted to individual patient needs. The CMI was semi-structured, assessing the patients' strengths and needs and identifying what practical help they might need to get to the appointment for maintenance treatment. The control group received an appointment for maintenance treatment. The primary outcome was treatment entry. Among patients who turned up for recruitment interview and randomization, the percentage of patients who started treatment was 95% in the intervention group and 94% in the control group. Treatment entry was unrelated to intervention status [unadjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.92 (0.12–6.89), P = 1.00 and adjusted OR = 0.96 (0.12–7.83)]. A randomized controlled trial in a syringe exchange programme showed no evidence that a strength-based case management intervention improved attendance for treatment over referral alone. Attendance rates were high in both groups.

Public professions and private practices: access to the solicitors’ profession in the twenty-first century

ABSTRACTRecruitment of trainee solicitors by largely commercial organisations provides the effective gateway to professional qualification for aspiring solicitors. Professional bodies and others have sought to distinguish solicitors from other legal service providers through reference to professionalism and ethics. In this article I present the findings from a survey of the applicant experience of the graduate recruitment process and interviews with the professionals involved in those processes. The research is situated within the literature on professional identity development. The main aims are to contribute to understanding of the way in which graduate recruitment may inform the construction of professional identities, with particular focus on notions of ethicality within that. These engagements come at a critical time for professional identity construction. Despite data suggesting applicant expectations that professionalism and ethics will be important in their future practice, these early encounters do little to support that view. The influence of selection activities most likely marks the beginning of longer-term experiences that diminish the significance of ethicality in notions of professionalism. The data identifies recruiter assumptions as to appropriate ethical character. There is also evidence that the recruitment process may actively undermine ideas such as independence as relevant to legal practitioners.

Public involvement in research within care homes: benefits and challenges in the APPROACH study.

BackgroundPublic involvement in research (PIR) can improve research design and recruitment. Less is known about how PIR enhances the experience of participation and enriches the data collection process. In a study to evaluate how UK care homes and primary health‐care services achieve integrated working to promote older people's health, PIR was integrated throughout the research processes.ObjectivesThis paper aims to present one way in which PIR has been integrated into the design and delivery of a multisite research study based in care homes.DesignA prospective case study design, with an embedded qualitative evaluation of PIR activity.Setting and participantsData collection was undertaken in six care homes in three sites in England. Six PIR members participated: all had prior personal or work experience in care homes.Data collectionQualitative data collection involved discussion groups, and site‐specific meetings to review experiences of participation, benefits and challenges, and completion of structured fieldwork notes after each care home visit.Results PIR members supported recruitment, resident and staff interviews and participated in data interpretation. Benefits of PIR work were resident engagement that minimized distress and made best use of limited research resources. Challenges concerned communication and scheduling. Researcher support for PIR involvement was resource intensive.Discussion and conclusionsClearly defined roles with identified training and support facilitated involvement in different aspects of the data collection process. This can also ensure that vulnerable older people who participate in research have a positive experience that reinforces the value of their views.

The importance of rapport and relationship building when recruiting to clinical trials: a qualitative investigation of trial recruitment consultations in a surgical RCT

Results The key findings highlighted the importance of; a) the context to the recruitment consultation, b) the current health status of potential participants at the time of trial invitation, and c) the trial information exchange process. These findings were underpinned by an overarching theme relating to recruiter rapport and relationship building with potential participants. The recruiter demonstrated an important role in terms of being empathetic, reassuring, supportive and attentive when discussing the trial with the participants. Conclusions Previous studies have shown that exploring treatment preferences, within the context of recruitment consultations, facilitated recruitment. VUE-Qual has provided a rich insight into how information is discussed in recruitment consultations between potential participants and recruiter in the context of a surgical prolapse trial. It has also identified aspects of the recruitment consultation that should be explored more systematically in other trial recruitment settings to potentially improve the recruitment process.