Participatory Research Research Articles

Abstract B102: Impact of previous genetic counseling and reaction to genetic test results among Hispanic/Latino colorectal cancer patients in ENLACE: A cancer Moonshot study

Abstract Background: Inequities in access to genetic testing exist among Hispanic/Latino (H/L) individuals, a population disproportionately affected by colorectal cancer (CRC) burden. Past studies demonstrate the value of genetic counseling (GC) on improving patient understanding of genetic testing utility, but few studies have focused on H/L individuals. Therefore, we assessed the impact of having prior-GC on genetic testing knowledge among patients enrolled in the ENLACE study, a NCI-Moonshot-funded study of participant engagement in genomic characterization among H/L CRC patients. Methods: The ENLACE study enrolled participants from two healthcare facilities since 2022: Los Angeles General Medical Center (LA Gen, a safety-net hospital) and USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center (Norris, a university medical center). Baseline surveys to assess sociodemographic characteristics, genetic literacy and comprehension (GLAC), and genetic knowledge (KnowGene) were evaluated. Following somatic and germline return-of-results (ROR), Feelings About genomiC Testing Results (FACToR) for germline sequencing, the impact of somatic testing on cancer patient knowledge, attitudes, and expectations, and Decisional Regret for genomics research participation were evaluated. Results: A total of 105 H/L CRC participants completed surveys at baseline, and 39 post ROR. Most were recruited at LA Gen (n = 72), are male (n = 56), and Mexico-born (n = 55). Fifty participants (33, LA Gen; 17, Norris) had GC prior to study enrollment. No difference was found in the sociodemographic characteristics of participants with prior-GC by facility (p = 0.24). When stratified by prior-GC and facility there were no differences in GLAC and KnowGene scores, using univariate analysis (all p-values > 0.05). Post-ROR total FACToR score, which ranges from 0-48 with higher scores indicating greater functional impairment, was low with a median of 11 (IQR = 5.0-23.0) and no differences were seen for prior-GC or without (p = 0.2). Participants had low decisional regret with a median score of 2.5 (IQR = 0-25.0), on a 0-100 scale. When examining opinions about genetic testing in cancer care, 84% (n = 33) of patients agreed or strongly agreed that genetic testing based on today’s technology would significantly improve their cancer treatment and care. Conclusion: There was no association with prior-GC and baseline genetic knowledge scores. Post-ROR, the cohort had low functional impairment and decisional regret from genetic testing, suggesting that these H/L patients have a favorable reaction to their genetic test results. A limitation of this evaluation is that it does not consider the effect of GC during ROR, completed for some patients, on post-ROR responses. As the study progresses, larger numbers will allow us to stratify by germline test results and dosage of GC. These findings support the need for impactful genetics education tools and communication methods to ensure greater understanding of genetics for H/L individuals to maximize genetic testing utility. Citation Format: Natalia Gutierrez, Joel Sanchez Mendez, Julie O. Culver, Charite R. Ricker, Carmen Chavez, Lucia Enriquez, Sandra Algaze, John D. Carpten, Heinz-Josef Lenz, Mariana C. Stern. Impact of previous genetic counseling and reaction to genetic test results among Hispanic/Latino colorectal cancer patients in ENLACE: A cancer Moonshot study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B102.

Co-producing and co-assessing a new service solution for enhancing health and social care integration: a participatory research protocol

BackgroundThis paper describes a study protocol for co-producing and co-assessing a new sustainable and scalable service solution that enhances health and social integration by involving providers and volunteers delivering services for elderly people in the province of Cremona (Italy), where the elderly population will reach 27% in 2023.MethodsThis upcoming study involves mixed-method participatory research and is structured in three study phases and related objectives. First, it will co-produce a new, accessible and sustainable service solution using an iterative design and management method, Plan-Do-Check-Act by involving professionals and volunteers of a heterogeneous group of health, social and third sector organizations located in the city of Cremona (Italy). Second, the study protocol will co-assess the outcomes of the new service solution using a mixed-method approach for measuring the outcomes on: professionals and volunteers (micro level) and their health, social and third sector organizations (meso level). Third, this study will co-investigate the scalability of the new solution promoting health and social integration in other similar urban areas of the Province of Cremona via the Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool (macro level). The data will be collected through the analysis of official documents, websites, policies and participatory workshops.DiscussionThis protocol proposes an innovative intervention, a novel participatory approach, and an unexplored scalability assessment tool in the context of health and social care integration. This study aims to support professionals from health and social care service providers and volunteers from third-sector organizations to collaborate and integrate each other’s resources. In doing so, the participatory approach will facilitate the co-creation of an effective response to the need of health and social integration, and the development of trustful relationships between health and social care service providers. Moreover, the adoption of Plan-Do-Check-Act and Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool will ensure the quality, scalability and sustainability of the new service solution in other settings.

Exploring the potential of AI to increase productivity in small marketing teams

Marketing scientists as well as practitioners believe that artificial intelligence (AI) holds the promise of productivity gains for organizations. However, there has been little scientific research into these theories. This study investigates the role of AI in enhancing marketing productivity, deriving insights from a case study conducted with the marketing team of an industrial software start-up. Drawing upon Case Study Analysis by Yin (2018) and Participatory Action Research by Kemmis and McTaggart (2007), the study employs a combination of survey interviews, AI tool research and AI tool testings. Key findings indicate that productivity gains are more likely than productivity impairments with the use of marketing AI tools. This effect is even stronger when knowledge workers possess high levels of AI skills and utilize AI tools with suitable capabilities. Having closely analyzed six marketing disciplines, particularly SEO / content and design demonstrated significant productivity gains including generative AI (GAI) tools the team already subscribed to like ChatGPT 4 and Canva, but also new AI solutions. While an AI tool’s level of integration only showed a weak positive productivity impact, future studies are suggested to further investigate this variable by comparing the effects of less advanced but more accessible tools like generative AI versus highly advanced, but less accessible business AI. Having navigated the vast and dynamic landscape of AI tools, insights further emphasize the importance of AI experience sharing and informed decision-making, implying knowledge of own user rights and always staying updated on AI advancements. Zooming out from process level, the work's literature review further highlights the role of environmental and organizational AI enablers, like budget allocation, fostering AI trust and mindset, but also implementing AI routines and responsibilities. Overall, this research underscores the imperative for companies, especially startups and SMEs, to explore AI technology as a means to enhance productivity and gain a competitive edge.

Additional criteria on scintigraphic testing for diagnosis of rapid colonic transit in patients with chronic diarrhea.

Colonic transit (CT) measured by validated scintigraphy using 111In-labeled activated charcoal particles is summarized using geometric center (GC) of isotopic distribution in four colonic regions and stool at 24 and 48 h. Diagnosis of rapid CT is currently based on GC24 ≥4.4 in females and >4.7 in males, which lack sensitivity. Our aim was to evaluate, in patients with chronic diarrhea with normal CT by GC24 and GC48, the diagnostic utility of CT change (∆GC) relative to sex-matched normal values. We evaluated two adult patient cohorts: 701 clinical patients (1994-2023) with chronic diarrhea and 76 research participants with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (N = 63) or bile acid diarrhea (BAD, N = 13). Results of ∆GC were compared to 220 healthy controls' 95th percentiles (%ile) (≥2.0 females and ≥2.2 males). In the research cohort, we also analyzed (Spearman correlation) colonic ∆GC with ascending colon emptying T1/2 (AC T1/2), average stool frequency and consistency based on a daily diary, total fecal bile acid (BA) concentration, and % primary BA in a single stool sample. Among 701 clinical patients with normal GC24, 160 (22.3%) had rapid CT based on ∆GC 95th %ile in health. Among 76 research participants, an additional 20.6% IBS-D and 23% BAD had rapid CT ∆GC. Younger age and absence of diabetes mellitus were predictive of rapid ∆GC. ∆GC significantly correlated with AC T1/2 and with fecal BA. ∆GC identified an additional 21%-23% patients with rapid colonic transit among patients with diarrhea and normal GC24.

Unveiling the Transformative Potential of AI-Generated Imagery in Enriching Mental Health Research

Visual methods in mental health research have been extensively explored and utilized following the expanse of art-therapy. The existing literature shows visual arts as a valuable research method with multi-fold benefits for both researchers and research participants. However, the way contemporary art is understood, conceptualized, and experienced has been challenged by the current digital advancements in our society. Despite heated debates whether AI may diminish the value of human creativity, AI-generated art is a complex reality that started to influence the way visual research is conducted. Within this context, researchers employing visual methods need to develop a deeper understanding of this topic. For this purpose, this article explores the concept of AI-generated images with a focus on benefits and limitations when applied to mental health research and potentially other areas of health and social care. As this is an emerging topic, more research on the effectiveness and therapeutic value of AI-generated images is required beyond the current anecdotical evidence, from the perspective of the researchers and research participants.

Creative research with indigenous women: challenging marginalisation through collective spaces and livelihoods practices

PurposeIn this paper we ask: “What are the opportunities and challenges that creative methods pose in terms of conducting research processes with indigenous peoples impacted by emergencies and disasters?” To do that, we critically examine the creative and collaborative methodological approaches applied in the research project, Moving with Risk: Forced Displacement and Vulnerability in Colombia. This project sought to understand the trajectories of risk of families who were forcibly displaced as a result of the armed conflict in Colombia and resettled in areas at risk of disaster.Design/methodology/approachThis article is intentionally written from the perspective of the researchers’ positionality. In doing so, we embrace writing that is situated and embodied in the researcher’s experiences and positionalities. This reflexive writing allows us to question the methodological experience of the research project we are analysing and, at the same time, ourselves, “the researchers” be questioned by it.FindingsIn this paper, we show how creative methods and participatory research can foster awareness and become the basis for inclusive and reciprocal research processes with indigenous communities in disaster studies. Specifically, we show that the use of creative methods helped us recognise that agency needs to be framed in collective spaces with the indigenous women we were working with and in relation to their livelihoods needs. We argue that finding spaces to conduct collaborative research and recognize agency is inextricably related to how the researchers reflect on their positionality.Originality/valueThis article contributes to critical perspectives in Disaster Studies and to an overall understanding of the role that creative methodologies play in research processes with people affected by disasters. It provides a novel perspective on the opportunities and challenges of applying arts-based methods in disaster risk studies with indigenous communities in Latin America.

Comparative analysis of factors and barriers intervening in research participation among romanian and international medical graduates from one romanian medical faculty across three generations

Abstract Objectives This study focuses on the factors that encouraged engagement in research activities, as well as the barriers that restricted their involvement, until the final year of study at Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Medicine. The main objectives of this study are to investigate potential disparities in research culture and student engagement in various research opportunities between Romanian and international medical graduates, as well as to conduct an examination of the observed patterns across various graduating years (2021–2023). Materials and methods A cross-sectional investigation was conducted among graduate students of the Faculty of Medicine at the Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. From 2021 to 2023, all graduate students from the Romanian and international programs of the faculty were asked to participate in the study by filling out an anonymous online questionnaire. The final sample included 572 participants, of whom 392 were students from the Romanian section and 180 were students from international programs. Results Motivation and personal interest drive research engagement, according to over half of graduates. For over one-third of graduates, institutional elements like financial support and education also play a major role, as does the desire to enhance their curriculum vitae. More than 25% of graduates value community influence, 70% of graduates attended medical congresses, 12–15% presented papers at medical conferences, 23% wrote medical articles, 10–15% published at least one scientific paper in medical journals, and 20% participated in medical school research projects. Comparative analysis showed that Romanian students start research earlier, attend more medical conferences, present posters, collect data for studies, and are more interested in publishing graduation thesis data in scientific journals. To encourage international students to participate in research, the study found that colleagues’ examples were more important, and both time and funds were key barriers. The research also shows that 2022 and 2023 graduates will organize more scientific conferences. According to the study, 2022 graduates began their research earlier than others. Conclusions To increase student engagement in research activities, medical schools should prioritize the promotion of positive factors, minimize common barriers, offer customized support and resources, encourage collaborative research activities, and facilitate cross-cultural learning.

Barriers and facilitators for accepting health education of Chinese rural older adults in Henan Province: a qualitative study

BackgroundAs global aging continues to intensify, the health status of the older people requires urgent attention, and health education provides a pathway for active aging. However, the current outlook on health education for older people in rural areas of China is not optimistic. This study used Social Ecosystems Theory and explored the deep-rooted influencing factors on the acceptance of health education from the perspective of the rural older people.MethodsIn this study, a purposive sampling method was adopted, and eligible rural older individuals were selected from Hebi city, Henan Province, China, from March to May 2023 as the research participants. A semistructured interview method was used to explore the factors affecting the acceptance of health education by older people. The interview data were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method to obtain relevant themes and subthemes.ResultsA total of 14 participants were recruited for the interviews; 8 were male, 6 were female, most had an elementary school education, and most were farmers. The results of the thematic analysis revealed a total of nine facilitators and nine barriers in micro, meso and macro levels. Among the findings, our important and unique finding is that inadequate intergenerational support somewhat hinders older adults’ exposure to health education.ConclusionThere are numerous and complex facilitators of and barriers to accessing health education for rural older adults; of these, a lack of intergenerational support is particularly important. In the future, health education needs to be centered on the families of older people with the assistance of village committees so that older people and their children can learn and communicate together.

Emergency Department Food Insecurity Screening, Food Voucher Distribution and Utilization: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective: Food insecurity is a prevalent social risk among emergency department (ED) patients. Patients who may benefit from food insecurity resources may be identified via ED-based screening; however, many patients experience difficulty accessing resources after discharge. Co-locating resources in or near the ED may improve utilization by patients, but this approach remains largely unstudied. This study characterized the acceptance and use of a food voucher redeemable at a hospital food market for patients who screened positive for food insecurity during their ED visit. Methods: This prospective cohort study, conducted at a single county-funded ED, included consecutive adult patients who presented on weekdays between 8 AM–8 PM from July–October 2022 and consented to research participation. We excluded patients who required resuscitation on arrival or could not provide written informed consent in English. Study participants completed a paper version of the two-question Hunger Vital Sign screening tool, administered by research staff. Participants who screened positive received a uniquely numbered $30 food voucher redeemable at the hospital’s co-located food market. Voucher redemption was quantified through regular evaluation of market receipt records at 30-day intervals. The primary outcome was the proportion of redeemed vouchers. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of participants screening positive for food insecurity, proportion of participants accepting vouchers, and associated descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 396 eligible individuals approached, 377 (95.2%) consented and completed food insecurity screening. Most were middle-aged (median 53 years, interquartile range 30–58 years), 191 were female (50.4%), 242 were Black (63.9%), and 343 were non-Hispanic (91.0%). Of the participants, 228 (60.2%) screened positive for food insecurity and 224 received vouchers (98.2%), of which 86 were redeemed (38.4%) a median of nine days after the ED visit. Conclusion: A high proportion of participants screened positive for food insecurity and accepted food vouchers; however, less than half of all vouchers were redeemed at the co-located food market. These results imply ED food voucher distribution for food insecurity is feasible, but co-location of resources alone may be insufficient in addressing the social risk and alludes to a limited understanding of facilitators and barriers to resource utilization following ED-based social needs screening.

MAOA uVNTR Polymorphism in a Sample of Patients Diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid gland carcinoma (TGC), though only 1% of all carcinomas, is the most common endocrine neoplasm with an increasing incidence since the 1990s. Of the TGC types, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common and has the best overall prognosis. Although primarily studied in various neural spectrum disorders, monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) may also contribute to cancer occurrence. This case control study assessed the prevalence of MAOA uVNTR polymorphism in PTC patients, compared its frequency with a healthy control, and assessed the variant’s impact on clinical features. The research participants consisted of 30 PTC patients (20 female, 10 male) over 18 years old who underwent thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy at a Federal District private clinic and 30 paired and unrelated healthy volunteers (18 female, 12 male). The most frequent MAOA uVNTR alleles were 3R and 4R. Although no significant difference was detected in the genotypic distribution nor the PTC patients’ thyroglobulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and antithyroglobulin levels; body mass indexes; administered radiopharmaceutical (131I) doses; or biological sex, the presence of at least one 3R allele was associated with a larger tumor size (T3 + T4 staging). Thus, the 3R allele seems to be associated with PTC pathogenesis severity.

Research participant perceptions of personal utility in disclosure of individual research results from genomic analysis.

This article elaborates research participant perspectives on the communication of individual research results from genomic analyses. While most analyses focus on how to communicate results from the perspectives of clinicians or researchers, there is insufficient data on user perspectives and how this information may be used, valued, and interpreted by patients and their families. The concept of personal utility, which considers factors related to quality of life, including on how information may impact the person's future decisions, has been shown to be particularly relevant to understand research participant perspectives and to move beyond clinical and analytic utility factors such as mortality and morbidity. This article draws from qualitative research of research participants awaiting genomic results in the case of sudden cardiac death. Our results show perspectives of personal utility in communication of genomic results, including cognitive, behavioral, and affective outcomes. Cognitive outcomes include gain of information, improved knowledge of etiology and inheritance characteristics, and curiosity for what might be found. Behavioral outcomes include being able to plan life decisions, while affective outcomes include various coping strategies used. We will also discuss the value of knowing negative results and incidental findings from the research participant's perspective. This contribution gives suggestions on best practices to guide genome analysis returns, including incorporating participant wishes on individualized communication at the consent stage; developing relational autonomy approaches; and engaging them throughout the research trajectory.

Socioecologies in shaping migrants and refugee youths’ sexual and reproductive health and rights: a participatory action research study

ObjectiveThis study explores socioecological factors facilitating the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) experiences of migrant and refugee youth (MRY) in Greater Western Sydney, Australia. MRY may be at higher risk for poorer SRH outcomes due to cultural, linguistic, and systemic barriers.MethodsUsing participatory action research, 17 focus groups were conducted with 87 MRY aged 15–29 from diverse cultural backgrounds. Data were analysed thematically, using socioecological framework.ResultsKey facilitators of MRY's SRHR were identified at the microsystem and exosystem levels, including (1) Peer dynamics and support, with friends serving as trusted confidants and sources of advice; (2) Safety and contraceptive choices, highlighting the importance of access to contraception and STI prevention; and (3) Digital platforms for SRHR information access, with online resources filling knowledge gaps.ConclusionFindings suggest the need for SRHR interventions to leverage peer support networks, expand access to contraceptive options, and develop culturally appropriate digital resources for MRY. Further research is needed to identify and enhance facilitators across all socioecological levels to comprehensively support MRY's SRHR needs.

Future Sensemaking Beyond Own Business Self-Interests: Insights from Offshore Wind Energy Innovation Ecosystems

This research explores how participants in an innovation ecosystem, operating without a focal firm, can collaboratively envision and create societal value beyond their individual business goals. Using participatory action research, the investigation focuses on two cases within the offshore wind energy sector, involving four complementary enterprises and nine enterprises that are both complementary and competitive. The findings suggest that ecosystem participants can collectively pursue opportunities for sustainable value creation that surpass the interests and goals of individual firms. This shift towards a future-oriented, ecosystem-wide perspective was driven by the focus on ecosystem-level value propositions and the dynamic organizing of heterogeneous knowledge, individual behaviors, and organizational behaviors, enabling successful future-oriented sensemaking. The research process highlights practices that led to significant innovation outcomes, such as halving investments, reducing accidents and rework, accelerating operational flow, and fostering long-term investments, like a floating port for installation and maintenance improvements. This study enhances understanding of how future-oriented sensemaking in innovation ecosystems without a focal firm can drive innovation and societal value creation, offering insights for practitioners, academics, and policymakers on governance and collaborative efforts to enable value creation in innovation ecosystems.

Effectiveness of an intervention program to develop e-cigarette control leaders at the University in Lampang Province, Thailand.

The use of e-cigarettes is increasing worldwide, especially among young adults. Due to the health risks, this study aimed to assess undergraduate students' e-cigarette use and attitudes toward them, and evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention program to develop e-cigarette control leaders at the University in Lampang province, Thailand. Participatory action research (PAR) was conducted among 46 undergraduate students. To assess the situations of undergraduate students' e-cigarette use and attitudes toward them, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 of those students - nine users and nine non-users. The remaining 28 were student leaders who were given questionnaires and took part in focus groups to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention program in developing e-cigarette control leaders. Descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to analyze quantitative data. The qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic analysis of the content. This study took place at the University in Lampang province, Thailand, in 2023. Regarding the use of e-cigarettes on the part of undergraduate students and their attitudes about their use, the majority of users stated that e-cigarettes were accessible, appealing, and more socially acceptable than conventional cigarettes. However, most non-users cited vapor smell and health impacts as their main reason for not using e-cigarettes. The intervention program to develop leaders in e-cigarette control could significantly enhance the leaders' knowledge (p<0.001) and attitude regarding e-cigarettes (p=0.001). After their anti-e-cigarette campaign, the soft skills and managerial abilities of the leaders in e-cigarette control improved, and the knowledge and attitude regarding e-cigarettes of undergraduate students who attended the campaign also increased. The intervention program to develop leaders in e-cigarette control resulted in positive outcomes. This program could enhance the leaders' knowledge and attitude regarding e-cigarettes. Their soft skills and managerial abilities in e-cigarette control also improved.

Listening to the Perspectives of Black Women on Perinatal Health Disparities: Reversing the Tide and Improving Outcomes.

Pregnancy-related health in the USA fares worse than similarly resourced countries and the gap continues to widen. This trend however is disproportionately experienced by women of color. We have come to understand that this is due to the systems and structures that perpetuate racism. Despite our awareness of this, the voices of the community impacted by these systems have been largely left out of research. The authors aimed to utilize participatory research methods within a qualitative design to askBlack pregnant and parenting women about their lived experiences of pregnancy and perinatal health services. Over three focus groups, the authors gathered information from 12 participants. Participants were Black women currently pregnant or pregnant in the last year, ages 22-37years old. Participants shared their experiences and views on racial disparities within perinatal health care. Our analytic goal was to explore the questions: "What are Black women talking about in relation to perinatal health"; "Where do Black women get information about perinatal health disparities?"; and "How do Black women feel when they hear or talk about perinatal health risks?". In general, participants felt that the burden to understand their pregnancy risks and options was theirs alone to carry. This resulted in their utilization of and reliance on the internet, social supports, and holistic providers such as doulas for information about how to reduce their risk for maternal morbidity and mortality. Results demonstrate patients' receptivity to frank conversation about perinatal health disparities, and their willingness to partner with their providers to reduce risks in pregnancy. While interventions to reduce perinatal health risks must be systemic, they cannot move forward without including the voices of and partnering with the community they hope to positively impact.

Tracing gender variation in traditional knowledge: participatory tools to promote conservation in a Quilombola community in Brazil

BackgroundBased on participatory research tools and analysis with a gender focus, we aim to identify the knowledge associated with native plants of the Atlantic Forest in one Quilombola community whose territory is juxtaposed with a protected area, in South Brazil.MethodsThrough the perception of the residents of the Quilombola community of São Roque, we classified the availability, harvesting intensity, abundance, and importance of fourteen plants native to the Atlantic Forest found in their territory. These fourteen plants were selected after initial interviews with a free listing of plants done with all adults (44 people), followed by plant collection and identification. A participatory workshop was built with the community to collect data through three activities: four-cell tool, environment matrix, and importance matrix. To identify the gender nuances in the knowledge within this community, all activities were separated into two groups based on the gender of the 22 participants (9 women and 13 men) and the researchers.ResultsThe species Pau-pra-tudo (Picrasma crenata), Quina (Coutarea hexandra), and Cipó-milome (Aristolochia triangularis) were similarly classified as important by both groups, which indicates the cultural and environmental relevance associated with them regardless of gender. The perceptions of other species were expressed differently between the groups, showing the variance of the ecological knowledge and the relationship between the sociocultural contexts of gender and the knowledge manifested. The final part of the workshop was a lecture given by two community experts about herbal medicines based on forest species found in the territory.ConclusionsBased on the multiple forms of results recorded in the workshop, we discuss the demand for inclusion of the traditional community in land management plans of environmental agencies, highlighting how individual characteristics, such as gender, can fill gaps in data about local biodiversity.

Access to land and nature as health determinants: a qualitative analysis exploring meaningful human-nature relationships among Indigenous youth in central Canada

BackgroundHuman relationships with and connections to nature and the “land” are a commonly accepted Social Determinant of Health. Greater knowledge about these relationships can inform public health policies and interventions focused on health equity among Indigenous populations. Two research questions were explored: (1) what are the experiences of meaningful human-nature relationships among Indigenous youth within central Canada; and (2) how do these relationships function as a determinant of health and wellness within their lives.MethodsDrawing from three community-based participatory research (CBPR) projects within two urban centers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the integrated qualitative findings presented here involved 92 interviews with 52 Indigenous youth that occurred over a period of nine years (2014–2023). Informed by “two-eyed seeing,” this analysis combined Indigenous Methodologies and a Constructivist Grounded Theory approach.ResultsOur integrative analysis revealed three cross-cutting themes about meaningful human-nature relationships: (1) promoting cultural belonging and positive identity; (2) connecting to community and family; and (3) supporting spiritual health and relationships. The experiences of young people also emphasized barriers to land and nature access within their local environments.DiscussionPolicies, practices, and interventions aimed at strengthening urban Indigenous young peoples’ relationships to and connections with nature and the land can have a positive impact on their health and wellness. Public Health systems and healthcare providers can learn about leveraging the health benefits of human-nature relationships at individual and community levels, and this is particularly vital for those working to advance health equity among Indigenous populations.

Enhancing Curatorial Competencies : A New Media Art Curator Incubation Model in Indonesia

This research aims to develop an incubation model to improve curator’s competencies on new media art curatorial practice. The incubation model contains a series of learning modules by which Indonesian young curators acquire theoretical knowledge and practical skills to develop and execute a new media art curatorial project. This research used a qualitative approach with a method of design-based research. The research process includes analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation. After analysing the mentees’ curatorial competencies, incubation model was designed based on four steps of curation: (1) Concept Development, (2) Artwork Selection, (3) Exhibition Design, and (4) Exhibition Communication. The research participants include 8 mentors, 9 mentees, and 3 facilitators for June mentorship, and 3 mentors, 2 curators, 4 artists, and 4 organizers for November exhibition. Data were collected through participatory observation, document studies, and personal reflection, which were interpreted through content analysis method. The result of the research is that implementing the four steps of curation in the new media art curator incubation model led to an improvement in 10 curatorial competencies for two mentees, and mostly 8 curatorial competencies for seven mentees. However, the limitation of this research is that ARCOLABS, the incubator, provided different levels of management to its mentees. Therefore, the research recommends that ARCOLABS should ensure fair treatment to all mentees to properly evaluate the improvement of curatorial competencies. For future research, the new media art curator incubation model should be redesigned and appropriately implemented to meet the required curatorial competencies.

Participant Characteristics for Dysphagia Research: A Proposed Checklist.

Participant characteristics are underreported; however, they impact swallowing impairments and subsequent access to assessment and intervention. Standards for rigorous and transparent reporting of dysphagia research are required. The Framework for RigOr aNd Transparency In REseaRch on Swallowing (FRONTIERS) offers a critical appraisal tool for dysphagia research. This article outlines questions for participant characteristics in dysphagia research as part of the larger FRONTIERS tool. An exploratory literature review was conducted to determine how participant characteristics, eligibility criteria, and definitions of health and dysphagia are reported in the literature. Findings were cross-referenced with other relevant critical appraisal tools. A list of questions was generated and refined iteratively with the entire FRONTIERS collaborative until consensus was met. The participant characteristics portion of the FRONTIERS tool includes eight questions and 16 possible subquestions. Examples for how the tool might be used, as well as rationales for inclusion of all questions, are included. Including detailed characteristics of research participants may support understanding of how best to serve marginalized and underrepresented populations more effectively. Critical appraisal tools, such as FRONTIERS, may help to improve the rigor and transparency in dysphagia research, ultimately improving patient care.

The capability approach in empirical women’s studies: A scoping review

ABSTRACT This study conducted a scoping review to explore how the Capability Approach (CA) has been used to conduct empirical research in the field of women’s studies. After general analysis of the articles selected within the eligibility criteria of the current review, we analyzed how the CA was used as a theoretical foundation, a methodological guide, or a practical tool. Through a full screening of 80 empirical articles in this field, we found that the majority fell under the category of “research with women.” While undertaking this research, qualitative methods and a sensitivity to the contexts and environments where the participants lived were employed when selecting articles. We also found that education and development studies held a dominant position within the topic. The studies tended to take a qualitative approach in methodologies, and focused on women of a reproductive age group when choosing research participants. After discussing the advances and weaknesses of employing the CA in empirical women’s studies, we identified where empirical women’s studies using the CA could be developed in terms of disciplines, targeted locations and groups of women, context-sensitivity, and research methodologies.