Themes Of Communication Research Articles

An investigation into the current perceptions of Irish Radiographers regarding patient-practitioner communication

IntroductionMany of the tasks performed by radiographers rely on effective communication with patients. This study aims to evaluate radiographers' experiences communicating with patients to determine what communication skills they believe they have, challenges they encounter and any familiarity with communication tools. It also assesses their willingness to accept further training and utilise recognised scripted communication tools, such as AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation and Thank you). MethodsData were collected using an online survey deployed using the MS Forms platform. The survey consisted of 42 questions: 12 qualitative ‘open-ended’ questions and 30 ‘close-ended’ quantitative questions. The survey remained open between March and May 2022. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative responses using thematic content analysis. Cross distribution analysis, basic percentages, and graphic bar charts were used for quantitative data analysis. ResultsOne hundred and nine radiographers completed the questionnaire. Quantitative analysis found that 84 % (n = 87) of radiographers had not received additional post-qualification training in patient communication. Five communication themes emerged from the thematic analysis; (1) Expectations, (2) Education, (3) Improvements, (4) Errors, and (5) Communication Tools. The scripted communication tool AIDET, according to 86 % (n = 89) of respondents, was perceived to be potential helpful in improving radiographer-patient interactions. ConclusionRadiographers do not believe they have received adequate training for communicating with patients and would like to receive additional training and education. AIDET could be a useful communication tool as a starting guide for less experienced radiographers. There is a need for further studies that explore the use and effectiveness of scripted communication tools in radiographers’ communications skills. In addition, additional post-registration training opportunities need to be available for radiographers in patient communication.

중년 여성의 여가로서 팬덤 활동의 의미 탐색

The purpose of this study is to explore the meaning of fandom activities that middle-aged women participate in as leisure activities. Fandom activities as leisure have mainly been studied with a focus on youth, but recently, middle-aged women are actively participating in fandom activities and forming a new leisure culture. From this perspective, this study applied qualitative research to analyze the meaning of middle-aged women's fandom activities, focusing on Trot singer fandom. The research results suggest themes of self-discovery, emotional benefits, social connection, communication, and cultural consumption. Middle-aged women improved their physical, psychological, and social health through fandom activities. Additionally, these activities were shown to have a positive effect on improving the quality of their lives. It was revealed that middle-aged women's fandom activities are a meaningful leisure activity in their lives.

Understanding community resilience during the drinking water contamination event on Oahu, Hawaii, 2021–2022: a mixed mode approach

BackgroundA petroleum leak into the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam water system on Oahu, Hawaii in November 2021 contaminated the drinking water of approximately 93,000 users, causing many to relocate for months. Perceptions of health and wellbeing were captured using the Centers for Disease Control/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR) Assessment of Chemical Exposures (ACE) cross-sectional survey in collaboration with the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH).MethodsResponses from the ACE online survey of community members, businesses, schools, health care and veterinary care organizations during the contamination event, containing quantitative questions and qualitative information from an open text field, were analyzed. Separately, a qualitative key informant questionnaire was administered to community establishments. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze and identify prominent themes from the ACE open text field and the key informant responses that were triangulated by the quantitative data when the themes aligned.ResultsSix major themes of disruption, communication, trust, stress, support, and ongoing needs were identified. Burdensome logistics from obtaining alternate water, negative financial impacts from relocation or losing business, distrust of information, perceived lack of support from response entities and uncertainty of long-term health impact caused significant disruption, stress and mental health. Individuals reported needing water, shelter, and mental health care while establishments wanted financial reimbursement and a resolution.ConclusionsThe findings show that environmental disasters have significant disruptive and mental health impacts from stress. Identified themes can inform and improve emergency response and communication strategies and increase trust with community members during and after large chemical exposure events.

Community engagement to develop a dialogue-drama on adolescent pregnancy in a marginalised migrant population on the Thailand-Myanmar border: an ethnographic approach to participatory action research

ABSTRACT Background Communities in which adolescent pregnancy and safe abortion care are taboo may benefit from culturally appropriate information, education, and communication. Objective This ethnographic and participatory action research (PAR) elicited community members’ perceptions to adolescent pregnancy: which then informed dialogue-drama development in Burmese and Karen language for undocumented migrants on the Thailand-Myanmar border. Methods PAR was conducted in Karen and Burmese language. Interviews and discussions elicited perceptions of community members about adolescent pregnancy. These were analysed for themes and using the fishbone technique, to determine the objectives for the drama. After developing the structure and content of the drama it was piloted, revised, and performed in communities. Responses and impact of the drama were recorded. The team reflected on the drama as a method for health messaging. Results In 2022, themes of responsibility, communication, and experiences of adolescent pregnancy emerged from 10 interviews and 6 discussions with community members. The fishbone technique established three dramatic objectives, woven into a teenage love story with an unplanned pregnancy, to raise community awareness of i) adolescent pregnancy, ii) contraception, and iii) choice in unexpected pregnancy. Post-drama feedback from 11 migrant communities (1,238 participants) was positive although some community members voiced concerns. Given the logistical challenges of conducting the drama in person, a film will be created for wider dissemination. Conclusions Participatory action research resulted in a culturally-nuanced performance, with communities requesting further performances and awareness on adolescent pregnancy and safe abortion care. Video is likely to be a more sustainable option.

Does one size fit all? Developing an evaluation strategy to assess large language models for patient safety event report analysis.

Collecting and analyzing patient safety event (PSE) reports is a key component to the improvement of patient safety yet report analysis has been challenging. Large language models (LLMs) may support analysis; however, PSE reports tend to be a hybrid of clinical and general language. We propose a data-driven evaluation strategy to assess LLM fit for report analysis. We identify target tokens and sentences from PSE reports and use perplexity to evaluate four LLMs comprehension of the target sentence. LLMs had statistically significantly different perplexity measures in six of seven event categories. Clinical models perform better with clinical narratives, often reported by nurses and physicians. General models perform better with colloquial language and communication themes. For LLMs to support PSE report analysis there must be a good fit between the language model and the nature of the text in reports. A single LLM approach may not be the most useful strategy.

Connectivity as productivity: Workplace from Meta and organizational datafication

If social media are generally considered workplace distractions, how does Meta promote their enterprise social medium, Workplace? Analyzing Meta’s corporate communication, I explore their emphasis on “connectivity” as Workplace’s key selling point, aligning with existing research on Meta’s self-construction. Highlighting three pertinent themes in the corporate communication, I explore how Workplace is promised to (1) subsume the gray media of corporate life (2) turn companies into communities where workers share information boundlessly, even about their personal lives and (3) that these streams of communicative data are ultimately used as a datafied proxy for corporate health via Workplace. I propose that the productivity claimed to result from Workplace’s connectivity hinges on a subtle merging of personal and professional aspects in employees’ lives, which is in line with broader Silicon Valley trends and Meta’s own organizational image. I discuss the implications and limitations of these findings.

The Application Research of Reading-to-Write Mode Based on Thematic Context To English Writing Teaching in High Schools

The application research of reading-to-write mode based on thematic context to English writing teaching in high schools is a topic of wide concern in the field of education in recent years. This teaching method aims to guide students to form their own opinions in the process of understanding and analyzing these materials by selecting reading materials related to the course topic and encourage students to express these views through writing. This teaching mode can not only help to improve students reading comprehension ability, but also effectively promote students writing ability The thematic context refers to the linguistic environment and background that is constructed around a central theme or concept in a specific communication or text. It includes vocabulary, phrases, sentences, and the overall meaning and emotions conveyed by the context. Thematic context is not limited to literal content but also includes implicit, associative, and cultural connections that collectively provide a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the theme. In different contexts, the same theme may have different expressions and interpretations, so understanding thematic context is crucial for accurately conveying and receiving information.

Terroir store brand authenticity

PurposeThe objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the communication themes that retailers should prioritise to convey terroir store brands’ (TSBs) authenticity and the impact of their authenticity on several variables (i.e. value, attitude, trust, intentions and effective purchases). TSBs combine a variety of products that adhere to stringent standards associated with a terroir. Charters et al. (2017) referred to a terroir as “a resource based on unique physical origins and shared cultural personification that shape a product’s benefits into a meaningful value proposition” (p. 755). Three communication themes were studied: the ingredients’ origin, traditional local recipes and the producer’s history in a region (terroir).Design/methodology/approachAn experiment was conducted in a store laboratory. A total of 420 consumers representative of the French population were randomly assigned to four independent groups in a between-subjects study design. They shopped in the store laboratory with a section dedicated to a TSB. Each of the independent samples in this experiment was exposed to posters in the store laboratory related to the three communication themes studied. The control group did not see any posters.FindingsThe study showed that the level of TSB authenticity was highest for the communication theme related to the traditional local recipes of the culinary dishes offered by the TSB. Next came the theme related to the ingredients’ origin, followed by the producer’s history in the terroir. Moreover, for the communication theme related to the traditional local recipes, TSB authenticity had a direct impact on value, trust and intentions. Moreover, the link between intentions and effective purchases of TSB products has only been established for this specific communication theme.Originality/valueFirst, this study adds to the limited research on TSBs’ authenticity and identifies the communication themes retailers should use to promote such brands. It also proposes an integrative model of the consequences of TSBs’ authenticity in the retailing field that highlights the direct and indirect links (through value, attitude, trust and intentions) between authenticity and consumers’ effective purchases. Finally, it indicates the kind of discourse on TSBs that conveys their authenticity.

Discharge against medical advice in rural and remote emergency departments: views of healthcare providers.

The aim of the study was to explore, in one remote hospital, emergency department healthcare providers' experience and perceptions of the factors surrounding a patient's decision to discharge against medical advice (DAMA). The secondary objective was to gain insight into staff experiences of the current protocols for managing DAMA cases and explore their recommendations for reducing DAMA incidence. This was a cross-sectional study involving a survey and semi-structured interviews exploring healthcare providers' (n=19) perceptions of factors perceived to be influencing DAMA, current practice for managing DAMA and recommendations for practice improvements. Health professionals (doctors, nurses, Aboriginal Health Workers) all worked in the emergency department of a remote community hospital, Queensland, Australia. Responses relating to influencing factors for DAMA were provided on a three-point rating scale from 'no influence/little influence' to 'very strong influence'. DAMA management protocol responses were a three-point rating scale from 'rarely/never' to 'always'. Semi-structured interviews were conducted after the survey and explored participants' perceptions in greater detail and current DAMA management protocol. Feedback from the total of 19 participants across the professions presented four prominent yet interconnected themes: patient, culture, health service and health provider, and health literacy and education-related factors. Factors that were perceived to have a strong influence on DAMA events included alcohol and drug abuse (100%), a lack of culturally sensitive healthcare services (94.7%), and family commitments or obligations (89.5%). Healthcare provider recommendations for preventing DAMA presented themes of right communication, culturally safe care (right place, right time) and the right staff to support DAMA prevention. The healthcare providers described the pivotal role the Indigenous Liaison Officer (ILO) plays and the importance of this position being filled. DAMA is a multifaceted issue, influenced by both personal and hospital system-related factors. Participants agreed that the presence of ILO and/or Aboriginal Health Workers in the emergency department may reduce DAMA occurrences for Indigenous Australians who are disproportionately represented in DAMA rates, particularly in rural and remote regions of Australia.

HEALTH LITERACY IN NUTRITION AND THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION

Health Literacy (HL) is associated with the acquisition of knowledge, motivation and skills to access, understand, evaluate and apply health information to make choices and decisions about daily health care, disease prevention and health promotion to maintain or improve quality of life. From this perspective, Nutritional Literacy (NL) and Food Literacy (FL) emerge. The objective of this study is to analyze the scientific production through a scientometric study on Health Literacy in Nutrition and the production of Health Communication in this field; and to describe the production on Health Literacy in Nutrition and the Production of Health Communication. This study is of the qualitative and quantitative type developed through a Literature Review and Scientometric study in which articles on the theme of Health Literacy and Health Communication were researched from January 2012 to December 2022 in Clarivate’s Web of Science (WoS). We found 367 references that dealt with Health Literacy and Health Communication, and out of a total of 22 articles, 10 that dealt specifically with the approach to Nutrition and Food were selected. Therefore, the insertion of LN and LA can constitute strategies with potential for effectiveness in health promotion and prevention, when linked to health communication processes. It is necessary to plan new studies in the Brazilian population to analyze the benefits to public health.

Ambulance professionals' experiences of teamwork in the context of a team training programme – a qualitative study

BackgroundTeamwork in the context of ambulance services exhibits unique characteristics, as this environment involves a small core team that must adapt to a dynamic team structure that involves health care professionals and emergency services. It is essential to acquire a deeper understanding of how ambulance teams operate. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the experiences of ambulance professionals with teamwork and how they were influenced by the implementation of a team training programme.MethodsA qualitative descriptive study was conducted involving ambulance professionals who took part in focus group interviews carried out both before and after the implementation of a team training program across seven ambulance stations within a Norwegian hospital trust. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis based on a deductive-inductive approach.ResultsOur analysis revealed 15 subthemes that characterised ambulance professionals’ experiences with teamwork and a team training programme, which were organised according to the five main themes of team structure, communication, leadership, situation monitoring, and mutual support. Ambulance professionals’ experiences ranged from the significance of team composition and interpersonal and professional relationships to their preferences regarding different communication styles and the necessity of team leaders within the ambulance service. The team training programme raised awareness of teamwork, while the adoption of teamwork tools was influenced by both individual and contextual factors. The Introduction/Identity, Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation (ISBAR) communication tool was identified as the most beneficial aspect of the programme due to its ease of use, which led to improvements in the structure and quality of consultations and information handover.ConclusionsThis study documented the diverse characteristics and preferences associated with teamwork among ambulance professionals, emphasising the particular importance of proficient partnerships in this context. Participation in a team training programme was perceived as a valuable reminder of the significance of teamwork, thus providing a foundation for the enhancement of communication skills.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov—ID: NCT05244928.

The role of community mobilization in people’s healthcare-seeking behavior during the COVID-19 vaccination journey: select case studies from Madhya Pradesh

The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of community mobilization initiatives on citizens’ health-seeking behavior through the lens of COVID-19 vaccination in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. This study follows a case study approach to understand community mobilization initiatives that led to increased COVID-19 vaccination uptake. The study delineates the process to increase community mobilization to improve the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination. It highlights the key components of community mobilization that were adopted: the involvement of local leadership (at district, block, and village level), support of vaccination/mobilizer team, the role of in-person communication, involvement of influential community heads and social workers, localized strategies and IEC materials, and support from the state administration. Additionally, the key communication themes that played a crucial role in increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage are identified. The findings of this study will help the policymakers and practitioners in the domains of Health and Medical Humanities, Health Policy and Services, and Social Sciences to clarify the roles of community mobilization activities and initiatives in increasing vaccination coverage. Furthermore, the study provides evidence for the adaptation, integration, and enhancement of these activities based on the four case studies discussed.

Establishing consensus on nutrition competencies for medicine: a Delphi study

BackgroundSignificant research, regulatory bodies and even governmental resolutions have identified meaningful nutrition education for medical and other healthcare professionals as a priority. Doctors are well placed to provide nutrition care,...

Roles of Parents and Adolescent Learners in the Use of Technology in Homeschooling

This exploratory phenomenographic research examines the varied ICT utilization experiences of Filipino homeschooling parents and their adolescents. Learning from those who have been using technology in homeschooling in light of the extensive use of blended learning in current learning delivery modes. The participants were parents and adolescents, purposively selected for their varied approaches to homeschooling to provide a rich outcome space. Data gathering ensued over five months, using open-ended phenomenographic interviews and making concept/mind maps. Transcription of data used intelligent verbatim and analysis and an iterative approach generated varied categories of description. Categories qualitatively represent different ways or roles of experiencing a phenomenon. Findings revealed that parents are consumers, filters, and instillers of values in using technology in the themes of expanding awareness on communication, facility for learning, and monitoring the consumption of the adolescent. Adolescents are consumers, learners, and seekers of their own potential with themes in communication, entertainment and gaming, access and restrictions, and homeschooling. Family dynamics categories are consumers, learners, and managers of technology with themes in communication, digital literacy, and character building. The study recommends that institutions promote digital literacy and capacity building for independent learning, that adolescents communicate their ICT needs with their parents, and that parents prepare adolescents to participate in the digital community. Keywords: ICT, education, adolescents, homeschooling, phenomenography

Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of prehabilitation for elderly frail patients prior to elective surgery: a qualitative study with healthcare professionals

BackgroundPrehabilitation aims to enhance functional capacity before surgery, minimise complications and achieve a better postoperative outcome. This can be particularly useful for older, frail patients to better tolerate surgery. The aim of this study was to identify what barriers and facilitators healthcare professionals in Germany experienced in the implementation and delivery of the multimodal prehabilitation programme “PRAEP-GO” for (pre-)frail adults aged 70 years and older to inform the implementation of prehabilitation into standard care.MethodsA nested descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured face-to-face interviews with healthcare professionals involved in the PRAEP-GO trial from the Berlin and Brandenburg region in Germany. Transcripts were analysed using Kuckartz’ qualitative content analysis. Results were interpreted and synthesised using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, a theoretical framework to allow their application to a more general context.ResultsA total of 14 interviews were conducted. Seven therapists (physio-, ergo-, sports therapy), five physicians and two employees from other professions with mainly administrative and organisational tasks in the project. All identified barriers and facilitating factors could be assigned to the themes of organisation, prehabilitation, cooperation and communication between healthcare professionals and with patients. Much optimisation potential was found regarding organisational aspects, e.g. addressing perceived staff shortages and optimising the patient pathway. Furthermore, it became apparent that communication and cooperation between professionals but also with patients need to be improved. More evidence regarding prehabilitation should be provided to convince professionals more. Prehabilitation should be multimodal and individualised, including the programme duration. Officially introducing prehabilitation into standard care would facilitate its delivery.DiscussionThese findings underscore the fact that successful implementation of prehabilitation programmes, such as PRAEP-GO, requires sufficient organisational infrastructure, human resources, access to knowledge, an adaptable and individualised programme design as well as good communication among professionals and with patients. The transferability of the findings is limited by the absence of nutritionists and resulting overrepresentation of other therapists in the sample. To further convince professionals and patients of the concept of prehabilitation, more research is needed to build a solid evidence base that will ensure greater awareness and, thus, more motivation and cooperation among professionals and patients.Trial registrationOpen Science Framework (osf.io/ksfgj).

E004 Question of the month; a simple method of patient engagement

Abstract Background/Aims Patient involvement at every stage of service development is key to driving forward meaningful change. It can however, be difficult to engage a broad demographic. Focus groups can gain in depth information but are time consuming and will only involve a small number of people. Questionnaires are often poorly completed or have a low return rate. Asking a ‘question of the month’ is a simple method of collecting a large amount of data on a single topic. We have recently reinstated patient education sessions following a break in their provision due to Covid-19 and were keen to optimise these by finding out what patients wanted. Methods A poster was place in the waiting room asking ‘What was the most useful information you were given when you were diagnosed with arthritis’. Patients were given a post-it note and asked to write an answer on it and stick it onto the poster. The same question was asked in paediatric, adolescent and general adult clinics to all follow up patients with inflammatory arthritis during September 2023. The question of the month concept was developed by the Rubis QI Team as part of the JIALearn project. Thematic analysis was performed for the three age groups separately. Results Themes common to all age groups: 1. Knowing that there are a range of effective treatment options available. 2. Hope: “it is not life changing”, “expect a long journey and try and remain positive” In paediatrics, effective, accessible communication was a dominant theme in “any concerns are important and are listened to” In adolescents and young adults being given hope and knowing that there were treatment options were the most dominant themes: “it doesn’t have to affect your life”, “knowing I had different choices out there to help me” In adults the most dominant theme was around self management, particularly around regular exercise, diet and weight loss. “I can manage my problem”, “allows you to stay in control”. Some patients used this project as an opportunity to leave positive feedback about their care to date. Clinicians involved reported good clinical engagement and an improved therapeutic relationship with patients. These themes will be used to guide future patient education sessions targeted at specific age groups. The results of this project will be developed into a poster for the waiting room to demonstrate that comments have been listened to and acted upon. Conclusion Adults newly diagnosed with arthritis place a strong emphasis on self management. The themes of open communication and hope emerged in children and young adults. The comments provided will help to guide and shape future patient education sessions. Question of the month is a simple way of engaging with a broad number of patients. Disclosure R. Waller: None.

The Significance of Communication in Resolving Disputes: Insights into the Negotiation Process in BRT Project, Peshawar

Negotiation means reaching a mutual consensus with the aim of resolving the disputes with acceptable solutions for all the parties. Negotiation is common in day-to-day affairs, but is of more significance in the areas, like contracts, business deals and domestic problems. The literature shows that negotiation is a communication process and provides a medium for the opposite sides to sit across the table and resolve the disputes and conflicts. Contrary to this, the available literature emphasis more on the decision-making aspect of the negotiation, but lacks discussion on the communication processes, which can in fact make or break a deal, project, or a contract. To address this issue, the aim of this study was to investigate the communication processes in an actual negotiation scenario. For this purpose, the communication processes in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) were studied and 30 interviews were conducted from the project team and the affected persons. Data was analyzed using applications of constructivist grounded theory which leads to the formation of Communication as a major theme of study. The results exhibit that communication serves as a medium for exchange of information and has an integral part in negotiation processes. Meetings, interactions, discussions, and networking emerged as major themes of communication in this study, and it mediates the negotiation process and leads to the resolution of disputes. Therefore, effective communication plays a significant role in negotiation, reaching agreements and resolving disputes. This research studied negotiation and communication in BRT project only. Further studies could analyze the negotiation processes in other projects and scenarios to further elaborate mediation of communication in negotiations.

Pilot study exploring the presence of leadership curricula in undergraduate medical education

IntroductionThe physician’s role in the healthcare delivery system extends beyond patient care to include numerous critical leadership roles in healthcare. In addition to treating patients, physicians manage multidisciplinary teams and...

Making meaning material: A textile politics of autistic interests

Disability offers important considerations for participatory crafting projects that seek to foreground diverse forms of knowledge-making. As a case study in ‘disability craft’, this ethnographic knitting project uses collaborative knitting pattern design to explore autistic adults’ interests in the context of the autistic self-advocacy movement in the United States. Colloquially known as ‘special interests’, these interests challenge ableist stereotypes about what it means to be autistic. Crucially, this project was informed by the autistic author’s own special interest of knitting, making special interests both the object and method of research. Knitting is used to explore what counts as meaningful knowledge and who can create it. Through themes of identity, well-being and communication, special interests are shown to be intensely meaningful. The final knitted objects from this project materialize knowledge about how autistic people navigate the world and show how craft can support autistic activism against epistemic injustice.

Bridging the Distance: Effective Communication and Honesty Among College Students in Romantic Long-Distance Relationships

This study aimed to explore how college students in long-distance romantic relationships maintain honesty and effective communication. Stress is a prevalent aspect for students in such relationships, and this research aimed to provide a deeper understanding of their experiences. Data from 7 participants were collected through structured interviews, analyzed using thematic analysis, revealing key themes of visits, communication, honesty, and conflicts. Visitation depended on mutual convenience, while communication in long-distance relationships had both advantages and disadvantages. Honesty emerged as a trust-building factor, enhancing communication. Future research could delve into the impact of academic stress on long-distance relationships and include a larger sample for a comprehensive study.