Themes Of Communication Research Articles

The Importance of Effective Communication: Some Food for Thought.

Having been active in the Society for Young Clinical Laboratorians (SYCL)2 for several years, the opportunity to give something back as a speaker at the SYLC Workshop preceding the 2016 AACC Annual Meeting was an honor. The SYCL workshop centered around the theme of communication and leadership, and I was asked to provide insight into effective communication with staff and trainees—a rare chance to reflect on the soft skills that we all use every day. These are the skills that some believe can't be taught. This may be true, but time spent on thoughtful contemplation of what we do and how we do it is usually time …

Striving to Be King of Mobile Mountains: Communication and Organizing Through Digital Fitness Technology

This study considers fitness-tracking applications as settings for communicative performances. Qualitative interviews and observations with 41 users of a cycling-focused fitness application revealed communicative themes of qualifying, social sharing, and withholding. Users also assessed other members through social-group comparing and upward comparing. This study develops theory by revealing how individuals use the technology to communicate about their physical acts, and how the context of use facilitates organizing processes. We argue that use of this fitness application extends our understanding of how communication can constitute a community of practice (CoP; Brown & Duguid, 1991; Lave & Wenger, 1991). Primarily, the hybrid online/offline nature of Strava complicates the traditional understanding of communication and CoPs.

Communication Behaviors of Principals at High Performing Title I Elementary Schools in Virginia: School Leaders, Communication, and Transformative Efforts

<p align="center">Abstract</p><p>Principals of modern Title I elementary schools, where at least half of the student population lives in poverty, must possess a broader set of leadership skills than has been historically necessary. The ability to motivate teachers utilizing effective communication is one such skill set. This qualitative research proposes a division-level training program designed to improve communication skills of principals and aspiring principals based on the self-reported communication strategies of principals at high-performing Title I elementary schools. High performing Title I schools represented just 8% of all Title I schools in Virginia during 2014. This qualitative data was derived from semi-structured interviews with 8 of these principals, surveys of principals, and publicly available data about these schools. Analysis of the self-reported information resulted in 11 specific communication strategies practiced by most or all of the principals in the participating high performing Title I elementary schools. Further uncovered were 5 themes of communication in leadership which include: a student-centered approach to decision-making; transparency of decision-making; shared decision-making with principal and teachers; the role of faculty trust; and principal preparation. Specific principal communication behaviors with teachers were implemented in motivating teachers toward earning high-performing status. These included frequent face-to-face and personal communications, minimal use of whole-school meetings, and weekly principal participation in grade level meetings. Additionally, principal certification programs were found to have had little impact on the participants in the area of communication. Finally, the critical importance of mentoring, together with school-division level training in the area of communication development, was revealed. This research concluded that communication skills are necessary for building trust between school principals and teachers, with trusting relationships vital for leading teachers toward effective instruction. More structured leadership training is essential in the area of communication skills in preparing school leaders and is most effective at the school division level.</p><p><em> </em></p><p> </p>

Journal of Brand Management – Year end review 2016

A review and reflection on key topics plus extrapolation of future research avenues from within the Journal of Brand Management during 2016 that included a special issue focused on the themes of (i) Corporate identity, branding, marketing, communication, and reputation. Seven additional themes within the Volume are identified: (ii) Brand engagement, (iii) Brand orientation, (iv) Brand counterfeiting and protection, (v) Online and digital branding, (vi) Brand and product naming, (vii) City branding, and (viii) branding in Higher Education.

Characteristics of Effective Simulation (Preclinical) Teachers as Identified by Dental Students: A Qualitative Study

The aim of this qualitative research study was to identify and categorize criteria for simulation teacher quality preferences as reported by dental students. Second-year dental students at New York University College of Dentistry in 2015 were given a two-question, open-ended survey asking what qualities they liked most and least in a simulation or preclinical teacher. Responses were collected until data saturation was reached. Key words in the responses were identified and coded based on similar relationships and then were grouped into defined categories. A total of 168 respondents out of the target group of 363 students (46.3%) provided 1,062 written comments. Three core themes-character, competence, and communication-emerged from 16 defined categories, which were validated using references from the educational literature. The theme of character encompassed eight of the defined categories (motivation, available, caring, patience, professionalism, empathy, fairness, and happiness) and accounted for 50% of the total student responses. The theme of competence comprised five categories (expertise, knowledgeable, efficient, skillful, and effective) and represented 34% of all responses. The communication theme covered the remaining three categories (feedback, approachable, and interpersonal communication) and contained 17% of the responses. Positive and negative comments in the category of motivation accounted for 11.2% of all student responses. Expertise was the next highest category with 9.3% of the responses, followed closely by 9.1% in the category of available. Among these students, the top five attributes of simulation teachers were motivation, expertise, available, caring, and feedback. While the study did not attempt to correlate these findings with improved student performance, the results can be used in the development of assessment tools for faculty and targeted faculty development programs.

Are There Racial Disparities in Family-Reported Experiences of Care in Inpatient Pediatrics?

Despite increased emphasis on patient satisfaction as a quality measure in health care, little is known about the influence of race in parent-reported experience of care in pediatrics. This study evaluates the association of race with patient satisfaction scores in an inpatient pediatric tertiary care hospital in one year. Risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association of minority race with the likelihood to provide a top-box (=5) satisfaction score for 38 individual questions across 8 domains. Of the 904 participants, 269 (29.8%) identified as belonging to a minority race. Parents of minority children reported 30% to 50% lower satisfaction across questions related to well-established themes of interpersonal communication and cultural competency. Overall, minorities also reported lower satisfaction for the domain of nursing care (odds ratio 0.7, P = .016). These findings suggest a need for training and interventions to improve communication and mitigate disparities in how minority patients and their families perceive pediatric care.

Recognition and communication of early preventive services in obstetrics : A qualitative interview study with parents

The perception of patients' needs of support and sensitive communication about psychosocial stress all represent new, exacting tasks for nursing staff, midwives, social workers and physicians in obstetrics. As part of Good Start into the Family (GuStaF), alearning and teaching project in auniversity hospital, we were able to interview parents about their experiences with the intervention. Evaluation of the process of establishing contacts, the communication with professionals in obstetrics and the support offered from the perspective of parents. Qualitative guided interviews with seven families one year after the delivery. Problem areas reported by parents were predominately related to increased parental care and the feeling of being overwhelmed in addition to social stress. Core themes in communication addressed the entry into conversations, which was remembered negatively when advice was perceived as improper, patronizing or stigmatizing, and positively when professionals had listened sensitively and had provided tangible support. Some conversations increased stress. Relating to assistance and support, parents reported both positive and negative experiences. Justness and reliability emerged as particularly important topics. The attendance of families around the time of the delivery poses varying demands upon the hospital staff, not necessarily in keeping with traditional professional attitudes and competencies. Careful attention to the personal physical and emotional well-being of mothers and newborns, non-stigmatizing entry into the conversations, justness of the support and avoiding inconsistencies within the institution and the network all appear to be of great importance.

‘Communicating development’ – a cultural shift: emerging discourses on entrepreneurial development and poverty reduction by Nigeria’s banking and microfinance sectors

This article departs from the dominant orthodoxies in discourses on communication and development by introducing, as a major cultural shift, theory-guided strategic communication themes in two complementary sectors of Nigeria’s financial industry: banking and microfinance. In both sectors, the personal influence model and relationship marketing provide the overarching theoretical framework for investigating the immanence (or lack thereof) of three key variables in the relationships of those sectors with their primary stakeholders, for the primary purpose of entrepreneurial development and poverty reduction. Those variables – trust, commitment and satisfaction – are subsumed under ‘relationship quality’, an embodiment of culture as an integral part of the impact of microfinance on Nigeria’s economy. This article adopts a development strategy that focuses exclusively on relationships established and sustained in exchanges between nonpublic organisations (i.e., the banking and microfinance industries) and key stakeholders for the primary purpose of entrepreneurial development fueled by a cultural economy that ensures the production and wide distribution of finished products, not necessarily commodities. Thematic discourses that use theories to guide institutional policies and actions are proffered in an attempt to create stronger institutional bonds between banking and microfinance institutions and their disparate stakeholders.

Creating Community through Communication: Richard McKeon’s Philosophic Pluralism

Douglas Mitchell’s introductory remarks on Richard McKeon’s “Communication, Truth, and Society” set the theme of communication and McKeon’s philosophy in the context of his lifelong friendship with the literary/rhetorical theorist Kenneth Burke. McKeon’s essay is in two parts: the first is devoted to communication as a means to avoid skepticism, relativism, and dogmatism and as a means to improve the content and impact of communication; the second is devoted to truth in a pluralistic society, where the basis is found in arts of communication whose powers command respect for truth, values, freedom, and community. McKeon and Burke devoted their careers to the ways language shapes philosophic problems in experience and in texts, where ambiguities and oppositions of perspective lead to discovery and to robust bonds of society. Mitchell offers a final reflection on McKeon as diplomat and participant in international institutions, with the aim of making men of one mind in truth.

Pharmacist-Physician Communications in a Highly Computerised Hospital: Sign-Off and Action of Electronic Review Messages.

BackgroundSome hospital Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) systems support interprofessional communication. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of pharmacist-physician messages sent via a CPOE system.MethodData from the year 2012 were captured from a large university teaching hospital CPOE database on: 1) review messages assigned by pharmacists; 2) details of the prescription on which the messages were assigned; and 3) details of any changes made to the prescription following a review message being assigned. Data were coded for temporal, message and prescription factors. Messages were analysed to investigate: 1) whether they were signed-off; and 2) the time taken. Messages that requested a measurable action were further analysed to investigate: 1) whether they were actioned as requested; and 2) the time taken. We conducted a multivariable analysis using Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE) to account for the effects of multiple factors simultaneously, and to adjust for any potential correlation between outcomes for repeated review messages on the same prescription. All analyses were performed using SPSS 22 (IBM SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), with p<0.05 considered significant.ResultsPharmacists assigned 36,245 review messages to prescriptions over the 12 months, 34,506 of which were coded for analysis after exclusions. Nearly half of messages (46.6%) were signed-off and 65.5% of these were signed-off in ≤ 48 hours. Of the 9,991 further analysed for action, 35.8% led to an action as requested by the pharmacist and just over half of these (57.0%) were actioned in ≤ 24 hours. Factors predictive of an action were the time since the prescription was generated (p<0.001), pharmacist grade (p<0.001), presence of a high-risk medicine (p<0.001), messages relating to reconciliation (p = 0.004), theme of communication (p<0.001), speciality, (p<0.001), category of medicine (p<0.001), and regularity of the prescription (p<0.001).ConclusionIn this study we observed a lower rate of sign-off and action than we might have expected, suggesting uni-directional communication via the CPOE system may not be optimal. An established pharmacist-physician collaborative working relationship is likely to influence the prioritisation and response to messages, since a more desirable outcome was observed in settings and with grades of pharmacists where this was more likely. Designing systems that can facilitate collaborative communication may be more effective in practice.

Patients’ views: peer support worker on inpatient wards

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore patients’ experiences of intentional mental health peer support (PS). Design/methodology/approach – Seven in-depth interviews were carried out by an independent researcher with individual inpatients who volunteered via a PS worker following leaflet and poster distribution explaining the research on the two wards. Each recorded interview of 13 questions was transcribed verbatim by the researcher and analysis identified common themes across the interviews. Findings – An overarching theme of communication with patients was identified together with six main themes: person centredness, practical support, building connections, emotional support, modelling hope and recovery interventions. There were no negative comments expressed by interviewees. Research limitations/implications – Small scale qualitative research allows in-depth exploration of experiences which is valuable in informing the further development of PS. Originality/value – There are very few published reports of inpatient experiences of PS in inpatient settings.

Development of a Communication Intervention for Older Adults With Limited Health Literacy: Photo Stories to Support Doctor–Patient Communication

Successful doctor–patient communication relies on appropriate levels of communicative health literacy, the ability to deal with and communicate about health information. This article aims to describe the development of a narrative- and picture-based health literacy intervention intended to support older patients with limited health literacy when communicating during their primary care consultations. We performed a formative evaluation that included a review of the literature and interviews with stakeholders on relevant health literacy issues, qualitative studies with the target group, intervention planning, and a small-scale evaluation. Cocreation with the target group was a major component. Seven photo stories were developed incorporating principles from narrative and social learning theory and covering communication themes and strategies identified during focus group discussions and role-play exercises. The intervention was developed in 3 different formats: 1-page photo stories, narrated video clips using the original photo story pictures, and interactive video clips covering participation and communication during primary care consultations. In our small-scale evaluation, older adults considered the cocreated intervention appealing and comprehensible. The intervention shows promise for improving the health of older adults but needs further evaluation. This study provides a rigorous template for the participatory development of health literacy interventions.

DENEYİMSİZ ÖĞRETMEN DAVRANIŞLARI

Teachers can easily solve problems as they become more experienced. Novice teachers are more complainant about problems in the classroom. The underlying reason is that novice teachers do not have enough experience to solve problems regarding classroom management. Teachers with adequate experience ensure problems to be solved easily in the classroom, by this means we can say that the quality of the education rises. Because, there is a significance difference between teachers’ experiences and students’ learning. To summarize, there are some behaviours and mistakes that beginner teachers do. In this respect, the aim of this research is to determine novice teachers behaviours in the classroom, and to detect which of these behaviours are perceived as mistakes among novice teachers. This research is a descriptive study in survey model. The data collection tool is developed by the researchers. Questionnaire with 2 open ended questions is aimed to detect student teachers’ views about novice teacher behaviours and mistakes. Questionnaire with two questions are asked to 10 people through face to face interview. Data analysis is done by content analysis method which is among one of the qualitative data analysis methods. First of all, views of novice teachers regarding common mistakes are analysed. 4 themes are emerged namely classroom management, teaching process, vocational adjustment and vocational commitment including sub categories. The highest frequency of novice teachers’ behaviours is in the theme of communication and teaching while the highest frequency of novice teachers’ mistakes is in the theme of vocational adjustment and teaching. Another common mistake of novice teachers are gathered in the theme of teaching with highest frequency of application sub category. The prominent statement of this subcategory is that teachers are not enough qualified for teaching competences. Classroom management is another theme of teachers’ mistakes. Objectivity is another issue which teacher trainees believe that teachers make mistakes about. Lastly, student teachers’ views about noive teachers’ mistakes are about vocational adjustment. Novice teachers’ are not very good at controlling their excitement and feelings, and they do mistakes about these issues.

Communication and Influencing for ED Professionals: A training programme developed in the emergency department for the emergency department.

The objective of the present study is to develop and pilot a communication and influencing skills training programme that meets ED health professionals' needs at an urban district hospital. Qualitative methods within a participatory action research framework were utilised. An interdisciplinary team guided the programme's design and development. A training needs analysis saw team meetings, interviews, focus groups and observations conducted across the ED. Thematic analysis of the data identified health professionals' communication and influencing challenges. The training needs analysis informed the training programme curriculum's development. The pilot programme involved an interdisciplinary group of seven health professionals across 5 × 2 h sessions over 3 months, followed by a post-training survey. Five themes of communication and influencing challenges were identified: participating in effective handovers, involving patients in bedside handovers, effectively communicating with interdepartmental colleagues, asking ED colleagues to do tasks and understanding ED colleagues' roles, expectations and assumptions. Based on these challenges, the formulated RESPECT model (which stands for Relationships, Expectations, Styles, Partnerships, Enquiry, Coaching and Teamwork) informed the training curriculum. The peer coaching model used in the training programme was highly regarded by participants. Communication and Influencing for ED Professionals™ (Babel Fish Group Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) addresses a gap for communication programmes developed in the ED for the ED. Future research will evaluate the programme's impact in this ED.

Eliciting preferences for wetland services: a way to manage conflicting land uses

A choice experiment was used to analyse the preferences of residents neighbouring the Erstein polder (Alsace, France) for the different services that it provides. The heterogeneous nature of these preferences was shown through the use of a latent class model. Whilst the population as a whole values the improvement in water quality and the contribution, even partial, to flood protection, preferences differ when it comes to biodiversity and public access to the site. This study shows the potential conflicts between the different uses of the Erstein polder. These conflicts represent different communication themes for the site managers.

From the Communications Office: Science Communication Themes from the AAAS Meeting

From the Communications Office: Science Communication Themes from the AAAS Meeting

Gaps in medical marijuana policy implementation: Real-time perspectives from marijuana dispensary entrepreneurs, health care professionals and medical marijuana patients

Aims: There is a need for greater understanding of the recursive processes involved in drug policy development and its impact on stakeholders. The aim of this study was to examine the challenges of implementing marijuana policy in Massachusetts, where recent policy shifts have occurred. Methods: Qualitative data were generated from ethnographic field notes, media reports, public records and in-depth interviews with 25 stakeholders, including six medical marijuana dispensary entrepreneurs, eight health care professionals and 11 medical marijuana patients. Data were triangulated using a grounded theory approach. Findings: Stakeholders expressed confusion and misunderstanding, and demonstrated that they held conflicting interpretations of the policy and regulations. Analyses revealed gaps in policy development and implementation that are organised by three specific core implementation processes and the themes of transparency, communication and education. Conclusions: Findings show a need for more transparency in implementation processes, a more effective mode of communicating regulations, and a comprehensive plan for medical marijuana education. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations to help policymakers in the US and other countries considering legalisation of marijuana or other drugs.

Communication between office‐based primary care providers and nurses working within patients' homes: an analysis of process data from CAPABLE

Aims and ObjectivesTo examine themes of communication between office‐based primary care providers and nurses working in private residences; to assess which methods of communication elicit fruitful responses to nurses’ concerns.BackgroundLack of effective communication between home health care nurses and primary care providers contributes to clinical errors, inefficient care delivery and decreased patient safety. Few studies have described best practices related to frequency, methods and reasons for communication between community‐based nurses and primary care providers.DesignSecondary analysis of process data from ‘Community Aging in Place: Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE)’.MethodsIndependent reviewers analysed nurse documentation of communication (phone calls, letters and client coaching) initiated for 70 patients and analysed 45 letters to primary care providers to identify common concerns and recommendations raised by CAPABLE nurses.ResultsPrimary care providers responded to 86% of phone calls, 56% of letters and 50% of client coaching efforts. Primary care providers addressed 86% of concerns communicated by phone, 34% of concerns communicated by letter and 41% of client‐raised concerns. Nurses’ letters addressed five key concerns: medication safety, pain, change in activities of daily living, fall safety and mental health. In letters, CAPABLE nurses recommended 58 interventions: medication change; referral to a specialist; patient education; and further diagnostic evaluation.ConclusionsEffective communication between home‐based nurses and primary care providers enhances care coordination and improves outcomes for home‐dwelling elders. Various methods of contact show promise for addressing specific communication needs.Relevance to clinical practiceNurses practicing within patients’ homes can improve care coordination by using phone calls to address minor matters and written letters for detailed communication. Future research should explore implementation of Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation in home care to promote safe and efficient communication. Nurses should empower patients to address concerns directly with providers through use of devices including health passports.

Potential donor families' experiences of organ and tissue donation-related communication, processes and outcome.

We aimed to describe the experiences of families of potential organ and tissue donors eligible for donation after circulatory death or brain death. Forty-nine family members of potential donors from four Melbourne hospitals were interviewed to assess their experiences of communication, processes and the outcomes of donation. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Families expressed a range of perspectives on themes of communication, hospital processes and care, the processes of consent and donation and reflected on decisions and outcomes. They expressed satisfaction overall with communication when receiving bad news, discussing death and donation. Honest and frank communication and being kept up-to-date and prepared for potential outcomes were important aspects for families, especially those of post circulatory death donors. Participants reported high levels of trust in healthcare professionals and satisfaction with the level of care received. Many donor families indicated the process was lengthy and stressful, but not significantly enough to adversely affect their satisfaction with the outcome. Both the decision itself and knowing others' lives had been saved provided them with consolation. No consenting families, and only some non-consenting families, regretted their decisions. Many expressed they would benefit from a follow-up opportunity to ask questions and clarify possible misunderstandings. Overall, while experiences varied, Australian families valued frank communication, trusted health professionals, were satisfied with the care their family member received and with donation processes, despite some apparent difficulties. Family satisfaction, infrequently assessed, is an important outcome and these findings may assist education for Australian organ donation professionals.

English

Public relations (PR) is becoming increasingly important in college athletics as the frequency and severity of controversy, legal issues, and crises heighten. With many stakeholders concerned about college athletic programs, coupled with an increased media presence and skyrocketing budgets, it is imperative that athletic programs communicate effectively and efficiently in times where clarity is needed. With that, the purpose of this research is to continue learning about the roles and perceptions of PR within an athletic department, as seen through the lens of ath-letic directors. Building on the work of (Ruihley & Fall, 2009), this research seeks to discover more about the following PR areas: tasks, stakeholder reach, benefits, and roles of PR staff. With mixed-method findings from NCAA Divisions I-A and I-AA athletic directors (n = 49), results indicate top responsibilities of the pri-mary PR staff member as maintaining media contacts and working with coaches and athletes. The top stakeholders indicated were student athletes, media, and the university. The top perceived role was problem-solving process facilitator. Lastly, the top indicated benefits of PR were identified in themes of communication and message, relationships, and strategic planning. The results of this research assist in understanding more about the fit of PR in college athletics.