Town Hall Research Articles

Improving Care for People Aging with HIV: A Collaborative Quality Improvement Approach.

Nearly 60% of people with HIV in New York State are over 50 years of age. After town halls and a statewide survey of long-term survivors, older people living with HIV, and their providers, the Quality of Care Program of the AIDS Institute in the New York State Department of Health developed a statewide quality improvement project that aimed to improve screening for functional impairments among people aging with HIV. Thirteen sites reported outcomes of a pilot project using a modification of the World Health Organization's Integrated Care of Older People (ICOPE) intrinsic capacity screen in small scale, short cycle tests of change. A total of 1,629 people were found to be eligible for screening, and of these, 638 people were screened. Both clinical and non-clinical sites were able to identify significant areas of need. Positive screens ranged from a low of 17% for the identification of hearing issues to 49% for vision concerns. Only 11% of people with memory or nutritional concerns were referred for services; hearing loss was the domain with the largest number of referrals, at 27%. Although in many cases, when referrals were not made, patients/clients were already under care for the identified functional deficit, in other cases no services were available for referral or patients/clients declined to use the offered service. Sites also responded to the findings of the screen by initiating process changes, and many reported continuing to screen for functional impairments after the close of the pilot. The modified ICOPE screen is still in use in sites throughout the state. This pilot demonstrated that a collaboration between people with lived HIV experience, the New York State Department of Health, clinicians, and service providers could result in improved quality of care for people aging with HIV.

Congressional town halls

Congressional town halls

Concreto Academy kicks off

The Concreto Academy has officially launched its mission to advance modern concrete heritage conservation with an impactful kick-off meeting held on March 6th at the Town Hall of the City of Ivrea. The event, attended by a diverse and enthusiastic audience, marked the beginning of an ambitious Erasmus Plus funded project aimed at preserving architectural heritage through innovative approaches.

Effect of uniaxial loading on the spalling of concrete panels for Melbourne's Metro Tunnel Project

AbstractThe Metro Tunnel is a Victorian Government funded infrastructure project which will create a new end‐to‐end rail line from Sunbury in the west to Cranbourne/Pakenham in the south east, with bigger and better trains, next generation signaling technology and five new underground stations. This article provides a detailed summary of the structural fire testing requirements for the platform tunnel side wall and arch lining in the Metro Tunnel's State Library and Town Hall stations. Contrasted to building fires, tunnel fires are more significant within a few minutes due to the confined space which can cause concrete spalling and jeopardize the bearing capacity of the tunnel, which is a significant concern to designers. The catastrophic European tunnel fire events in 1999 and 2001 led to the development of innovative regulations and recommendations, including guidelines endorsed by the European Federation of National (EFNARC 132F r3:2006) and Efectis R0695:2020. This paper explains the methodology taken to design the fire rated concrete test for the platform tunnel side wall and arch lining in the State Library and Town Hall stations of Melbourne's Metro Tunnel Project for structural stability for the period of a serious fire event. For the first time, uniaxial loading (500T) was applied to five large‐scale flat concrete panels (1800 × 1800 × 400 mm) which are normally unloaded during fire exposure and exposed to the RABT ZTV (rail) fire curve. The first testing program investigated the influence of polypropylene dosage in the concrete mix design and its effect on the magnitude and severity of concrete spalling. The results indicated that the recommended 2.0 kg/m3 polypropylene dosage requirement as specified by Eurocode is conservative. Concrete mix designs with a stable aggregate and the correct curing regime can mitigate spalling at significantly lower polypropylene dosage rates. The water pooling effect was evident during the fire testing and the surface cracking that developed was vertical to the surface, allowing for the release of the pore water pressure build‐up.

Implementation of an Innovative Learning Experience to Address Vaccine Hesitancy.

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent vaccine hesitancy highlighted the need for additional learning experiences for nursing students to address person-centered care and communication. This project aimed to employ a three-step service-learning experience consisting of town hall meetings, motivational interviewing training, and rural health fairs to address vaccine hesitancy in communities surrounding the college. Evaluation of the project revealed satisfaction and increased confidence among participating nursing students.

276 Full Spectrum Town Hall Meetings - Advancing Clinician-Patient-Researcher Engagement for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Full Spectrum Town Halls (FSTH) were organized to bring together patients, scientists, clinicians, advocates and others interested in Hidradenitis Suppurative (HS) – stakeholders across the spectrum of translational research – to infuse patient experiences and voices into designing HS research METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The Rockefeller University (RU), Clinical Directors Network (CDN), and the HS Foundation organized three hybrid in-person/online HS FSTHs (2018-2023). The 2018 event focused on patients, describing the current state of HS knowledge and new research into HS biology (T2, T3). Patients shared lived experiences in testimonials and a panel discussion. Advocates described community and mental health resources (T4). The 2021 event returned research results (T2, T3) to the community and updates about treatments in the pipeline (T4). The 2023 FSTH targeted clinicians (T4) addressing a critical translational gap in HS care and presenting best practices in diagnosis, surgical, and medical treatments. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Impact on science: FSTH attendees joined a Community Engagement Studio providing feedback used to refine study variables/procedures. Attendees joined research studies that advanced understanding HS mechanisms of disease, clinical course and treatment.Impact on patient experience: Participants appreciated having a forum to hear/share experiences of shame, mistrust, misdiagnosis and hope. Feedback improved practices for privacy, consenting, and returning study results. Impact on clinical practice and care: FSTH raised awareness of stigma, need for respect and empathy, and advanced learning about in disease mechanisms, effective biologics, importance of epithelial tunnels and surgical care. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: HS is a stigmatizing, poorly understood disease. FSTHs fostered bidirectional learning among scientists, clinicians, patients and other stakeholders. Patients engaged with researchers to improve research design and participate in mechanistic and therapeutic clinical research, advancing the field.

Analysis of the Socio-Health Situation of People in Humanitarian Crisis ″Case of Repressed from Congo-Brazzaville″

Context: The returnees from Congo Brazaville were received by the town hall of Kinshasa which brought them to Maluku. From there, those with closer family members went home, but the others and their children settled around the Cardinal Malula stadium for lack of accommodation. Purpose: This study is carried out with the aim of analyzing the socio-sanitary situation of people expelled from Brazzaville based around the municipality of Kinshasa. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey made it possible, by interview and direct observation with the support of an interview guide, to collect information from 321 Congolese from the DRC expelled from the Republic of Congo, living in the commune of Kinshasa. This information was statistically analyzed using SPSS version 21 software. Results: It emerges from the descriptive analysis that the majority of respondents, ie 68.2%, were housed in tents. 84.4% experienced both physical and moral violence. 62.6% had an altered physical state. The most frequent problems include: lack of access to health care (100%); insalubrity (80.9%); malaria associated with other pathologies (80.8%) or alone and lack of access to drinking water (74.7%). From the inferential analysis, it emerges that the factors associated with the state of health of the repressed were: poor bowel management resulting in the use of stage [RR = 3.4 (1.70-6.69); p ˂ 0.000] or open air [RR = 2.93 (1.38 – 6.23); p ˂ 0.005] instead of a latrine; violence [RR = 2.91 (2.07 – 4.08); caring for at least 5 children [RR = 1.71 (1.21–2.41); p ˂ 0.002] as well as divorce [RR = 1.49 (1.16 – 1.92); p ˂ 0.002]. Conclusion: The socio-sanitary situation of those expelled from Brazzaville was not favourable. The direct involvement of the political and health authorities of the DRC with the support of national or international organizations would allow the proper management of humanitarian crises in the country.

213 Accelerating Translational Science Through Dissemination Grants with Community Impact

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Promoting Academics and Community Engagement (PACE) Dissemination grants are funding opportunities via the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research Community Engagement program designed to support the science of clinical and translational research demonstrating community impact. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Two statewide funding announcements over a 3-month period were issued to over 2,000 academic and community partners. Proposals were required to meet the following criteria: 1) data collection from an academic and community partnered research project completed; 2) research findings analyzed; and 3) a community-focused dissemination plan developed. Projects were funded up to $5000. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Six PACE dissemination grants with community-focused plans were funded spanning Southeast, Western, and the Upper Peninsula regions of Michigan, as well as statewide. Examples of funded projects topics areas include the following: firearm safety; housing discrimination; opioid misuse; suicide prevention; and youth mental health. Community dissemination activities include: a) presenting at a community town hall; b) writing a pamphlet for community use; c) creating artwork installation showcase for community display; d) storytelling through community channels; and e) designing and implementing a local social media campaign. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Traditional funding mechanisms often do not provide resources to disseminate research findings with community benefit or impact back to communities. Funding dissemination awards through the PACE mechanism directly supports and accelerates translational science by sharing results directly back to the community in meaningful ways.

RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION ISSUES REGARDING THE SOUTHERN FACADE OF WROCLAW TOWN HALL. A CASE STUDY

The article presents an exemplary process of revitalisation of a historic building, using the example of the conservation of the southern elevation of Wrocław Town Hall. The introduction presents the building - one of the most beautiful Gothic town halls in Europe. Then the current state of research was discussed. The results of interdisciplinary research are presented in the form of historical, iconographic, architectural and conservation (laboratory) research. The results of the research work were the starting material for the conservation and revalorisation project for the southern façade. Two possible options for the façade's revaluation are presented. In conclusion, the selected variant is presented, along with supporting arguments.

Delegation and Employee Prosocial Behaviour in the Hospitality Sector in Port Harcourt

This study primarily examined the relationship between delegation and employee prosocial behaviour in the hospitality sector in Port Harcourt. The study adopted the cross-sectional research survey design. Primary data was generated through structured questionnaire. The population of the study was 1674 employees of 11 selected hotels in Port Harcourt. The sample size was also drawn using the Krejcie and Morgan (1980) sample size determination table. The reliability of the instrument was achieved by the use of the Cronbach Alpha coefficient with all the items scoring above 0.70. The hypotheses were tested using the Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Coefficient. The tests were carried out at a 0.05 significance level. The findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between delegation and employee prosocial behaviour in the hospitality sector in Port Harcourt. Hence, the study concludes that delegation positively enhances employee prosocial behaviour in the hospitality sector in Port Harcourt. Implying that when organizations in hospitality sector actively engage in joint consultation practices, such as open communication, collaboration, and employee involvement in decision-making, there is a notable improvement in prosocial behaviors among employees. Therefore, the study recommends that there is a need to strengthen delegation platforms which involves creating structured forums where both management and employees can engage in meaningful discussions. This could include regular town hall meetings, feedback sessions, and collaborative workshops. By fostering an environment of open communication, these platforms can serve as a foundation for building a positive relationship between stakeholders.

The Role of Communication and Employee Engagement in Promoting Inclusion in the Workplace: A Case Study in the Creative Industry

This research examines the role of communication and employee engagement in promoting inclusion in the workplace, with a specific focus on the creative industry. The study utilizes a case study approach to gain insights into the strategies and practices employed by organizations in fostering an inclusive work environment. The research objectives are twofold: first, to explore the communication channels and mechanisms utilized by organizations to promote inclusion, and second, to investigate the impact of employee engagement on fostering a culture of inclusion. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining qualitative interviews with employees and management, as well as quantitative surveys to gather comprehensive data. The findings of the study highlight the crucial role of communication in promoting inclusion. Organizations within the creative industry employ diverse communication channels, such as town hall meetings, intranet platforms, and diversity training programs, to facilitate open dialogue and exchange of ideas. Effective communication practices contribute to enhanced employee understanding, collaboration, and mutual respect, thereby fostering an inclusive work environment. Furthermore, the study reveals that employee engagement plays a pivotal role in promoting inclusion. Engaged employees exhibit higher levels of commitment, motivation, and willingness to embrace diversity. They actively contribute to the creation of an inclusive culture by participating in diversity initiatives, providing feedback, and advocating for inclusive practices. The implications of this research that organizations in the creative industry should prioritize effective communication strategies and employee engagement to foster inclusion. By creating an inclusive work environment, organizations can harness the benefits of diversity, such as increased creativity, innovation, and employee satisfaction.

The Promise and Peril of Constituent Interactions: The Determinants of Town Hall Participation Among Members of Congress

Even before its founding, town hall meetings have been woven into the fabric of American politics as a quintessential tool in a representative democracy. We might expect legislators would host these events with routine frequency; however, our research shows this conventional wisdom is inaccurate. While town halls may strengthen the legislator‐constituent relationship, they also carry risk, especially in our polarized political climate. We argue the decision to engage with constituents in this way is a two‐step process: first, legislators decide whether to participate in town halls or not; second, they determine the frequency (and modality) of these interactions. We consider several factors to explain the variation of town hall participation among members of Congress, including partisanship and gender, as well as several electoral and district‐level factors. By combining a unique data set of nearly 11,000 congressional town hall meetings from 2017 to 2022 (115th–117th Congresses) with biographical and political information about legislators and their districts, we uncover compelling evidence to suggest legislators make strategic calculations of whether to participate in town hall meetings and how to do so. In the end, our work adds to the growing literature on the modern electoral connection.

Community engagement in local governance: A review of USA and African strategies

Community engagement in local governance is a crucial aspect of fostering inclusive and participatory decision-making processes. This paper explores and compares community engagement strategies in the United States and Africa, shedding light on the diverse approaches employed to enhance citizen involvement in local governance. In the United States, community engagement is deeply rooted in democratic principles, with a strong emphasis on transparency and collaboration between local governments and residents. Strategies such as town hall meetings, public forums, and online platforms are commonly used to facilitate dialogue and gather input from community members. The U.S. model also emphasizes the importance of community-based organizations, which play a vital role in advocating for the interests of local residents. This review delves into the effectiveness of these strategies, examining their impact on policy development and the overall governance landscape. In contrast, African countries exhibit a rich tapestry of community engagement strategies shaped by diverse cultural, social, and political contexts. Community assemblies, traditional councils, and community-based participatory approaches are often employed to integrate the voices of citizens into decision-making processes. The paper explores the challenges and opportunities associated with these strategies, considering factors such as cultural diversity, historical context, and the role of traditional leadership in African governance. Despite these regional differences, common themes emerge, emphasizing the importance of building trust, promoting inclusivity, and leveraging technology to enhance community engagement. Both the U.S. and African strategies face challenges such as overcoming socio-economic disparities, addressing power imbalances, and ensuring the meaningful inclusion of marginalized groups. The paper examines innovative initiatives and best practices that have emerged from both contexts, providing valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars interested in strengthening community engagement in local governance. This review contributes to the understanding of community engagement in local governance by drawing on examples from the United States and Africa. By highlighting the diversity of strategies and identifying common principles, the paper aims to inform future research, policy development, and practical initiatives aimed at fostering robust and inclusive local governance worldwide.

ABOUT THE HISTORICAL PREREQUISITES OF THE FORMATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY CENTERS IN THE CONDITIONS OF UKRAINE

The purpose of publication is analysis of literary and archival sources in order to establish the historical stages of the formation of the Service of Emergency Situations, ascertaining of its main tasks, and mainly to identify the features of the structural and functional organization of historical prototypes for modern centers of public safety. In general, the process of formation and development of the fire protection system, its transformation into an emergency service has so deep roots, starting with the laws of the state Kievan Rus until today. An analysis of the development of the fire service on the example of separate cities of Ukraine showed, that in the process of its development it was placed in buildings of sacred (churches) and administrative (town halls) purpose. Later, a single network of a separate type of architectural objects was gradually formed (watchtowers, fire stations), which were expanding according to the development of the city. Buildings where fire service personnel were placed, contained all the necessary means for notifying the population, quick reaction, and counter measuring in the case of an emergency situation and updated with the advent of modern technologies. It should be noted separately that during certain periods of fire protection development this service was located together with the police service, which is an important prerequisite for the formation of a structural and functional organization of modern centers of public safety. Also noteworthy is the fact that the civilian population was involved in fire protection on a voluntary basis. In general, we can say that during the development of the fire service of Ukraine prototypes of networks of public safety centers in cities already existed, but they were not considered as a separate typological group of architectural and urban planning objects. Historically, it happened that the fire service, and in the 20th century - also the civil defense service (which initially was developing separately), during the last decade were united into a single state structure – SESU. The main stages (periods) of the development of which begin with the historical period (before 1494) and end with the modern period of development (arrangement of SESU) from 2012 to the present time. 

Looking Across the Drape: A Novel Quality Improvement Approach to Understanding Surgeon and Anesthesiologist Burnout.

To identify well-being threats for surgeons and anesthesiologists and develop interventions using the Quality of Life Improvement (QOLI) approach. Developing feasible perioperative well-being interventions requires identifying shared and specialty-specific well-being needs. The QOLI framework integrates human-centered design, implementation science, and quality improvement to address well-being needs. Anesthesia and surgery faculty in eight perioperative departments at an academic medical center completed cross-sectional surveys containing validated measures of well-being and workplace satisfaction, and open-ended questions about professional motivations, pain points, strategies for improvement, and well-being priorities. Using template analysis, we analyzed open-ended survey data and presented resulting themes at a joint-specialty town hall for live-voting to identify well-being priorities. 104 perioperative faculty completed the survey. Across specialties, higher MHC-SF scores (representative of individual global well-being) were associated with higher satisfaction with workplace control, values, decision latitude, and social support. Anesthesiologists reported lower satisfaction and control than surgeons across multiple domains. Template analysis yielded five areas for intervention: (1) Work culture, (2) Work environment/resources, (3) Sources of fulfillment, (4) Work/life harmony, (5) Financial compensation. Surgeons and anesthesiologists both prioritized high-quality patient care but differed in their other top priorities. The most frequently cited well-being threats for surgeons were OR inefficiencies/delays and excessive workload, while anesthesiologists cited understaffing and unpredictable work hours. Surgeons and anesthesiologists share many needs and priorities, with pain points that are often negatively synergistic. Applying the QOLI approach across specialties allows for well-being interventions that honor complexity and promote the development of feasible solutions.

‘The Cheering Was Loud and Long’: Practical Feminism and the England Women’s Hockey Tour of Australia in 1927

Australian women’s hockey was the first women’s team sport to establish itself nationally in Australia and the first to play an international match – 1914 against England. In 1925, the All Australia Women’s Hockey Association (AAWHA) invited England to send a team to tour Australia. On October 26, 1926, Mysie Davy, the AAWHA’s international secretary, announced England’s acceptance to tour in 1927 to Sydney’s field hockey community at a fête at the Sydney Town Hall. After Davy’s announcement, it was reported that ‘the cheering was loud and long’. The 1927 English team toured Australia for nine weeks and played 19 matches, including three Test matches against Australia. In studying this tour, there is engagement with the concept of practical feminism introduced by feminist sport scholar Jean Williams in her analysis of the experiences of England’s national women’s field hockey touring teams during the inter-war years. Further, building upon Williams’ work by expanding the practical feminism analysis to cover the opportunities experienced by the English team and a cross-section of Australian women’s field hockey participants, the concept’s application to all levels of field hockey is broadened.

Crossing Barriers – Growing Barriers. Jews in Late Medieval Warsaw

The article deals with the question of the existence of the Jewish community and the barriers between Jews and non-Jews in the Old Warsaw from the 1420s to the 1520s. The contact points and areas of the two communities, as well as the tools used to communicate between them, are distinguished. Firstly, Jewish property in the space of Old Warsaw, as well as neighbouring and economic contacts, are noticed. Then, the presence of Jews both from Warsaw and other towns and regions in court sessions is analysed. Local and Lithuanian or Volhynian Jews appeared in the Old Warsaw town hall. However, the most important place for official meetings of Warsaw Jews with the Christian community was the court for nobles. It is visible that the first half of the fifteenth century was a unique period with a far-reaching agreement between the Christian inhabitants of Warsaw and its surroundings and the members of the local Jewish community. Within the linguistic area, the communication tools were Polish and German, while Latin, possibly familiar to some Jews, was not a significant communication barrier. Hebrew had its position in the bureaucratic system as well. The protection of the local duke secured a relatively harmonious economic cooperation, which was fostered by the then economic situation of Mazovia. The mid-fifteenth century brought a violent turn, which was influenced by the changes in the political and economic situation, as well as the religious atmosphere. Warsaw burghers started to perceive the Jews as competition, as ‘others’, and began to approach them with growing hostility.

Farmland management and community conflicts in the commune of Gogounou

Sustainable land management is at the heart of Africa's development challenge. However, access to and control over natural resources is becoming the main source of conflict between rural producers, particularly farmers and agro-pastoralists. The aim of this study is to analyse farmland management and community conflicts in the commune of Gogounou. The methodological approach is based on data collection, processing (statistical processing; cartographic processing with ArcGIS) and analysis of the results using the SWOT model (Strengths, Weaknesses, Obstacles, Threats). A total of 128 producers were interviewed using an interview guide and a questionnaire. The results of this methodological approach show that the main method of acquiring agricultural land is inheritance (55.86%), which is used for farming (77%) and livestock rearing (23%). However, crop rotation (72.80%) is the most widely used farmland management technique. For 82% of farmers, boundary disputes are the most dominant issue, followed by family disputes (14%) and, lastly, litigation (5%). The main players involved in conflict management are the district chiefs, village delegates or chiefs, the town hall, the police station and the court. In order to deal with this situation, it is imperative that prospects be defined for better land management and real development of farming activities.

Delegation and Employee Prosocial Behaviour in the Hospitality Sector in Port Harcourt

This study primarily examined the relationship between delegation and employee prosocial behaviour in the hospitality sector in Port Harcourt. The study adopted the cross-sectional research survey design. Primary data was generated through structured questionnaire. The population of the study was 1674 employees of 11 selected hotels in Port Harcourt. The sample size was also drawn using the Krejcie and Morgan (1980) sample size determination table. The reliability of the instrument was achieved by the use of the Cronbach Alpha coefficient with all the items scoring above 0.70. The hypotheses were tested using the Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Coefficient. The tests were carried out at a 0.05 significance level. The findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between delegation and employee prosocial behaviour in the hospitality sector in Port Harcourt. Hence, the study concludes that delegation positively enhances employee prosocial behaviour in the hospitality sector in Port Harcourt. Implying that when organizations in hospitality sector actively engage in joint consultation practices, such as open communication, collaboration, and employee involvement in decision-making, there is a notable improvement in prosocial behaviors among employees. Therefore, the study recommends that there is a need to strengthen delegation platforms which involves creating structured forums where both management and employees can engage in meaningful discussions. This could include regular town hall meetings, feedback sessions, and collaborative workshops. By fostering an environment of open communication, these platforms can serve as a foundation for building a positive relationship between stakeholders.

La contribución arquitectónica de Ventura Vaca en Alburquerque a lo largo del tiempo: nuevas aportaciones y significaciones

Recently, an architectural project by the architect Ventura Vaca was discovered in the context of the town of Alburquerque, Badajoz. This discovery has significantly expanded our understanding of Ventura Vaca's relevance and influence in a specific geographical region, while enriching our interpretation of his own architectural work.
 Furthermore, this research undertakes an incipient analysis of the history of the Casas Consistoriales de Alburquerque, with a focus on the project proposed by Ventura Vaca for this building. This project is considered to be the starting point that gave rise to the final town hall construction, which was carried out by the architect Donato Hernández Ruiz.
 Therefore, this study contributes significantly to the existing knowledge about Ventura Vaca, highlighting his crucial role as the driving force behind the transformation of the town of Alburquerque from a rural to an urban society.