RESUMEN
The objetive of the study was to identify a) the motivations for communicating about non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in a publicly accessible online forum, b) The significance (if any) of the "publicness" of the behavior. Using a Thematic Analysis of 423 text-based posts from an online NSSI forum, 5 motivations for using the site were identified: confessional, marking a turning point, acting as a deterrent, dispelling myths and offering or seeking support. Motivations for using the site differ markedly from motivations for engaging in NSSI and tend to be more outwardly focused. The publicness of the site therefore seems to be significant in terms of bearing witness, providing the opportunity to confront negative stereotypes, and the ability to seek and offer support to like-minded individuals.
Asunto(s)
Internet/estadística & datos numéricos , Autorrevelación , Conducta Autodestructiva/prevención & control , Red Social , Apoyo Social , Humanos , Motivación , Conducta Autodestructiva/psicología , Intento de Suicidio/prevención & control , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is difficult to diagnose and is characterised by burning pain in one or more limbs. Treatment is palliative not curative and focuses on improving function. This requires patients to make long-term changes to their behaviour. As with all such regimens, adherence is often poor. This study explored the lived experience of 10 patients who had returned home after completing a two-week in-patient treatment programme. The interviews focused on how they coped with the transition from hospital to home, and on the things that they considered had facilitated or hindered this transition. Battling for control was an overarching theme that connected the four superordinate themes: 'gaining momentum' that facilitated the implementation of treatment advice, 'distance from the pool of expertise' that detailed the barriers to adherence experienced; 'It helped me realise it was not all in my head' that detailed a facilitative process, and the 'nag list' that was a technique patients' used to garner support. This article offers insights into the transition experience. A key outcome is the recognition of the need to better prepare patients for their transition back home.
Asunto(s)
Síndromes de Dolor Regional Complejo/rehabilitación , Continuidad de la Atención al Paciente , Servicios de Atención de Salud a Domicilio , Adaptación Psicológica , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Investigación Cualitativa , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Ethical guidance from the British Medical Association (BMA) about treating doctor-patients is compared and contrasted with evidence from a qualitative study of general practitioners (GPs) who have been patients. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 17 GPs who had experienced a significant illness. Their experiences were discussed and issues about both being and treating doctor-patients were revealed. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to evaluate the data. In this article data extracts are used to illustrate and discuss three key points that summarise the BMA ethical guidance, in order to develop a picture of how far experiences map onto guidance. The data illustrate and extend the complexities of the issues outlined by the BMA document. In particular, differences between experienced GPs and those who have recently completed their training are identified. This analysis will be useful for medical professionals both when they themselves are unwell and when they treat doctor-patients. It will also inform recommendations for professionals who educate medical students or trainees.
Asunto(s)
Relaciones Interprofesionales , Relaciones Médico-Paciente , Médicos de Familia/psicología , Calidad de la Atención de Salud/normas , Confidencialidad , Humanos , Relaciones Interprofesionales/ética , Satisfacción del Paciente , Relaciones Médico-Paciente/ética , Calidad de la Atención de Salud/ética , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
AIM: This exploratory study set out to investigate the perceptions and practices of junior healthcare managers with regard to stress at work. BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that cultural change is needed to accommodate a shift towards recognition of organizational responsibility for stress (Schulz et al. 1985). Logically, it can be argued that junior healthcare managers, as potential future senior managers, are best placed to facilitate this change. Junior healthcare managers' current thinking about stress had not yet been explored in depth. METHOD: A combination of critical incident diaries and semistructured interviews was conducted with six junior healthcare managers. The data were analysed and transcribed using a grounded theory approach. FINDINGS: The main themes to emerge were that junior healthcare managers were generally unaware of (a) potential work stressors and (b) the effect of work stressors on their own health and performance and that of their staff. CONCLUSIONS: The perceptions and practices of junior healthcare managers suggest that there is a culture of acceptance and expectation of work stress, combined with a lack of awareness to effectively and proactively manage it.
Asunto(s)
Administradores de Instituciones de Salud/psicología , Medicina Estatal/organización & administración , Estrés Psicológico/etiología , Lugar de Trabajo/psicología , Femenino , Administradores de Instituciones de Salud/organización & administración , Humanos , Relaciones Interprofesionales , Percepción , MuestreoRESUMEN
This paper focuses upon conflict between professional and managerial values in an occupational health setting. Findings are presented which suggest that the guidelines issued by UK occupational health professional bodies (describing the duties and responsibilities of occupational health professionals), have been perceived by professionals as being impractical because they tend to focus on the theoretical role of the professional at the expense of the reality of the experienced role. The paper concludes that the problem does not actually lie with the guidelines, but with the perception of the guidelines. It is suggested that this problem can be addressed by empowering occupational health professionals to interpret and tailor the guidelines to suit their particular working environment. In addition, encouraging occupational health professionals to pro-actively market their role, will result in awareness raising amongst the managers for whom they work who often have inappropriate expectations of the occupational health professionals.
Asunto(s)
Actitud del Personal de Salud , Salud Laboral , Medicina del Trabajo/normas , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto , Organizaciones de Normalización Profesional/normas , Reino UnidoRESUMEN
Occupational health professionals originate from either the medical or the nursing professions (both traditional areas with their own established codes of practice) and work in an industrial setting alongside, for instance, managers, who also have an established, if different code of practice. Occupational health professionals are therefore confronted with the task of integrating their medical role within a managerial context. This paper aims to explore how occupational health professionals overcome the problems inherent in balancing medical with managerial values.
Asunto(s)
Actitud del Personal de Salud , Medicina del Trabajo/normas , Rol del Médico , Ética Médica , Humanos , Guías de Práctica Clínica como AsuntoRESUMEN
Qualitative health research often slams into sensitive barriers in attempting to understand the phenomena under scrutiny. John D. Brewer pointed out that textbooks tend to view areas of sensitivity as purely ethical issues. However, research within sensitive areas requires practical solutions that are not always linked to ethical dilemmas. Practical difficulties abound and demand flexibility and tact on the researcher's part if valuable research is to be carried out. As qualitative researchers, the authors share personal trials and tribulations that have been successfully overcome and integrated into completed research projects. This article outlines some of the problems and pitfalls that may be encountered while conducting sensitive research and offers some ideas that may enable researchers to deal with the "ouch! factor" in a professional and confidential manner. Above all, the authors hold that a sense of humour is one of the essential ingredients for surviving the unexpected ouch! factor.