Quantitative exploration of the barriers and facilitators to nurse-patient communication in Saudia Arabia
- Albagawi, Bander, Jones, Linda
- Authors: Albagawi, Bander , Jones, Linda
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Hospital Administration Vol. 6, no. 1 (2016), p.16-24
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- Description: Nurses with effective communication skills play a critical role in minimising the stress associated with hospitalisation for both patients and their families. Effective communication has become increasingly reported as a key component in effective health care outcomes, which is even more crucial in countries such as Saudi Arabia with a large foreign healthcare workforce. The presence of a large expatriate workforce with a different language from the host society and the ensuing complexity of sociocultural linguistic and heath beliefs systems has been poorly researched. This study aimed to investigate barriers and facilitators of nurse-patient communication in Saudi Arabia using the Nurses’ Self-Administered Communication Survey. The survey was distributed to a random sample of 291 nurses working in medical and surgical departments at five hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The results indicate that the Philippine and Saudi Arabian nurses perceived greater barriers to communication with respect to personal/social characteristics, job specifications and environmental factors then nurses of other nationalities. In addition, nurses with shorter experience in Saudi Arabia perceived greater barriers to communication with respect to the clinical situation of patient and environmental factors than the nurses with longer experience. Lastly, nurses who had not attended specialist courses on communication skills acquisition perceived greater barriers to communication with respect to personal characteristics and job specifications than nurses who had attended such courses. This study highlights the need to better prepare expatriate nurses before they enter the workforce in Saudi Arabia on cultural competence and language skills.
- Authors: Albagawi, Bander , Jones, Linda
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Hospital Administration Vol. 6, no. 1 (2016), p.16-24
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- Description: Nurses with effective communication skills play a critical role in minimising the stress associated with hospitalisation for both patients and their families. Effective communication has become increasingly reported as a key component in effective health care outcomes, which is even more crucial in countries such as Saudi Arabia with a large foreign healthcare workforce. The presence of a large expatriate workforce with a different language from the host society and the ensuing complexity of sociocultural linguistic and heath beliefs systems has been poorly researched. This study aimed to investigate barriers and facilitators of nurse-patient communication in Saudi Arabia using the Nurses’ Self-Administered Communication Survey. The survey was distributed to a random sample of 291 nurses working in medical and surgical departments at five hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The results indicate that the Philippine and Saudi Arabian nurses perceived greater barriers to communication with respect to personal/social characteristics, job specifications and environmental factors then nurses of other nationalities. In addition, nurses with shorter experience in Saudi Arabia perceived greater barriers to communication with respect to the clinical situation of patient and environmental factors than the nurses with longer experience. Lastly, nurses who had not attended specialist courses on communication skills acquisition perceived greater barriers to communication with respect to personal characteristics and job specifications than nurses who had attended such courses. This study highlights the need to better prepare expatriate nurses before they enter the workforce in Saudi Arabia on cultural competence and language skills.
Views and perceptions of local council partners concerning a regional-scale health promotion initiative in rural Australia
- Lê, Quynh, Auckland, Stuart, Nguyen, Hoang, Terry, Daniel
- Authors: Lê, Quynh , Auckland, Stuart , Nguyen, Hoang , Terry, Daniel
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 2, no. 7 (2014), p. 181-188
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- Description: There are a number of risk factors which increasingly impact the health and wellbeing of Australians, particularly in rural communities. To address the health and wellbeing of communities, local governments are taking on a more focused role by supporting healthy community initiatives (HCI). This paper presents local council partners perceptions concerning a regional-scale health promotion initiative that was undertaken in rural Tasmania, Australia. The evaluation provides insight into the future decisions and strategies that may be developed to improve processes, methods and outcomes of health initiatives undertaken by local governments. The study used a mixed methods approach collecting data through a questionnaire, focus group discussions and interviews with stakeholders and participating councils to provide an understanding of the effectiveness and success of, and barriers to, the health promotion initiative. It was found that there was an emphasis by local councils on programs that promoted physical activities, while programs that focused on healthy food and other health promotion topics, such as quit smoking and healthy workplaces were less emphasised. Overall, the health promotion initiative was perceived to be effective; however, there was little measureable evidence as to the outcomes of the various projects within the initiative and there was concern regarding the sustainability of the initiative beyond the funding timeframe. Community based, health promotion interventions are complex. Local government are suitably placed to deliver health promotion initiatives, as they have a greater understanding and can affect the greatest change by investing in projects with the highest priority among those communities within their boundaries. Nevertheless, sustainability of projects beyond funding allocation, while building and improving partnerships among local governments, and service agencies to pool resources and capture specific target groups must be central to ongoing initiatives.
- Authors: Lê, Quynh , Auckland, Stuart , Nguyen, Hoang , Terry, Daniel
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 2, no. 7 (2014), p. 181-188
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- Description: There are a number of risk factors which increasingly impact the health and wellbeing of Australians, particularly in rural communities. To address the health and wellbeing of communities, local governments are taking on a more focused role by supporting healthy community initiatives (HCI). This paper presents local council partners perceptions concerning a regional-scale health promotion initiative that was undertaken in rural Tasmania, Australia. The evaluation provides insight into the future decisions and strategies that may be developed to improve processes, methods and outcomes of health initiatives undertaken by local governments. The study used a mixed methods approach collecting data through a questionnaire, focus group discussions and interviews with stakeholders and participating councils to provide an understanding of the effectiveness and success of, and barriers to, the health promotion initiative. It was found that there was an emphasis by local councils on programs that promoted physical activities, while programs that focused on healthy food and other health promotion topics, such as quit smoking and healthy workplaces were less emphasised. Overall, the health promotion initiative was perceived to be effective; however, there was little measureable evidence as to the outcomes of the various projects within the initiative and there was concern regarding the sustainability of the initiative beyond the funding timeframe. Community based, health promotion interventions are complex. Local government are suitably placed to deliver health promotion initiatives, as they have a greater understanding and can affect the greatest change by investing in projects with the highest priority among those communities within their boundaries. Nevertheless, sustainability of projects beyond funding allocation, while building and improving partnerships among local governments, and service agencies to pool resources and capture specific target groups must be central to ongoing initiatives.
Physiotherapy for freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Miller, Kyle, Suarez-Iglesias, David, Seijo-Martinez, Manuel, Ayan, Carlos
- Authors: Miller, Kyle , Suarez-Iglesias, David , Seijo-Martinez, Manuel , Ayan, Carlos
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Revista De Neurologia Vol. 70, no. 5 (Mar 2020), p. 161-170
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- Description: Introduction. Freezing of gait (FOG) is one of the most severe symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Physiotherapy treatment could be an effective strategy for treating FOG, but no systematic review has been carried out in this regard. Aim. To identify the characteristics, methodological quality, and main outcomes of the studies that have analyzed the effects of physiotherapy interventions in FOG up to date, by performing a systematic review and a meta-analysis. Patients and methods. Four electronic databases were searched in order to find randomized controlled trials that provided information regarding the effects of any kind of physiotherapy treatment on FOG. The methodological quality of the included investigations was assessed by means of the PEDro scale. Results. Twelve studies were identified for inclusion into the qualitative analysis, with four randomized controlled trials included in the final meta-analysis. The quality of the trials was generally good. Those physiotherapy modalities including cues were more effective for treating FOG than traditional physiotherapy approaches. The meta-analysis indicated that physiotherapy interventions had a significantly greater impact on FOG than control comparisons. Conclusions. Physiotherapy treatment, especially those modalities including visual and auditory cueing, should be prescribed to PD patients with FOG. Future studies including PD patients with cognitive impairment and FOG objective measurement tools are need to complete the existing scientific evidence.
- Authors: Miller, Kyle , Suarez-Iglesias, David , Seijo-Martinez, Manuel , Ayan, Carlos
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Revista De Neurologia Vol. 70, no. 5 (Mar 2020), p. 161-170
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- Description: Introduction. Freezing of gait (FOG) is one of the most severe symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Physiotherapy treatment could be an effective strategy for treating FOG, but no systematic review has been carried out in this regard. Aim. To identify the characteristics, methodological quality, and main outcomes of the studies that have analyzed the effects of physiotherapy interventions in FOG up to date, by performing a systematic review and a meta-analysis. Patients and methods. Four electronic databases were searched in order to find randomized controlled trials that provided information regarding the effects of any kind of physiotherapy treatment on FOG. The methodological quality of the included investigations was assessed by means of the PEDro scale. Results. Twelve studies were identified for inclusion into the qualitative analysis, with four randomized controlled trials included in the final meta-analysis. The quality of the trials was generally good. Those physiotherapy modalities including cues were more effective for treating FOG than traditional physiotherapy approaches. The meta-analysis indicated that physiotherapy interventions had a significantly greater impact on FOG than control comparisons. Conclusions. Physiotherapy treatment, especially those modalities including visual and auditory cueing, should be prescribed to PD patients with FOG. Future studies including PD patients with cognitive impairment and FOG objective measurement tools are need to complete the existing scientific evidence.
Seeking approval from universities to research the views of their staff : do gatekeepers provide a barrier to ethical research?
- Christian, Katherine, Johnstone, Carolyn, Larkins, Jo-Ann, Wright, Wendy
- Authors: Christian, Katherine , Johnstone, Carolyn , Larkins, Jo-Ann , Wright, Wendy
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics Vol. 17, no. 3 (2022), p. 317-328
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- Description: A “gatekeeper” controls access to an organization; “gatekeeper approval” is often needed before external research can take place within an organization. We explore the need for gatekeeper approval for research with university staff employing, as a case study, a project which collected data in Australia. This case study addresses known issues, seemingly rarely addressed in the literature. The Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC)'s requirement for approval from individual universities to approach their staff brought significant consequences, exacerbated by the lack of university procedures for such approvals. Simultaneously, since invitations could legitimately be distributed via other avenues, such approval was superfluous. We recommend the HREC's blanket requirement for institutional approval instead be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the risk of the research, and perhaps waived for low-risk research where participants are able to provide informed consent, and that universities establish processes to deal with requests from external researchers. © The Author(s) 2022.
- Authors: Christian, Katherine , Johnstone, Carolyn , Larkins, Jo-Ann , Wright, Wendy
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics Vol. 17, no. 3 (2022), p. 317-328
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- Description: A “gatekeeper” controls access to an organization; “gatekeeper approval” is often needed before external research can take place within an organization. We explore the need for gatekeeper approval for research with university staff employing, as a case study, a project which collected data in Australia. This case study addresses known issues, seemingly rarely addressed in the literature. The Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC)'s requirement for approval from individual universities to approach their staff brought significant consequences, exacerbated by the lack of university procedures for such approvals. Simultaneously, since invitations could legitimately be distributed via other avenues, such approval was superfluous. We recommend the HREC's blanket requirement for institutional approval instead be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the risk of the research, and perhaps waived for low-risk research where participants are able to provide informed consent, and that universities establish processes to deal with requests from external researchers. © The Author(s) 2022.
What factors affect implementation of early rehabilitation into intensive care unit practice? A qualitative study with clinicians
- Parry, Selina, Remedios, Louisa, Denehy, Linda, Knight, Laura, Beach, Lisa, Rollinson, Thomas, Berney, Sue, Puthucheary, Zudin, Morris, Peter, Granger, Catherine
- Authors: Parry, Selina , Remedios, Louisa , Denehy, Linda , Knight, Laura , Beach, Lisa , Rollinson, Thomas , Berney, Sue , Puthucheary, Zudin , Morris, Peter , Granger, Catherine
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Critical Care Vol. 38, no. (2017), p. 137-143
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- Description: Purpose To identify the barriers and enablers that influence clinicians' implementation of early rehabilitation in critical care. Materials and methods Qualitative study involving 26 multidisciplinary participants who were recruited using purposive sampling. Four focus groups were conducted using semistructured questions to explore attitudes, beliefs, and experiences. Data were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was performed. Results Six themes emerged, as follows: (1) the clinicians' expectations and knowledge (including rationale for rehabilitation, perceived benefits, and experience), (2) the evidence for and application of rehabilitation (including beliefs regarding when to intervene), (3) patient factors (including prognosis, sedation, delirium, cooperation, motivation, goals, and family), (4) safety considerations (including physiological stability and presence of devices or lines), (5) environmental influences (staffing, resources, equipment, time, and competing priorities), and (6) culture and teamwork. Key strategies identified to facilitate rehabilitation included addressing educational needs for all multidisciplinary team members, supporting junior nursing staff, and potential expansion of physiotherapy staffing hours to closer align with the 24-hour patient care model. Conclusions Key barriers to implementation of early rehabilitation in critical care are diverse and include both clinician- and health care system–related factors. Research targeted at bridging this evidence-practice gap is required to improve provision of rehabilitation. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.
- Authors: Parry, Selina , Remedios, Louisa , Denehy, Linda , Knight, Laura , Beach, Lisa , Rollinson, Thomas , Berney, Sue , Puthucheary, Zudin , Morris, Peter , Granger, Catherine
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Critical Care Vol. 38, no. (2017), p. 137-143
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- Description: Purpose To identify the barriers and enablers that influence clinicians' implementation of early rehabilitation in critical care. Materials and methods Qualitative study involving 26 multidisciplinary participants who were recruited using purposive sampling. Four focus groups were conducted using semistructured questions to explore attitudes, beliefs, and experiences. Data were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was performed. Results Six themes emerged, as follows: (1) the clinicians' expectations and knowledge (including rationale for rehabilitation, perceived benefits, and experience), (2) the evidence for and application of rehabilitation (including beliefs regarding when to intervene), (3) patient factors (including prognosis, sedation, delirium, cooperation, motivation, goals, and family), (4) safety considerations (including physiological stability and presence of devices or lines), (5) environmental influences (staffing, resources, equipment, time, and competing priorities), and (6) culture and teamwork. Key strategies identified to facilitate rehabilitation included addressing educational needs for all multidisciplinary team members, supporting junior nursing staff, and potential expansion of physiotherapy staffing hours to closer align with the 24-hour patient care model. Conclusions Key barriers to implementation of early rehabilitation in critical care are diverse and include both clinician- and health care system–related factors. Research targeted at bridging this evidence-practice gap is required to improve provision of rehabilitation. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.
A systematic literature review of workplace physical activity programs : an exploration of barriers and enabling factors
- Dabkowski, Elissa, Porter, Joanne, Barbagallo, Michael, Prokopiv, Val, Snell, Christopher, Missen, Karen
- Authors: Dabkowski, Elissa , Porter, Joanne , Barbagallo, Michael , Prokopiv, Val , Snell, Christopher , Missen, Karen
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Cogent Psychology Vol. 10, no. 1 (2023), p.
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- Description: Physical inactivity continues to be a global issue with many adolescents and adults failing to meet the recommendations for daily exercise. Efforts to reduce physical inactivity in adults include the incorporation of strategies such as workplace physical activity programs, especially for sedentary workers. In this systematic literature review we examined current literature about the efficacy of workplace physical activity programs, as well as the barriers and enablers to these programs. Six EBSCO databases were searched (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles and SPORTDiscus with full text) between a ten year period (2011 to 2021). The search terms used were “physical activity”, “workplace” and “program” along with their variations. Following a systematic process, eighteen papers met the eligibility criteria. The authors analysed the findings using a narrative synthesis, in which four themes emerged from the data. These include Benefits to physical health, Benefits to mental health, Barriers to workplace physical activity and Workplace activity enablers. These findings provided several recommendations for organizations that endeavour to improve the health of workplace employees. Generalised workplace physical activity programs were viewed favourably by both employees and employers. Incorporating these practices into daily work structures may provide favourable outcomes such as increased work productivity and reduced physical inactivity. © 2023 The Author(s). This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license.
- Authors: Dabkowski, Elissa , Porter, Joanne , Barbagallo, Michael , Prokopiv, Val , Snell, Christopher , Missen, Karen
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Cogent Psychology Vol. 10, no. 1 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
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- Description: Physical inactivity continues to be a global issue with many adolescents and adults failing to meet the recommendations for daily exercise. Efforts to reduce physical inactivity in adults include the incorporation of strategies such as workplace physical activity programs, especially for sedentary workers. In this systematic literature review we examined current literature about the efficacy of workplace physical activity programs, as well as the barriers and enablers to these programs. Six EBSCO databases were searched (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles and SPORTDiscus with full text) between a ten year period (2011 to 2021). The search terms used were “physical activity”, “workplace” and “program” along with their variations. Following a systematic process, eighteen papers met the eligibility criteria. The authors analysed the findings using a narrative synthesis, in which four themes emerged from the data. These include Benefits to physical health, Benefits to mental health, Barriers to workplace physical activity and Workplace activity enablers. These findings provided several recommendations for organizations that endeavour to improve the health of workplace employees. Generalised workplace physical activity programs were viewed favourably by both employees and employers. Incorporating these practices into daily work structures may provide favourable outcomes such as increased work productivity and reduced physical inactivity. © 2023 The Author(s). This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license.
People living with dementia and their family carers’ adherence to home-based Tai Chi practice
- Barrado-Martín, Yolanda, Heward, Michelle, Polman, Remco, Nyman, Samuel
- Authors: Barrado-Martín, Yolanda , Heward, Michelle , Polman, Remco , Nyman, Samuel
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Dementia Vol. 20, no. 5 (2021), p. 1586-1603
- Relation: The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article: The TACIT Trial and PhD studentship awarded to Dr Yolanda Barrado-Martín are funded by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Career Development Fellowship awarded to Dr Samuel R. Nyman, Bournemouth University. This article presents independent research funded by the NIHR’s Career Development Fellowship Program [grant number CDF-2015-08-030].
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- Description: Objectives: The aim of this study was to understand what influenced people living with dementia and their family carers’ adherence to the home-based component of a Tai Chi exercise intervention. Method: Dyads, of people living with dementia and their family carers, who participated in the intervention arm of the Tai Chi for people living with dementia trial, were invited to join weekly Tai Chi classes for 20 weeks and practice at home. Semi-structured dyadic home interviews were conducted on average after 16 weeks of classes. The views of 15 dyads with a range of home practice adherence were sought in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Results: Most participants found time to practise Tai Chi at home and practised for 18 hours on average. Amongst the barriers to adherence were participants’ competing commitments and a booklet not sufficiently conveying the Tai Chi movements. Hence, a video or DVD was requested by participants. Facilitators of their adherence to the home-based component of the intervention were their enjoyment of the practice and the development of a habit, which was supported by their commitment to the study and their willingness to benefit from Tai Chi. Conclusion: Enjoyment and perceived benefits had a great impact on participants living with dementia and their carers’ adherence to home-based Tai Chi practice. However, difficulties to perceive the Tai Chi movements through images might be hindering sustained participation. Hence, alternative aids such as videos and DVDs should be explored to facilitate adherence. © The Author(s) 2020.
- Authors: Barrado-Martín, Yolanda , Heward, Michelle , Polman, Remco , Nyman, Samuel
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Dementia Vol. 20, no. 5 (2021), p. 1586-1603
- Relation: The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article: The TACIT Trial and PhD studentship awarded to Dr Yolanda Barrado-Martín are funded by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Career Development Fellowship awarded to Dr Samuel R. Nyman, Bournemouth University. This article presents independent research funded by the NIHR’s Career Development Fellowship Program [grant number CDF-2015-08-030].
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- Description: Objectives: The aim of this study was to understand what influenced people living with dementia and their family carers’ adherence to the home-based component of a Tai Chi exercise intervention. Method: Dyads, of people living with dementia and their family carers, who participated in the intervention arm of the Tai Chi for people living with dementia trial, were invited to join weekly Tai Chi classes for 20 weeks and practice at home. Semi-structured dyadic home interviews were conducted on average after 16 weeks of classes. The views of 15 dyads with a range of home practice adherence were sought in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Results: Most participants found time to practise Tai Chi at home and practised for 18 hours on average. Amongst the barriers to adherence were participants’ competing commitments and a booklet not sufficiently conveying the Tai Chi movements. Hence, a video or DVD was requested by participants. Facilitators of their adherence to the home-based component of the intervention were their enjoyment of the practice and the development of a habit, which was supported by their commitment to the study and their willingness to benefit from Tai Chi. Conclusion: Enjoyment and perceived benefits had a great impact on participants living with dementia and their carers’ adherence to home-based Tai Chi practice. However, difficulties to perceive the Tai Chi movements through images might be hindering sustained participation. Hence, alternative aids such as videos and DVDs should be explored to facilitate adherence. © The Author(s) 2020.
Adherence to the class-based component of a tai chi exercise intervention for people living with dementia and their informal carers
- Barrado-Martín, Yolanda, Heward, Michelle, Polman, Remco, Nyman, Samuel
- Authors: Barrado-Martín, Yolanda , Heward, Michelle , Polman, Remco , Nyman, Samuel
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Aging and Physical Activity Vol. 29, no. 5 (2021), p. 721-734
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- Description: The objective of this study was to understand the experiences of people living with dementia and their informal carers' taking part together (in dyads) in Tai Chi classes and the aspects influencing their adherence. Dyads' experiences of taking part in Tai Chi classes for 20 weeks within the TACIT Trial were explored through class observations (n = 22 dyads), home-interviews (n = 15 dyads), and feedback. Data were inductively coded following thematic analysis. Tai Chi classes designed for people with dementia and their informal carers were enjoyable and its movements, easy to learn. Facilitators of participants' adherence were the socializing component and their enjoyment of the classes, whereas unexpected health problems were the main barrier. Finding the optimal level of challenge in the class setting might be crucial for people with dementia to feel satisfied with their progression over sessions and enable their continued participation. © 2021 Human Kinetics, Inc.
- Authors: Barrado-Martín, Yolanda , Heward, Michelle , Polman, Remco , Nyman, Samuel
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Aging and Physical Activity Vol. 29, no. 5 (2021), p. 721-734
- Full Text:
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- Description: The objective of this study was to understand the experiences of people living with dementia and their informal carers' taking part together (in dyads) in Tai Chi classes and the aspects influencing their adherence. Dyads' experiences of taking part in Tai Chi classes for 20 weeks within the TACIT Trial were explored through class observations (n = 22 dyads), home-interviews (n = 15 dyads), and feedback. Data were inductively coded following thematic analysis. Tai Chi classes designed for people with dementia and their informal carers were enjoyable and its movements, easy to learn. Facilitators of participants' adherence were the socializing component and their enjoyment of the classes, whereas unexpected health problems were the main barrier. Finding the optimal level of challenge in the class setting might be crucial for people with dementia to feel satisfied with their progression over sessions and enable their continued participation. © 2021 Human Kinetics, Inc.
Finding a place for organic waste-to-energy in Australian agribusiness
- Authors: Hurley, Craig
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
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- Description: This thesis seeks to understand Australian agribusiness engagement with approaches to generate energy from organic waste materials. Applications of modern bioenergy technologies, utilising agriculture residues to produce electrical, thermal and transport energy, have been well established in many parts of the world. There has been enthusiasm for bioenergy from agriculture to make a substantial contribution to Australia’s energy mix, but the agriculture sector, like Australia more generally, has been slow to transition to bioenergy technologies. Adopting the pragmatism research philosophy, this study applies the Multi-Level Perspective and Social Practice Approach frameworks to explore Australian agribusiness engagement with bioenergy systems, to produce energy from organic waste. A multi-methods qualitative research methodology is used to analyse the adoption of organic waste-to-energy approaches by Australian agribusiness, and to identify the critical drivers and barriers impacting these transitions. Except for sugar processors, Australian agribusiness adoption of organic waste-to-energy approaches is in its very early stages. The main drivers prompting agribusinesses to explore their organic waste-to-energy options are, agribusinesses experiencing problems with the cost and/or quality of their energy supplies, and/or problems with the social acceptance of their existing organic waste management practices. The main barriers to agribusinesses making the transition to bioenergy technologies, include financial factors such as the high capital costs of bioenergy plants and low returns on investment. Other barriers include a low level of awareness and understanding of bioenergy approaches in the agriculture industry, and in Australia more broadly, and a lack of consultative expertise to develop and service bioenergy systems. For organic waste-to-energy to play a more substantial role in Australian agriculture, support is needed to overcome critical barriers. This study finds policy and support mechanisms are required to encourage greater collaboration of small-scale agribusinesses and other relevant stakeholders. Investment is also needed to increase Australia’s awareness and understanding of organic waste-to-energy approaches, and to build the consultative expertise and skills-base to support the development of bioenergy systems.
- Description: Doctor of Philiosophy
- Authors: Hurley, Craig
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis seeks to understand Australian agribusiness engagement with approaches to generate energy from organic waste materials. Applications of modern bioenergy technologies, utilising agriculture residues to produce electrical, thermal and transport energy, have been well established in many parts of the world. There has been enthusiasm for bioenergy from agriculture to make a substantial contribution to Australia’s energy mix, but the agriculture sector, like Australia more generally, has been slow to transition to bioenergy technologies. Adopting the pragmatism research philosophy, this study applies the Multi-Level Perspective and Social Practice Approach frameworks to explore Australian agribusiness engagement with bioenergy systems, to produce energy from organic waste. A multi-methods qualitative research methodology is used to analyse the adoption of organic waste-to-energy approaches by Australian agribusiness, and to identify the critical drivers and barriers impacting these transitions. Except for sugar processors, Australian agribusiness adoption of organic waste-to-energy approaches is in its very early stages. The main drivers prompting agribusinesses to explore their organic waste-to-energy options are, agribusinesses experiencing problems with the cost and/or quality of their energy supplies, and/or problems with the social acceptance of their existing organic waste management practices. The main barriers to agribusinesses making the transition to bioenergy technologies, include financial factors such as the high capital costs of bioenergy plants and low returns on investment. Other barriers include a low level of awareness and understanding of bioenergy approaches in the agriculture industry, and in Australia more broadly, and a lack of consultative expertise to develop and service bioenergy systems. For organic waste-to-energy to play a more substantial role in Australian agriculture, support is needed to overcome critical barriers. This study finds policy and support mechanisms are required to encourage greater collaboration of small-scale agribusinesses and other relevant stakeholders. Investment is also needed to increase Australia’s awareness and understanding of organic waste-to-energy approaches, and to build the consultative expertise and skills-base to support the development of bioenergy systems.
- Description: Doctor of Philiosophy
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