A critical ethnographic evaluation of pediatric haematology/oncology physicians and burn-out

Abstract

This qualitative study aims to ascertain what it is that affects pediatric hematology/oncology physicians professional and personal attitudes within their work environment. This research is based in one pediatric oncology unit in western Canada using a critical ethnographic research approach. Critical ethnography was the methodology used to conduct this study. Critical Ethnography (CE) is an interpretative research methodology that allows the researcher to evaluate the cultural aspects of a group, or an organization 'within their setting'; to understand and expose the meaning of the relationships in that environment; without meaning being imposed on them externally. 11 physicians (N?=?11) participated in this study, this represents approximately 80% of the physician population in this unit. Semi-structured interviews were conducted which lasted an average of 36?minutes per interview. Physicians described their relationships with colleagues, patients and families as both rewarding but also producing symptoms of burn-out. The majority agreed that they enjoy their job because of the constantly evolving research and scientific updates in oncology research. There is a paradox of conflicting satisfiers and dissatisfiers mainly pertaining to patient, parent, physician relationships. Consideration to offering sabbatical leave should be assessed.     

A Qualitative Study to Understand Stakeholders’ Views About the Fruits & Veggies (FNV) Social Marketing Campaign to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in the United States

BackgroundIn 2015, the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) piloted a branded social marketing communications initiative called the FNV (Fruits & Veggies) Campaign to promote the sale and consumption of fruits and vegetables among mom and teen target audiences in 2 California and Virginia pilot markets. After the first year, FNV was expanded to multiple markets across the United States through diverse partnerships. Factors, resources, and strategies that contribute to the effectiveness and sustainability of the campaign need to be identified.ObjectiveThe purpose of this qualitative study was to explore diverse stakeholders’ views and expectations about the FNV Campaign design, reach, effectiveness, and impact and prospects for expansion, scale-up, and sustainability.DesignSemistructured interviews were conducted between July and October 2016 with stakeholders to elicit their perspectives and expectations of the FNV Campaign.Participants/settingA purposive sample of diverse stakeholders (n = 22) affiliated with national, state, and local industry and government and nongovernmental organizations.AnalysisData were recorded, transcribed, input into NVivo 11 software (QSR International. Melbourne, Australia), coded and organized thematically using a conceptual framework that examined campaign design, reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, expansion, scaling up, and sustainability.ResultsOpportunities, challenges, and expectations of stakeholders were reported for the FNV Campaign related to engaging future partners from different levels of community, government, and industry; conducting and disseminating findings from multifaceted evaluations; ensuring campaign effectiveness; and developing and improving campaign elements for target audiences and partner adoption. Conducting formative research, partner, and audience engagement, implementation, and evaluation are essential to the ensure effectiveness and sustainability of the FNV Campaign.ConclusionsInsights from this study can inform the strategic use of social marketing campaign elements to facilitate the effectiveness and sustainability of the FNV Campaign as it expands and is scaled up across markets nationwide.     

“I’ll use it differently now”: using dual-systems theory to explore youth engagement with networked technologies

ObjectivesMany young Canadians experience high levels of networked connectivity, which some suggest may negatively impact their health. Adult monitoring has not been shown to be an effective long-term strategy for supporting young people in healthy engagement with tech. In this study, we explore the benefits of empowering young people to set healthy goals and monitor themselves. We engage with Shapka’s (2019) critique of dual-systems theory, and consider the relationship between the neurological and behavioural systems in relation to adolescent internet use.MethodsUsing a youth participatory action research approach, we co-designed a project with six adolescents to explore the ways that their use of networked technologies was affecting their lives by disconnecting and observing how the lack of networked connectivity changed their experiences. The youth used a media diary to track their use of devices both before and after disconnecting.ResultsThe main benefit of disconnecting appeared to be having the opportunity to reflect on one’s own use of networked devices. This enabled the participants to reconnect in a more intentional way. Findings support Shapka’s speculation that dual-systems theory, with a focus on regulation, may not be the most useful way of supporting adolescents in developing healthy habits around their wired tech.ConclusionAdolescent experiences of networked technologies are complex, yet they are able to navigate this landscape with intelligent strategies. Their self-directed exploration of disconnection helped them to become reflexive practitioners who were able to revisit their use of networked technologies with new insights and self-control.     

表面等离子共振技术在中医药研究中应用进展

利用表面等离子共振现象制备的生物传感技术具有无标记、灵敏度高、通量大、特异性强，样品耗损少等优点，在生命科学等众多学科中得到了广泛的关注和应用。近年来该技术也被运用在不少中医药研究的重要领域。本文简要介绍了表面等离子共振原理，总结并评述了在中医药新靶标发现、优效小分子寻找等方向的研究进展和前景。     

Undergraduate medical students. Simulation-based activity to conduct the informed consent process for health research studies

IntroductionTraining through medical simulation allows for continuous learning under controlled conditions. Simulation-based training activities can be used simultaneously with other educational strategies to strengthen the attitudinal skills needed to develop an informed consent process in the context of health research.ObjectiveTo facilitate learning in undergraduate medicine students, and to evaluate their competences to carry out an informed consent process in a scenario that resembles reality.Materials and methodsIn this semi-longitudinal study, a simulation-based activity was conducted with 136 medical students of the fourth (Group A) and fifth year (Group B) of the Marist University of Mérida, in southern Mexico.ResultsThe mean score for both groups was 72.48 ± 1.05 (95% CI = 70.4–74.5); 86.2 ± 0.96 (95% CI = 84.2–88.0); and 77.7 ± 0.72 (95% CI = 76.3–79.1), in the pre-test, the simulation and the post-test, respectively. The students of group A self-evaluated their performance with 3.93/5.00, and those of Group B, 4.04/5.00.DiscussionThis study showed that Group A students did not score lower on simulation-based activity when compared to students in Group B, suggesting that before the fifth year of undergraduate medical education, students could properly develop an informed consent-process for health research if they receive early education about medical ethics and research bioethics. Issues related to bioethics in human health research can be included as soon as medical students initiate research methodology courses.     

中西医结合治疗痰热蕴结型咽喉反流性疾病的临床研究

目的观察中西医结合法治疗痰热蕴结型咽喉反流性疾病的临床疗效。方法选取2018年9月至2019年9月就诊于辽宁中医药大学附属医院耳鼻咽喉科的痰热蕴结型咽喉反流患者60例为研究对象,随机分为对照组和治疗组各30例。对照组采用口服埃索美拉唑镁肠溶片治疗,治疗组在对照组的基础上加服中药汤剂治疗,组成:瓜蒌子15 g、甘草10 g、蜜麻黄10 g、麦冬15 g、生石膏30 g、炒枳壳15 g、炒紫苏子15 g、川贝母2 g、清半夏15 g加减,疗程均为2个月。分别于治疗前和治疗后对患者进行电子喉镜检查,并且观察反流症状指数RSI和反流体征评分RFS量表评分变化,从而进行疗效评价。结果两组治疗均能改善患者症状,但观察组方案优于对照组。结论中西医结合法治疗痰热蕴结型咽喉反流患者疗效显著,大大的改善患者的症状,值得推广。     

Predictors of Lung Cancer Screening Utilization in a Population-Based Survey

PurposeAnnual low-dose CT (LDCT) screening in high-risk individuals has been recommended to detect lung cancer earlier and reduce mortality. The objective of this study was to identify demographic, financial, and health care factors associated with screening uptake in a population-based survey.MethodsData from the Lung Cancer Screening Module and core modules of the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a population-based survey administered via cell phone and landline, were analyzed to examine demographic, health, and financial factors associated with screening uptake among the 10 states that administered the screening module. Weighted frequencies and confidence intervals (CIs) were produced, and weighted Wald χ² tests were used to compare differences in screening utilization by patient characteristics. A multivariate logistic mixed-effects model was constructed, in which participant clustering by state was accounted for with a random intercept.ResultsThe uninsured were less likely to undergo LDCT screening (odds ratio [OR], 0.28; 95% CI, 0.12-0.65). LDCT screening uptake was higher for participants with chronic respiratory conditions (OR, 4.14; 95% CI, 2.33-7.35); those who were divorced, separated, widowed, or refused to answer (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.05-1.86); those who had previous cancer diagnoses (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.40-2.56); and those aged 65 to 69 years (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.06-1.44) or 70 to 74 years (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.00-1.37). Utilization also varied significantly across states.ConclusionsHaving a related health condition whereby participants were sensitized to the benefits of early screening (ie, another cancer diagnosis, presence of chronic respiratory conditions) and having insurance coverage were associated with higher LDCT screening uptake. Providers should engage LDCT-eligible patients through informed and shared decision making to increase preference-sensitive screening decisions.     

黄芪活血功效及现代药理学研究进展

黄芪始载于《神农本草经》,有补气升阳、益卫固表,利水消肿,托毒生肌之效。被誉为补气健脾之要药,临床上常用于气虚乏力、脾虚泄泻等疾病,已为医者所熟知。近年来,研究学者围绕其补气、健脾、利水功效机制已有较全面的认识。然陶弘景在《本草经集注》首载黄芪"逐五脏间恶血",表明本品兼有活血作用。目前,对于本品活血作用机制阐释,中医常基于"补气活血""气行血行"理论进行论证,但并不等同于本品无活血作用。通过梳理历代本草文献中对黄芪的记载,发现其活血作用应用广泛。综合传统方剂与现代方剂中有关其活血作用的应用,本品在方中行活血通络、活血利水、活血扶正作用,尤能体现其活血作用。且现代药理学研究在有关瘀血病理指标的分子机制中,黄芪有很好的调控作用,表明黄芪有活血作用,但未深入探究,存在研究价值。该文从历代文献对黄芪活血功效的论述、黄芪活血作用的临床应用及现代药理学研究深入探讨其活血作用机制,以期扩展黄芪的临床应用范围,为临床治疗提供理论指导。