ABSTRACT
Aim(s): This participatory research project gathered the views of young people (YP) with an education, health and care plan (EHCP), enrolled in a supported internship programme (SIP) at a further education (FE) college. Rationale: There is little published researched exploring the experience of FE for YP with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Furthermore, this group have had minimal opportunities to shape the research agenda through participatory involvement. Methods: A participatory design involved four YP with SEND enrolled in a SIP, who acted as co-researchers and participants. Data gathering, chosen by co-researchers, comprised of photo-voice and interview techniques. The primary researcher assisted the co-researchers via facilitating sessions and analysing data using inductive thematic analysis. Findings: Developing friendships, independence, work skills and travel skills were valued by co-researchers, although opportunities were limited by the Covid-19 lockdown. Co-researchers indicated specific inequalities and were critical of national policy. Implications: SIPs are a positive experience for YP with SEND, widening opportunities for independence and social connections. Lockdown had a negative impact by limiting such opportunities. Limitations: This project draws on the views of a small sample of YP. Conducting the project remotely posed limitations on supporting YP with communication difficulties. Time limitations hampered opportunities to support co-researchers to develop their ideas for projects and to collaborate extensively in data analysis or discussion of the findings. Conclusions: Involving YP with SEND in the design of research enhances opportunities for YP to share views on what really matters to them and shape regular and policy planning. © 2022, British Psychological Society. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Purpose : The disruption of COVID-19 has caused differential impacts on vulnerable populations. This study tested the hypothesis that persons with visual impairment in Ann Arbor and Detroit, MI faced increased difficulty in their daily lives since summer 2020 during the pandemic compared to normally sighted individuals. Methods : We administered the Coronavirus Disability Survey (COV-DIS) to assess general and psychological health, isolation, financial and transportation challenges, information access and instrumental activities of daily living. Our study population included 112 adults recruited from the University of Michigan (UM) Health System and 151 adults recruited from the Henry Ford Health System (HF) in Detroit, MI with moderate or worse visual impairment (<20/60 in better-seeing eye), and 160 age/sex-matched controls (C). The COV-DIS was administered via phone or email. The UM IRB approved this study and all participants provided informed consent. Results : There were no significant site differences in age or visual acuity of participants. Participants with visual impairment at Henry Ford (VIHF) lived in more disadvantaged neighborhoods (higher Area Deprivation Index) compared with UM participants with visual impairment (VIUM) (66 VIHF 52 VIUM;p<.01). All groups reported similar overall health prior to the pandemic. However, a greater proportion of VIHF participants reported somewhat or much worse health than pre-pandemic compared with VIUM or controls (C) (25% VIHF, 10% VIUM, 12% C;p=.003). Participants with visual impairment had more difficulty accessing medical care since the start of the pandemic (13% VI, 6% C;p=.049). One-quarter of participants reported difficulty obtaining trusted information during the pandemic;those with vision impairment were more likely to find the information hard to understand (10% VI, 3% C;p=.01). Conclusions : COVID-19 and associated mitigation measures had differential effects on populations with visual impairment. Participants with visual impairment in Detroit were more likely to report a negative impact on their health than participants from Ann Arbor, MI. Those with visual impairment in both locations faced greater challenges accessing medical care and trusted and understandable information related to the pandemic. This information may be helpful for shaping health policy to address the barriers faced by individuals with visual impairment.
ABSTRACT
Purpose : Describing the procedures conducted during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the department of ophthalmology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI and understanding how the demographics of these patients compared to preceding years Methods : Electronic medical record data at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI was queried for all operative procedures. The procedures must have met three criteria: 1) scheduled from March 15th to May 19th, 2020, 2) A staff ophthalmologist as the primary surgeon, 3) The procedure status was completed. Parallel dates in the preceding three years 2017- 2019 were queried to use as controls. Information obtained for each procedure included: date, procedure completed, age, race, sex, primary insurer, class of procedure (inpatient vs. outpatient). 2-tailed equal proportions tests and 2-tailed T tests were used to determine statistical significance of 2020 vs. preceding years 2017-2019. Results : On average, there was a 94% decline in the number of procedures in 2020 compared to the average of the three preceding years. Over 800 surgical procedures were postponed during the pandemic. Retina procedures were most prevalent in 2020. Significantly younger patients were seen in 2020. There were no significant difference in race distributions by year. There was a significantly higher proportion of males who underwent operative procedures in 2020. Significantly more procedures were done with inpatient status compared to outpatient compared to preceding years Conclusions : It is estimated that there is a 80-100% reduction in ophthalmologic surgical cases during COVID, which was consistent with our study of 94% decrease. The younger age group seen in 2020 was likely multifactorial, partially thought to be secondary to cancelling routine cataract and lens procedures on a largely older population skews the average age of procedures to the right, as well as a higher incidence of trauma requiring emergent procedural intervention in younger individuals such as for orbital floor fractures. Regarding a higher proportion of men, retinal procedures more commonly occur in men, and ambulatory procedures like cataract extraction which were cancelled during the pandemic are more commonly occur in women. We found no differences by race, which requires further study, and may possibly related to differences in baseline characteristics.
ABSTRACT
Service or Program: A COVID-19 prevention program was implemented by clinical pharmacists to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in homeless shelters in Victorville, CA. The pharmacy team developed policies and procedures based on the CDC's Guidance for Homeless Service Providers. Shelter staff were trained to follow intake and quarantine protocols assessing symptoms of COVID-19 and medical history before integrating new residents. Residents at high risk of COVID-19-related medical complications receive PCR testing by pharmacists. The pharmacy team also provides personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitation training for shelter staff. Pharmacists continue to provide oversight to external quarantine sites utilized for confirmed positive cases. Through this collaboration with homeless shelters, city officials, and health departments, pharmacists implemented services to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the underserved community. Justification/Documentation: People experiencing unsheltered homelessness may be at risk for infection when there is community spread of COVID-19 due to minimal social distancing, inadequate PPE, and lack of personal hygiene and access to sanitation facilities. With higher rates of chronic diseases, homeless individuals are at increased risk for COVID-19 complications including hospitalizations and death. This program provided testing to 150 homeless individuals and allows shelters to continue housing over 400 individuals in the city. Adaptability: Pharmacists possess the necessary clinical knowledge and skills required to develop and adopt novel coronavirus prevention. The US Department of Health and Human Services guidance gave pharmacists the authority to order and administer COVID-19 tests. Pharmacists providing services to underserved populations in community and clinic settings can partner with local shelters to implement a similar protocol to prevent COVID-19 spread in the homeless population. Significance: Pharmacists optimize patient care by providing response planning and medical oversight to underserved communities during a global pandemic. Working alongside partners that serve the homeless community positions pharmacists to play a critical role in infection prevention during the pandemic.