ABSTRACT
Background: In response to the limitations on fieldwork imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we describe and assess a remote method for documenting plant-related knowledge, using smartphones that requires no in-person interaction between an on-site Indigenous community and off-site researchers. Methods: The on-site team identified the Indigenous taxa, created equivalents of photo vouchers, and recorded their names and uses as voice messages using a smartphone, thereby learning about plants from one another. They then sent the data using WhatsApp messages to the off-site team, who identified the botanical names of the taxa, and analyzed the plant-related knowledge. Results: We assess the remote, collaborative, and transdisciplinary quality of the method, factoring in communication, audiovisual documentation, species identification, knowledge exchange, logistics, and ethics. Despite the problems we experienced with identifying taxa growing in high forest and translation issues that complicated the documentation of plant uses, the method was on the whole a success. It allowed the on-site team to activate their passive knowledge of their language and share their knowledge with their relatives. The off-site team identified 57% of the recorded 54 taxa to species level and documented their names and uses as primary audio data, which keep on enhancing the quality of the documentation. Conclusions: Smartphones can be used as research tools during periods of restricted physical access, but also to extend research beyond the fleeting field visits and to elevate the empirical standard of ethnobotany when it comes to language data. We see such remote research solutions not as replacements for in-person collaborations, but as valid and dynamically evolving research methods in their own right. © 2023, Ilia State University, Institute of Botany, Department of Ethnobotany. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 crisis has spotlighted particular insidious social problems, including gender-based violence (GBV), and their relationship with movement and confinement. As well as changing configurations of GBV, the experience of the global pandemic and the immobilities of national lockdowns have created space to imagine GBV - to connect with past experiences in the context of our rethinking of current experiences across multiple spaces. In this article we explicate a transdisciplinary feminist collaborative autoethnographic storying of GBV during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the 'trans/feminist methodology' of Pryse (2000), we seek to contribute knowledge of GBV through the lens of COVID-19 using our own experiential life storying. In this article we show the potential of this method in understanding lived experiences over time that are situated in a specific context. Our experiences of GBV, as viewed through the pandemic, are presented as fragments, which then make up a collective narrative that illustrates our shared experiences of GBV in all its forms, across multiple spaces and throughout our life histories. In this common story, GBV is considered to im/mobilise - to stagnate our range of mobilities to varying degrees across these spaces and times.
ABSTRACT
Objective The COVID-19 pandemic requires a nimble approach to building trust between healthcare providers and community. Crowdsourcing is one community-engaged approach that may be effective at engaging marginalised communities to identify ways to build trust. This early-stage innovation report assesses the effectiveness of using a crowdsourcing contest to elicit community ideas on how to build trust between healthcare providers and community about COVID-19 and promote community engagement about vaccines. Methods This mixed-methods study conducted a qualitative assessment of crowdsourcing contest entries and evaluated online community engagement via social media analytics (reach, video views, engagement). Themes from contest entries informed the development of community leader video interviews. Qualitative data from contest entries were digitally transcribed and analysed using axial coding. Results Contest participants (n=19) were European Americans (n=10), African Americans (n=8, 87%) and American Indians (n=1), the majority of whom identified as women (n=18) and were 18-80 years old. Contest entry recommendations included: (1) partner with community stakeholders and providers, (2) improve access to credible information from trusted sources, (3) use multiple channels of communication, and (4) use clear and plain language. Conclusion Crowdsourcing contests coupled with public education are beneficial community engagement tools to identify new ways to promote trust between medical professionals and diverse community members about COVID-19. Crowdsourcing contests also provide opportunity for partnership and critical dialogue between healthcare professionals and community leaders.Copyright © 2023 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: Compared to their non-caregiving peers, caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD) endure higher psychological distress, social isolation and increased morbidity and disability. Stress and isolation experienced by caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic have added to caregiver burden and worsened health. The objective of this study was to obtain a greater understanding of the health and needs of informal caregivers of PWD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): Using a cross-sectional questionnaire, we attained demographic data, characteristics of caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health status, COVID-19 testing and illness, and protective measures taken to prevent infection with COVID-19 among caregivers of PWD. From March 2021 to August 2021, respondents were recruited through the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity's Alzheimer's disease (AD) registry. Descriptive statistics (frequency and proportions) of demographic, caregiving, health, and COVID-19 related data for caregivers of PWD was conducted using SAS software version 9.4. Result(s): A total of 274 caregivers of PWD participated in the study. More than half of caregivers were women (56.57%), and approximately 73% of caregivers were married. The racial composition of the majority of caregivers included African American (44.16%), Non-Hispanic White (26.64%), and Native American (20.44%). Most caregivers were providing care for parents (59.86%) or a partner (21.17%). Nearly 46% of caregivers reported experiencing stress, but not being burnt out. Almost 47% of caregivers reported high psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to caregiving stressors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, caregivers also experienced behavioral changes in their household;more than half of caregivers experienced increased interpersonal conflict with loved ones, friends, or co-workers. The top 3 needs reported during the COVID-19 pandemic included support with caregiving, medical care, and food. Conclusion(s): Approximately half of caregivers of PWD experienced stress and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the stress of caregiving, caregivers lacked support for necessary medical services and social needs. The data collected from caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic will be used to develop recommendations to support informal caregivers during emergency situations. Copyright © 2022 the Alzheimer's Association.
ABSTRACT
Community-based social models of care for seniors promote better outcomes in terms of quality of life, managing chronic illness and life expectancy than institutional care. However, small rural areas in high income countries face an ongoing crisis in coordinating care related to service mix, workforce and access. A scoping review was conducted to examine initiatives that promoted integrated models of multisectoral, collaborative aged care in rural settings which could help respond to this ongoing crisis and improve responses to emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic database search, screening and a two-stage full text review was followed by a case study critical appraisal. A content analysis of extracted data from included papers was undertaken. Integrated care services, activities and facilities were identified that helped guide the review process and data synthesis. The three included case studies all emphasized key principles that crucially underpinned the models related to collaboration, cooperation and innovation. Challenges to effective care included fiscal and structural constraints, with underlying social determinant impacts. Based on these findings, we describe the genesis of a “toolkit” with components of integrated models of care. Effective care requires aging to be addressed as a complex, interconnected social issue rather than solely a health problem. It demands a series of coordinated system-based responses that consider the complex and heterogeneous contexts (and needs) of communities. Such models are underpinned by leadership and political will, working with a wide breadth of stakeholders across family, community and clinical domains in private and public sectors. Copyright © 2022 Vaughan, Carson, Preston, Mude and Holt.
ABSTRACT
Background Children and young people (CYP) are increasingly attending acute paediatric services due to mental health difficulties. 50% of all mental health problems are established by 14 years of age and 75% by 24 years. Underinvestment in mental health has been a longstanding concern, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic through extra stress caused by prolonged school closures, social isolation and a lack of access to usual support services. In 2020, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health highlighted that suicide is now the leading cause of death in England and Wales for children aged 5-19 years, emphasising the need to prioritise and improve mental health. Paediatricians must develop the knowledge and skills to identify, support and make appropriate referrals for common mental health problems. HEEADSSS is a well-known psychosocial screening tool with eight domains, used to identify potential or actual harm. Objectives Establish whether CYP within the West Midlands, UK are receiving adequate psychosocial assessments on hospital admission and whether healthcare professionals are signposting to relevant services. The primary outcome was the percentage of CYP with documented evidence of being offered a HEEADSSS assessment. Methods A regional prospective audit across nine hospitals was performed for three days per week from 4st -31st January 2021. A standardised proforma was used to gather information from medical records of all CYP aged >12 years admitted to paediatric wards. Pooled data were analysed using Microsoft Excel. Results 231 patients were included. The median age was 14 years old (range 12-17 years). 163(71%) were female. 202 (87%) had no known communication difficulties. 53(23%) were known to CAMHS and 43(19%) to social care. 78/231 (34%) were admitted with mental health as the presenting complaint. 35/231(15%) were documented to be given the opportunity to be spoken to alone;29(82%) accepted. No department had a psychosocial screening tool embedded in the admission document. 158/231(69%) had less than half of the eight domains completed. The median was 1.5 (range 0-8). Home and education/ employment were most frequently asked (37-42%). Eating/exercise, drugs, safety, sexual activity and other activities were the least frequently asked (14-27%). The proportion of those with a concern identified when asked ranged from 18%-39%. However, in self-harm, depression and suicide, only 85/231 (37%) were asked, with concern identified in 87%. 78 patients were admitted for mental health;28(39%) had less than half the domains completed (median 5, range 0-8). Drug use 46/78(59%), safety and sexual activity (both 38/78 (49%)) were inconsistently documented in this group, with concerns identified in 20-26% of those asked. 90/231(39%) were referred to CAMHS, social care, counselling, online or other support services. 16/77(21%) patients with a concern documented in at least one domain were not referred onwards. Conclusions This study demonstrates poor implementation of the HEEADSSS tool on admission, across a wide geographical area. Increased utilisation of a psychosocial screening tool would provide more opportunities to CYP to discuss their psychosocial health and receive appropriate support, in line with national guidance standards. Further work is underway addressing barriers to using HEEADSSS, considering electronic or embedded tools and signposting to relevant services.