ABSTRACT
We analyze the spread of an infectious disease in a population when individuals strategically choose how much time to interact with others. Individuals are either of the severe type or of the asymptomatic type. Only severe types have symptoms when they are infected, and the asymptomatic types can be contagious without knowing it. In the absence of any symptoms, individuals do not know their type and continuously tradeoff the costs and benefits of self-isolation on the basis of their belief of being the severe type. We show that all equilibria of the game involve social interaction, and we characterize the unique equilibrium in which individuals partially self-isolate at each date. We calibrate our model to the COVID-19 pandemic and simulate the dynamics of the epidemic to illustrate the impact of some public policies.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To clarify the definition of vignette-based methodology in qualitative research and to identify key elements underpinning its development and utilisation in qualitative empirical studies involving healthcare professionals. DESIGN: Scoping review according to the Joanna Briggs Institute framework and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases: Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and SocINDEX (January 2000-December 2020). ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Empirical studies in English or French with a qualitative design including an explicit methodological description of the development and/or use of vignettes to collect qualitative data from healthcare professionals. Titles and abstracts were screened, and full text was reviewed by pairs of researchers according to inclusion/exclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data extraction included study characteristics, definition, development and utilisation of a vignette, as well as strengths, limitations and recommendations from authors of the included articles. Systematic qualitative thematic analysis was performed, followed by data matrices to display the findings according to the scoping review questions. RESULTS: Ten articles were included. An explicit definition of vignettes was provided in only half the studies. Variations of the development process (steps, expert consultation and pretesting), data collection and analysis demonstrate opportunities for improvement in rigour and transparency of the whole research process. Most studies failed to address quality criteria of the wider qualitative design and to discuss study limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Vignette-based studies in qualitative research appear promising to deepen our understanding of sensitive and challenging situations lived by healthcare professionals. However, vignettes require conceptual clarification and robust methodological guidance so that researchers can systematically plan their study. Focusing on quality criteria of qualitative design can produce stronger evidence around measures that may help healthcare professionals reflect on and learn to cope with adversity.
Subject(s)
Health Personnel , Text Messaging , Data Accuracy , Delivery of Health Care , Humans , Qualitative ResearchABSTRACT
AIM: This study aims to examine, through the lens of the Job Demands-Resources model, the influence of caring for COVID-19 patients on nurse's perception of chronic fatigue, quality of care, satisfaction at work and intention to leave their organisation and the profession. BACKGROUND: Studies have examined how fear of COVID-19 contributes to the mental, physical and work adjustment among nurses. To date, few studies have been conducted examining how caring for patients with COVID-19 contributes to work outcomes among nurses. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey involving 1705 frontline nurses and licensed practical nurses in Quebec, Canada. From these, 782 reported caring for COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: High chronic fatigue, poor quality of care, lower work satisfaction and higher intention to leave their organisation were found for nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. Poorly prepared and overwhelmed nurses showed higher turnover intention than those well prepared and in control. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need to provide support to nurses during the pandemic, with a long-term strategy to increase their retention. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nurse administrators play an important role in supporting their nurses during a pandemic in the form of education, training and policy development to positively impact quality of care and retention.