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The need for effective fundraising in the arts has never been more acute. Specialist yet accessible, Fundraising in the Creative and Cultural Industries is designed to provide strategic and practical support to individuals needing to lead or develop fundraising in their organisations. Part One explores theories of leadership and change, as well as managing fundraising in a crisis, most notably the impact of COVID-19 on cultural organisations globally. It introduces readers to specific academic frameworks and concepts from arts management, business and entrepreneurship studies – which readers can use to analyse their own situations – and provides insight via real-world case studies. Part Two explores the practical application of fundraising. Readers can begin their journey to becoming a fundraising expert, starting from the basics of fundraising to a broad understanding of the different means and channels through which income can be raised for arts and cultural organisations. This book is a practical and accessible guide to exploring current fundraising thinking, enabling the reader to develop their own fundraising expertise and to embed knowledge and practice into their own organisations. The fundraising experience from industry pioneers sets this book apart and will inspire readers to achieve their own ambitious goals. © 2023 Michelle Wright, Ben Walmsley and Emilee Simmons. All rights reserved.
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Objectives: Insulin optimisation requires review of glucose monitoring;Covid-19 posed challenges to this. We evaluated DBm -a remote monitoring platform utilising a glucometer and smartphone app. Method(s): Evaluation was from January to November 2021. Inclusion criteria was insulin treated diabetes with HbA1c greater than 68mmol/mol. HbA1c, demographics, frequency of CBG uploads and interactions with clinicians were collected. Result(s): 97 patients were offered DBm. 48.5% used the app. There were no statistically significant differences in gender (p = 0.05), age (p = 0.36), type of diabetes (p = 0.13) or deprivation index (p = 0.96) between users and non-users. Patients of white ethnicity were less likely to use the platform (p = 0.01). Amongst users, 70% had a reduction of HbA1c of at least 5mmol/mol over six months, with a mean reduction of 25.6mmol/mol (p = 0.01). There was no difference in age (p = 0.64), gender (p = 0.4), and type of diabetes (p = 0.23) between responders and non-responders. There was also no difference in number of call back requests generated by patients (p = 0.32) or number of CBG uploads (p = 0.899) between responders and non-responders. Conclusion(s): Uptake of the remote monitoring solution was just under 50%, with no evidence of digital exclusion, although the finding that white ethnicity patients were less likely to use the system needs further exploration. Most users had improved glucose control, but there was no association with numbers of tests or call back requests. This study demonstrates that insulin optimisation can effectively be delivered using a remote glucose monitoring system. Future work will explore patient experience and patient satisfaction.
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Introduction: As part of the last two peer review processes the East of England Critical Care Network have undertaken SAQ [1] involving staff in the 18 hospitals in the region. The questionnaire is divided into 7 scales and allows a wide assessment of safety culture which has been associated with improved outcomes and reduced adverse incidents [2]. The two surveys straddle the Covid-19 pandemic which has had a recognised impact on staff welfare. We postulated that this is likely to be identifiable within the survey and wished to understand the effect on different staff groups and levels of experience. Method(s): The survey was distributed using an online platform and analysed in R. Result(s): 1647 questionnaires were completed in 2019 (753) and 2022 (894). Demographic data was collected for role (nursing, medical, AHP, support) and critical care experience (short: < 4 years medium: 4-10 years, long: > 10 years). For all staff Climate scores fell significantly in all scales except stress recognition, most noticeably in job satisfaction and working conditions. This was also the case within the nursing subgroup;however, it was not seen in medical staff (though there was a less pronounced trend). AHPs reported a marked reduction in job satisfaction. Support staff also demonstrated big reductions in all scales including teamworking and safety climate. The fall in job satisfaction and working condition scales were also most profound in staff with 4-10 year's critical care experience. Conclusion(s): The pressures of the pandemic have had a lasting effect on most staff groups, particularly in job satisfaction and working conditions. This appears to have particularly impacted nursing and support staff. Those of moderate experience may have been the staff most directly involved with increased patient care and expectations to undertake managerial roles with reduced training. The impact of this appears to be ongoing despite efforts to support staff well-being.
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In the abstract for "Editorial Reflection on Caring, Truth, Bias, Evidence, and Media Literacy During Current Events,” the editorial focuses on the current state of divided truth in issues facing today's global citizens, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, historical bias, implicit bias, gender identity, and disparity. Recognizing of the challenges faced in addressing truth, bias, and the influence of media literacy raises questions for caring scholars to contemplate advancing of caring science. © 2023 International Association for Human Caring.
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The 2020 Covid pivot highlighted the need for cost-free, online learning tools. We present an approach which enables learners to master process analysis material in and outside the classroom using an LMS-generated learning feedback approach. We present the approach with its implementation procedures, benefits, and limitations. This approach is used in an undergraduate operations management class and evidence of the approach's effectiveness is presented using standardized data points from four instructors across several sections of the operations management class. Additional advantages to this approach include efficiency in building and grading assessments, and collaborative assessment, while no additional monetary or learning cost of a new system is required. Continuous improvement of the approach could be extended to all course content and other courses, and even into crowdsourcing content and assessment tools via Learning Management Systems. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd
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Background Previous findings suggest that depressive and anxiety-related symptoms have doubled among students since the beginning of the pandemic. Digital health literacy can act as a protective resource to strengthen well-being. Objectives This paper analyzes the relationship between digital health literacy, socioeconomic status and well-being and future-anxiety among students in Austria. Methods 480 students from Austrian higher education institutions were surveyed via online questionnaire during the second wave of the Corona pandemic. Sociodemographic data, students’ self-assessments of well-being, fears regarding future development and perspectives, and digital health literacy were collected. Variance and regression analyses were used for the evaluation. Results About 50% of the students reported low scores in well-being and distinct fears about the future. A higher socioeconomic status correlated with higher well-being as well as lower fears about the future.Regarding digital health literacy, the ability to assess the relevance of information showed the highest correlation with well-being. Conclusions Individual factors such as gender or the study-program are relevant for the interaction between well-being and digital health literacy. The assessment of the relevance of information and its connection with one's own life reality seems to be important factors in promoting well-being.
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Background: Primary care practices faced many challenges responding to the COVID-19 pandemic including a downturn in patient attendances, the rapid adoption of telehealth and increased bulkbilling requirements. Aim(s): The aim of this research was to understand impacts of COVID-19 and public health response on practice financial viability. Method(s): An online survey of Australian general practices and community allied health practice (AHP) staff operating prior and during the pandemic was administered in April 2021. The survey explored adaptations and impacts on practice finances during early lockdown (March 2020) and a year into the pandemic (March 2021). Respondents were recruited through primary health networks, peak bodies and social media. Survey data were analysed using Stata 16. Finding(s): 72% (n=213) of valid responses were from general practices, including general practitioners (GPs) (n=142), practice managers (n=49) and practice nurses (n=19). 28% (n=84) of responses were from AHPs (most commonly psychologists n=22, chiropractors n=19). During early lockdown most respondents reported reductions in patient numbers (66%) and income (72%). One year into the pandemic most practices reported patient numbers had increased as had practice costs. 46% of respondents reported decreased practice profitability one year after pandemic onset. Reduced profitability was more commonly reported by GP respondents (56%) than AHPs providing mental health services (24%) or physical health services (31%). Implications: Many primary care practices continue to suffer negative financial impacts one year after the pandemic onset. This has potential to decrease practice viability, affecting the sustainability of the primary care workforce, access to services and current models of primary care.
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Background: The pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on people who are living in socially disadvantaged situations. People experiencing homelessness are less able to isolate and follow public health messaging to reduce the risk of infection. In addition, due to the higher prevalence of chronic disease, they have a poorer prognosis with infection with higher rates of mortality and hospitalisation. In the early pandemic, many countries implemented programs that were exclusively focused on the care of people experiencing homelessness. Aim/Objectives: Our aim was to describe programs that have been implemented to reduce COVID-19 transmission and severity of illness in homeless populations and to understand the involvement of primary care. Method(s): We performed a rapid review of the international literature documenting COVID-19 related programs for people experiencing homelessness. We searched PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL plus Google using search term combinations of homeless persons and COVID-19. All articles were screened by two independent reviewers and one person extracted the items of interest. Finding(s): After screening 615 studies we included 42 studies and most were from the USA (n = 26). Programs commonly focused on isolation centres for people experiencing homelessness who tested positive for COVID-19 (n = 15). Sixteen studies included an evaluation of program effectiveness and two investigated the perspective of program participants. Universal screening was more effective than symptomatic screening in reducing COVID-19 transmission in homeless shelter settings. Comprehensive healthcare, including mental health and addiction support, was essential for people to be able to tolerate isolation, but care continuity post-isolation was problematic with limited primary care involvement. Implications: Few COVID-19 programs for people experiencing homelessness involve the primary care sector. As continuity of care post-program was a common problem, primary care may have a role in cross-sector collaboration.
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Background: New South Wales (NSW) experienced a significant outbreak of COVID-19 which sent greater Sydney into a 115-day lockdown from June to October 2021. System-wide changes were required as inpatient mental health (MH) units managed outbreaks and new infection control measures were introduced more broadly. The MH impacts of the lockdown itself were also highly publicised with reference to the looming 'shadow pandemic'. Objectives: To discuss the NSW MH response to the COVID-19 pandemic from multiple perspectives and describe the ways in which MH services re-oriented to meet the needs of the population. Explore the lessons learnt and consider the NSW experience within the national and global context. Methods: A team of clinicians who worked together during the peak of the pandemic provide firsthand accounts and discuss case studies from the outbreak. International literature related to the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is reviewed. Findings: The health system response during the pandemic required creativity, agility and teamwork. The impacts were not uniform, and responses needed to be tailored to the local context. Some disparities can be understood in terms of pre-existing social vulnerabilities. Advocating for the MH patient population was a cornerstone of the response. Conclusion: The challenges faced during the outbreak provided enormous opportunity to think creatively about the care of people with mental illness. These insights can be taken forward beyond the pandemic. We continue to learn lessons as COVID-19 transitions from pandemic to endemic status.
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Background: The novel COVID-19 pandemic afforded public health leaders an opportunity to expedite vaccine development and dissemination. The United States found itself faced with the arduous task of ensuring swift and equitable distribution of limited resources, in the midst of often-competing priorities, including public health ethics, medical ethics, economic demands, and societal strains. Methodology: Using the American Public Health Association's (APHA) newly revised public health code of ethics, which provides a decision-making framework and guidance for ethical analysis, we analyzed how Pennsylvania's COVID-19 vaccine dissemination plan aligned with the four core functions of public health ethics inquiry. Results/Discussion: Upon investigation, the state's plan evidenced use of public health ethics in goal setting and design. However, the core public health value given the highest priority, promoting health and safety, competed with the other core public health values of inclusivity and engagement, health justice and equity, and professionalism and trust. Despite known social disparities and risk factors, the state plan for COVID-19 vaccine dissemination aligned closely with federal guidance and prioritized all healthcare personnel and long-term care facility populations over high-risk individuals residing in the community. Conclusion/Perspectives: Should another pandemic necessitate allocation of scarce resources, especially preventative measures such as vaccines, decision-making agencies must consider disparate populations in planning and dissemination of material to the public. Any anticipated limitations in the ability to fulfill public health ethical principles should be clearly communicated to the public prior to implementation, thereby increasing trust.
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Background Previous findings suggest that depressive and anxiety-related symptoms have doubled among students since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Digital health literacy can act as a protective resource to strengthen well-being. Objectives This paper analyzes the relationship between digital health literacy, socioeconomic status, well-being and future-anxiety among students in Austria. Methods A total of 480 students from Austrian higher education institutions were surveyed via online questionnaire during the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Sociodemographic data, students' self-assessments of well-being, fears about the future, and digital health literacy were collected. Variance and regression analyses were used for the evaluation. Results About 50% of the students reported low well-being and distinct fears about the future. Regarding digital health literacy, the ability to assess the relevance of information showed the highest correlation with well-being. A higher socioeconomic status correlated with higher well-being as well as lower fears about the future. Conclusions The assessment of the relevance of information and connecting it with one's own life reality seems to be an important factor in promoting well-being. Individual factors such as gender or the study program are relevant for the relationship between well-being and digital health literacy.
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The ICH E9(R1) addendum on Estimands and Sensitivity Analyses in Clinical Trials has introduced a new estimand framework for the design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation of clinical trials. We share Pharmaceutical Industry experiences of implementing the estimand framework in the first two years since the final guidance became available with key lessons learned and highlight what else needs to be done to continue the journey in embedding the estimand framework in clinical trials. Emerging best practices and points to consider on strategies for implementing a new estimand thinking process are provided. Whilst much of the focus of implementing ICH E9(R1) to date has been on defining estimands, we highlight some of the important aspects relating to the choice of statistical analysis methods and sensitivity analyses to ensure estimands can be estimated robustly with minimal bias. In particular, we discuss the implications if complete follow-up is not possible when the treatment policy strategy is being used to handle intercurrent events. ICH E9(R1) was introduced just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but a positive outcome from the pandemic has been an acceleration in the adoption of the estimand framework, including differentiating intercurrent events related or not related to the pandemic. In summary, much has been learned on the estimand journey and continued sharing of case studies will help to further advance the understanding and increase awareness across all clinical researchers of the estimand framework.
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COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Medicine , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Humans , Pandemics , Research DesignABSTRACT
Background: Outpatient pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care shifted rapidly from in-person to telemedicine as a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Telemedicine is touted as a way to increase access to care, but its effects on delivery of and access to outpatient pediatric IBD are are unknown. Methods: Data from in-person ambulatory office visits and telemedicine encounters for IBD care at a single pediatric center between April 2019 and December 2020 for patients with IBD were retrospectively extracted. Patient-level data included age, diagnosis, race/ethnicity, medications, and home ZIP code;encounter-level data included visit type, duration, and orders placed. Outcomes of interest were compared between in-person and telemedicine visits, and across 4 study periods: April-June of 2019 and 2020, and October-December of 2019 and 2020. Results: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, outpatient IBD care converted completely to telemedicine, allowing clinical encounter volume to remain at a level equal to that of the prior year: 491 encounters April-June 2019, 504 encounters April-June 2020. Over time, the proportion of visits shifted, with approximately 60% of encounters occurring via telemedicine and 40% occurring in-person by October-December 2020. In-person visits had a significantly higher no-show rate compared to telemedicine early in the COVID-19 pandemic (38% vs. 14%, p<0.01) but this trend was reversed by October-December 2020, with in-person visits having a lower no-show rate than telemedicine (16% vs. 24%, p<0.05). During both study periods in 2020, the average amount of time patients spent with their provider was not significantly different for in-person and telemedicine encounters. However, the average overall appointment time, from check-in to check-out, was significantly shorter with telemedicine (Figure 1, p<0.05 for each study period). From October-December 2020, laboratory tests, imaging, and endoscopies were ordered at similar frequencies irrespective of visit type: 59, 7, and 9% of in-person visits versus 64, 2, and 5% of telemedicine visits. There were no significant differences in frequency of clinical encounters over the study periods by patient age, race, ethnicity, gender, primary language, payor, or Child Opportunity Index, a census tract-level measure of childhood development resources and conditions (https://www.diversitydatakids.org/child-opportunity-index). When stratifying by visit type, there were no significant differences in the ratio of in-person to telemedicine visits by race (white vs. youth of color), primary payor (public vs. private), or patient age group. However, patients whose primarly language was not English were more likely to be seen in-person (15%) vs. via telemedicine (85%) between April and June 2020 when compared to patients whose preferred language was English (proportion of in-person visits during the same study period 4%;p<0.05). Conclusions: The conversion to telemedicine allowed for continued delivery of outpatient pediatric IBD care and maintained face to face time with the provider while significantly decreasing total appointment duration. While telemedicine did not appear to introduce disparities in care by many socioeconomic factors, future work is necessary to understand the impact of primary patient language on access to care, patient and parent satisfaction and long-term outcomes associated with telemedicine, and the types of visits that are most appropriate for in-person visits versus telemedicine in a post-pandemic world.
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Background and Objective(s): The need for family-centered measures that reflect children's abilities in their natural environments has come to forefront, accentuated by the recent shift to remote assessment necessitated by the COVID pandemic. This study describes the first steps in the validation of a new instrument, the Gross Motor Function Parent Report (GMF-PR), a parent-completed, modified 30-item version of the Gross Motor Function Measure to report gross motor function of children and youth with cerebral palsy in their home and community environments. Study Design: Measurement Study. Study Participants & Setting: Assessment records of 50 children and adolescents with CP, aged 1 year to 19 years, were used for this analysis. Gross motor abilities were classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Materials/Methods: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora. Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) scores were accessed from an existing data bank. GMF-PR scores were determined using related items in the GMFM assessments. Correlation coefficients were calculated using: (1) GMFM-66 and GMF-PR scores and, (2) GMF-PR scores and GMFCS levels. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to estimate inter-measure score agreement. Discriminative validity was evaluate using a one-way ANOVA and Tukey's pairwise comparisons to compare scores between the GMFCS levels (alpha=0.05). Results: Data were available from 50 children and adolescents (8.0 ± 4.2y), equally divided between levels I-V of the GMFCS. Pearson correlation showed a positive and strong association between GMFM-66 and GMF-PR scores (r=0.97, p<0.001). Spearman-rho showed an inverse and strong association between GMF-PR and GMFCS (rho=-0.91, p<0.001). There was excellent agreement between GMFM-66 and GMF-PR scores (ICC=0.93;0.88≥CI95%≥0.96). Lastly, analysis of variance showed a significant difference of GMF-PR scores among levels of GMFCS (p<0.001), demonstrating discriminative validity. Conclusions/Significance: These preliminary results on the validation of the GMF-PR show promising evidence for future use of this new measure. Work is underway to further explore discriminant validity of the measure. With continued evidence from the validation process, this instrument may be a useful tool for the evaluation of the motor functioning of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy in different contexts.
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Purpose In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aims to explore how working remotely might impact the superior-subordinate relationship. Specifically, this study examines how immediacy explains articulated dissent, considers how an individual's attitudes toward online communication predicts immediacy and articulated dissent and compares these relationships in England, Australia and the USA. Design/methodology/approach Three nations were examined: Australia, England and the USA (n = 1,776). Surveys included demographic questions and the following measures: organizational dissent scale, perceived immediacy measure, computer-mediated immediate behaviors measure and measure of online communication attitude. Findings The results reveal supervisors' computer-mediated immediate behaviors and perceived immediacy both positively predict dissent. Some aspects of online communication attitudes positively predict computer-mediated immediate behaviors and perceived immediacy. In addition, attitudes toward online communication positively predict dissent. National culture influences some of these relationships;in each case the effects were substantively larger for the USA when compared to the other nations. Originality/value This study is the first to cross-culturally analyze dissent and immediacy. In addition, this study considers the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic influences the superior-subordinate relationship.
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Robotics is often referred to as an enabler towards safer and more cost-effective operations within the energy industry. However, for robots to achieve their full potential they too require their own enablers. This paper intends to present a collection of lessons learnt in robotic development to date that has resulted in the necessity to develop an encompassing digital architecture. This architecture, with an artificial intelligence component, has been designed to optimise both robot and digital twin capability, where the complete system is always working with the latest information available that reflects the ground truth. The architecture concept will be explained including why integration and standardisation are of paramount importance. The paper will also demonstrate how business value can be generated before fully explainable, transparent, verifiable autonomy is available for robotics to be deployed on future unmanned platforms that have been designed to optimise robot operation opposed to existing human engineered environments. All these topics are important within their own right, but all are also years away from adoption on an industrial scale. To ensure continued engagement until such a point is reached, the industry needs to focus more on the quick wins and immediate value that can be gained from robotics. The impact of COVID-19 has shown how quickly and effectively the energy industry has been able to transition to remote working. This represents a massive opportunity to prove what robotics can deliver via remote operation, minimizing vendors where possible. The concept of "full" autonomy will be discussed with respect to value generation and barrier to entry or adoption within the energy industry. The paper will address all practical considerations that have required attention to date plus explain the next programme of work in the evolving RAS (robotics and autonomous systems) digital architecture whilst ensuring complete integration with the data pipelines that have already been built. © 2021, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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Background: The Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted cancer screening for reasons including healthcare resource preservation, infection control efforts, and patient factors. There is limited literature quantifying this interruption of care, particularly in vulnerable and racial/ethnic minorities. Methods: We compared the volume of cancer screening at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System before and during the COVID-19 pandemic using data obtained from the electronic medical record. Modalities included mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI for breast;Pap test for cervical;colonoscopy, CT colonography, and flexible sigmoidoscopy for colorectal;low-dose CT for lung;and prostate-specific antigen test for prostate. Of note, screening and diagnostic tests could not be distinguished for colorectal cancer. We examined percent changes in cancer screening counts for each month from February 2020-August 2020, using January 2020 as a reference. Results were stratified by gender, race, and ethnicity. Results: Screening volume declined rapidly after January 2020, with the nadir for each cancer site occurring in April 2020: breast (n = 0, -100%), cervical (n = 169, -84%), colorectal (n = 35, -89%), lung (n = 0, -100%), and prostate (n = 108, -72%). Values recovered by August 2020 for most cancer sites except cervical cancer, which remained decreased (-23%). There were no differences in screening trends by gender. With respect to race, breast screening volume in Black patients decreased earlier and exhibited slower recovery compared to White patients. White patients had poorer cervical screening recovery than Black patients by August 2020 (-60% vs. -23%). Hispanics had poorer recovery of breast screening compared to non-Hispanics by August 2020 (-23% vs. 6%). Conclusions: We observed widely decreased cancer screening attributable to COVID-19. Breast cancer screening data specifically showed persistent disparities affecting Black and Hispanic patients. Despite the reassuring recovery of multiple screening methods by August 2020, an increase above baseline is needed to compensate for initial declines. Further studies will likely reveal long-term consequences of this unprecedented situation.