ABSTRACT
Check dams are useful structures at a catchment scale to determine erosion rates using the sediment retained in their wedges. Several studies employ different complex, accurate methods to estimate them. We likewise evaluate which catchment variables affect these erosion rate values. Our study aims to compare five frequently used methods (two prismatic and three topographic) to evaluate how they estimate total sediment yield (TSY) at two locations in Central Spain. For this purpose, we determine the sediment trapped in each area by 25 check dams built during the twentieth century. We also evaluate the catchment variables influencing TSY rates. Results show differences between methods in TSY determinations at the 90 % confidence level, although there are no differences between locations or the location-method iteration. We found that the natural logarithm of the drainage area was the factor that best explained TSY, presenting a negative trend (partial correlation coefficient, 0.83). Vegetation cover factor had no influence in estimating TSY for the two locations. We conclude that the determination of TSY rates depends on the chosen method and four related variables: check dam length, check dam height, wedge length and check dam drainage area. Furthermore, it is important to analyse and select the best method to estimate erosion rates based on the sediment retained by check dams depending on the characteristics of the study area (channel and sediment wedge shape), method accuracy and field effort. A more accurate estimation of erosion rates will allow researchers to determine the role of check dams in controlling sediment in each specific restoration project.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring/methods , Geologic Sediments/analysis , Soil/chemistry , Spain , Water MovementsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The patient autonomy and the greater role for women with breast cancer in the decisions about their health are recent issues in healthcare. The objective of this work is to identify and characterize the elements that influence them in treatment decisions. METHODS: A phenomenological type qualitative study. Theoretical Sampling included 70 women diagnosed with breast cancer. 45 semi structured interviews and 3 focus groups were performed between October 2009 and July 2010 in 15 regions of Spain. The analysis was based on the principles of grounded theory with the support of Atlas.ti v6.1. RESULTS: Patients are likely to take an active or passive role regarding decision-making depending on different variables such as their age, the information available, their self-assessment as capable agents to make decisions and the relative importance given to physical appearance. As the disease progresses, it can cause a change in women attitude, from an initially passive attitude to a more active role. The attitude of health professionals concerning shared decision-making and the information they offer determines patient participation while the family plays an essential role as a support or reinforcement of decisions made by patients. CONCLUSIONS: The patients' attitude regarding the decision-making of patients is very variable, becoming increasingly important the emotional status, the level of information available and the influence of the context.
Subject(s)
Attitude , Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Decision Making , Patient Participation/psychology , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Female , Focus Groups , Humans , Middle Aged , Qualitative Research , SpainABSTRACT
Objetivo: Analizar las necesidades de información y las estrategias de búsqueda que emprenden personas afectadas de cáncer de mama en el contexto español, así como explorar cómo está influyendo la utilización de Internet, en tanto fuente de información sanitaria, en la promoción de la autonomía y en la gestión activa de la enfermedad. La investigación fue desarrollada durante los años 2010 y 2011. Método: Este trabajo forma parte de una investigación cualitativa más amplia destinada a analizar la experiencia de pacientes con cáncer de mama sobre la trayectoria de su enfermedad, con el propósito de crear una plataforma de recursos informativos integrados para pacientes, familiares y profesionales sanitarios (PyDEsalud: http://www.pydesalud.com). Se ha desarrollado un estudio cualitativo basado en 41 entrevistas en profundidad con un guión semiestructurado a personas con cáncer de mama, en diferentes estadios, de 32 a 69 años de edad, seleccionadas mediante muestreo teórico intencionado, en 15 comunidades autónomas españolas. El trabajo de campo se realizó entre junio y agosto de 2010. Las entrevistas se grabaron en formato audiovisual y se realizó un análisis temático inductivo a partir de la narración de la enfermedad. Resultados: Los hallazgos muestran la relevancia del uso de Internet en la búsqueda de información sanitaria y como herramienta que puede favorecer el empoderamiento de los pacientes y mejorar la gestión de su enfermedad. Conclusiones: Se evidencia la necesidad de los usuarios de acceder a sitios web que contengan información sanitaria de calidad, adaptados a sus necesidades y demandas (AU)
Objective: To analyze information needs and search strategies among women with breast cancer in Spain. An additional aim was to explore how the internet, as a source of health information, influences the autonomy and active management of this disease among patients. The research was conducted in 2010 and 2011. Method: This study forms part of a broader qualitative study that focuses on describing patients' experiences of breast cancer and the trajectory of the disease, with the aim of creating a platform of integrated information resources for patients, relatives and healthcare professionals (PyDEsalud: http://www.pydesalud.com). We carried out 41 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with breast cancer patients in different stage of the disease, who were aged between 32 and 69 years. The interviewees' were selected by intentional sampling, which included 15 Spanish regions. The field work was carried out from June to August, 2010. The interviews were recorded on videotape or audio. Based on patients' narratives of their disease, a thematic-inductive analysis was performed of the information gathered. Results: The findings show the importance of the internet as a source of health information. Moreover, the internet is a resource that is able to promote the empowerment process among patients and, consequently, to aid improvement in disease management. Conclusions: Users need access to web sites with high quality health information, adapted to their needs and objectives (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Consumer Health Information , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Internet , Needs AssessmentABSTRACT
Fundamentos: La mayor autonomía y el protagonismo de las mujeres con cáncer de mama en las decisiones sobre su salud son aspectos recientes en su asistencia sanitaria. El objetivo del trabajo es identificar y caracterizar los elementos que influyen en la toma de decisiones terapéuticas de las mujeres. Métodos: Metodología cualitativa de tipo fenomenológico. Muestreo teórico intencionado que incluyó a 70 mujeres diagnosticadas de cáncer de mama. Se realizaron 45 entrevistas y 3 grupos focales entre octubre de 2009 y julio de 2010 en 15 Comunidades Autónomas españolas. Análisis basado en los principios de la grounded theory con el apoyo del programa Atlas.ti v6.1. Resultados: Las pacientes se muestran proclives a tomar un papel activo o pasivo en la toma de decisiones dependiendo de la edad, la información disponible, su autovaloración como agente capaz de decidir y la importancia relativa al aspecto estético.Amedida que avanza la enfermedad se puede producir un cambio en la posición de las mujeres, desde una postura inicial pasiva a una posición más activa. La actitud de los profesionales sanitarios frente a la toma de decisiones compartida y la información que ofrecen influye en la participación de las pacientes mientras que la familia juega un papel fundamental como apoyo o refuerzo en sus decisiones. Conclusiones: La postura ante la toma de decisiones de las mujeres con cáncer de mama es muy variable, cobrando especial importancia la situación emocional, nivel de información disponible y la influencia del entorno(AU)
Background: The patient autonomy and the greater role for women with breast cancer in the decisions about their health are recent issues in healthcare. The objective of this work is to identify and characterize the elements that influence them in treatment decisions. Methods: A phenomenological type qualitative study. Theoretical Sampling included 70 women diagnosed with breast cancer. 45 semi structured interviews and 3 focus groups were performed between October 2009 and July 2010 in 15 regions of Spain. The analysis was based on the principles of grounded theory with the support ofAtlas.ti v6.1. Results: Patients are likely to take an active or passive role regarding decision-making depending on different variables such as their age, the information available, their self-assessment as capable agents to make decisions and the relative importance given to physical appearance. As the disease progresses, it can cause a change in women attitude, from an initially passive attitude to a more active role. The attitude of health professionals concerning shared decision-making and the information they offer determines patient participation while the family plays an essential role as a support or reinforcement of decisions made by patients. Conclusions: The patients attitude regarding the decision-making of patients is very variable, becoming increasingly important the emotional status, the level of information available and the influence of the context(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Decision Making/physiology , Patient Participation/psychology , Patient Participation/trends , 25783/methods , 25783/prevention & control , 25783/statistics & numerical data , Physician's Role/psychology , Role , Sick Role/physiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze information needs and search strategies among women with breast cancer in Spain. An additional aim was to explore how the internet, as a source of health information, influences the autonomy and active management of this disease among patients. The research was conducted in 2010 and 2011. METHOD: This study forms part of a broader qualitative study that focuses on describing patients' experiences of breast cancer and the trajectory of the disease, with the aim of creating a platform of integrated information resources for patients, relatives and healthcare professionals (PyDEsalud: http://www.pydesalud.com). We carried out 41 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with breast cancer patients in different stage of the disease, who were aged between 32 and 69 years. The interviewees' were selected by intentional sampling, which included 15 Spanish regions. The field work was carried out from June to August, 2010. The interviews were recorded on videotape or audio. Based on patients' narratives of their disease, a thematic-inductive analysis was performed of the information gathered. RESULTS: The findings show the importance of the internet as a source of health information. Moreover, the internet is a resource that is able to promote the empowerment process among patients and, consequently, to aid improvement in disease management. CONCLUSIONS: Users need access to web sites with high quality health information, adapted to their needs and objectives.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Information Seeking Behavior , Internet/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Aged , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Combined Modality Therapy , Consumer Health Information , Educational Status , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Power, Psychological , Qualitative Research , SpainABSTRACT
Despite the seemingly evident pertinence of palliative care for patients suffering from non-oncological long-term life-threatening diseases, everyday clinical practice is far from that assumption. This study aims to explore palliative care service provision for these patients in Spain. Patients, family caregivers and healthcare professionals were interviewed, individually or in a group, aiming at identifying barriers in the provision of care and strategies to overcome them. Ritchie and Spencer's framework was used for data analysis. The barriers identified were as follows: lack of clarity about prognosis, the hegemony of the curative approach, avoiding words and the desire to cheat death. Provision of palliative care services for these patients should be guided by the characteristic trajectory of each type of disease. Even if healthcare systems were capable of providing specialized palliative care services to this large group of patients, other barriers should not be overlooked. It would then seem appropriate to provide therapeutic and palliative care simultaneously, thus facilitating adaptation processes for both patients and relatives.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration , Palliative Care/organization & administration , Terminal Care/organization & administration , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Attitude to Health , Caregivers/psychology , Female , Health Services Research/methods , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Middle Aged , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Prognosis , SpainABSTRACT
Objetivo: Identificar los principales beneficios y riesgos en el proceso de implantación de los programas de telemedicina en España, a partir de la experiencia de los profesionales que influyen en la toma de decisiones. Participantes y métodos: Estudio cualitativo basado en entrevistas semiestructuradas grabadas telefónicamente, con análisis temático inductivo. Se realizaron 11 entrevistas que incluyeron la perspectiva de 4 facultativos, 3 gestores, 2 investigadores y 2 responsables de producto de la industria de telecomunicaciones. Se llevó a cabo un muestreo teórico. Resultados: Se identificaron una serie de factores necesarios para alcanzar con éxito la resolución del problema mediante un programa de telemedicina: el compromiso de las personas involucradas, los aspectos tecnológicos, el apoyo económico e institucional, la aceptación por parte de clínicos y pacientes, la existencia de protocolos que se adapten al contexto, la necesidad de informarse y formarse previamente, la visión de futuro e innovación, la normalización del programa en el sistema organizativo, y la necesidad de mantener el principio de equidad con relación a clínicos y usuarios. Conclusiones: Para que un programa de telemedicina tenga éxito es necesario desarrollarlo en un contexto favorecedor, en el cual se puedan prever los riesgos. El factor humano se revela como la clave principal. Los factores identificados en este estudio cualitativo deberían considerarse a la hora de elaborar estrategias que permitan incrementar las posibilidades de éxito en la implantación de futuros programas de telemedicina en nuestro medio (AU)
Objective: To identify the main benefits and risks related to the implementation of telemedicine programs in Spain, based on the experience of the actors influencing the decision-making process. Participants and methods: We performed a qualitative study based on audiotaped semi-structured telephone interviews. Eleven interviews were carried out, and the perspective of four physicians, three administrators, two researchers and two telecommunications industry workers were included. Theoretical sampling was used and thematic inductive analysis was performed. Results: The following factors were identified as necessary to successfully resolve problems by using telemedicine programs: the commitment of the persons involved, technological aspects, economic and institutional support, acceptance by healthcare professionals and patients, the existence of protocols adjusted to the context, the need for information and training prior to the development of telemedicine programs, a forward-looking approach, routine use and full acceptance of telemedicine programs in the organization, and the need to defend equity for professionals and users. Conclusions: Successfully developing a telemedicine program requires a favorable environment in which risk can be foreseen. The main key element seems to be the human factor. The factors identified in this study should be considered when developing strategies to increase the chances of success of telemedicine programs in Spain (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Telemedicine/organization & administration , Health Centers , 50207 , Health Services Needs and Demand/trendsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To identify the main benefits and risks related to the implementation of telemedicine programs in Spain, based on the experience of the actors influencing the decision-making process. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: We performed a qualitative study based on audiotaped semi-structured telephone interviews. Eleven interviews were carried out, and the perspective of four physicians, three administrators, two researchers and two telecommunications industry workers were included. Theoretical sampling was used and thematic inductive analysis was performed. RESULTS: The following factors were identified as necessary to successfully resolve problems by using telemedicine programs: the commitment of the persons involved, technological aspects, economic and institutional support, acceptance by healthcare professionals and patients, the existence of protocols adjusted to the context, the need for information and training prior to the development of telemedicine programs, a forward-looking approach, routine use and full acceptance of telemedicine programs in the organization, and the need to defend equity for professionals and users. CONCLUSIONS: Successfully developing a telemedicine program requires a favorable environment in which risk can be foreseen. The main key element seems to be the human factor. The factors identified in this study should be considered when developing strategies to increase the chances of success of telemedicine programs in Spain.
