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1.
Ambio ; 52(10): 1543-1557, 2023 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37286919

ABSTRACT

Locally led adaptation (LLA) has recently gained importance against top-down planning practices that often exclude the lived realities and priorities of local communities and create injustices at the local level. The promise of LLA is that adaptation would be defined, prioritised, designed, monitored, and evaluated by local communities themselves, enabling a shift in power to local stakeholders, resulting in more effective adaptation interventions. Critical reflections on the intersections of power and justice in LLA are, however, lacking. This article offers a nuanced understanding of the power and justice considerations required to make LLA useful for local communities and institutions, and to resolve the tensions between LLA and other development priorities. It also contributes to a further refinement of LLA methodologies and practices to better realise its promises. Ultimately, we argue that the utility of the LLA framing in promoting climate justice and empowering local actors needs to be tested empirically.


Subject(s)
Climate Change , Climate , Humans
2.
Ir J Med Sci ; 192(3): 1265-1270, 2023 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36053388

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Perinatal mortality multi-disciplinary team meetings (PM-MDTMs) offer a forum for multi-disciplinary discussion of poor perinatal outcomes. They ensure a thorough understanding of individual cases and present an important learning opportunity for healthcare professionals (HCPs). Attendance at PM-MDTMs in this tertiary maternity hospital has been low. AIMS: We aimed to identify barriers which may be targeted to improve attendance and engagement. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was developed, and all HCPs invited to participate. Demographic data on respondents was collected, as was knowledge of PM-MDTMs, their purpose and relevance to clinical practice, and barriers to attendance at meetings. A total of 78 responses were obtained and analysed. RESULTS: Self-reported understanding of the purpose and format PM-MDTMs was high (84.6% (66/78) and 65.4% (51/78), respectively), while only 50% (39/78) of respondents provided an accurate description of either. Only 50% (39/78) reported having attended a meeting in the hospital, of whom 61.5% (24/39) described the correct meeting. Of these, 37.5% (9/24) reported attending regularly and 70.8% (17/24) found the meeting relevant to their clinical practice. Of the 33.33% (26/78) who reported attending a PM-MDTM in another hospital, 73.1% (19/26) accurately described the meeting, 63.1% (12/19) of these attended regularly, and 100% (19/19) found it relevant. Three main qualitative themes emerged as barriers to attendance and were areas for suggested improvements: workload and staffing levels, meeting logistics, and lack of communication and education regarding PM-MDTMs. CONCLUSIONS: Communication regarding PM-MDTMs and their learning opportunities needs to improve. Lack of engagement is likely compounded by high workloads and staffing levels, but these issues should be surmountable.


Subject(s)
Perinatal Mortality , Physician Engagement , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Health Personnel , Hospitals, Maternity/organization & administration , Physician Engagement/organization & administration , Tertiary Care Centers/organization & administration , Workload , Infant, Newborn
3.
PLoS One ; 17(11): e0277496, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36395201

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Obstetricians describe feeling shocked and isolated following stillbirth. Few receive adequate training in how to care for bereaved parents or themselves. We developed a novel workshop for trainee obstetricians using applied drama techniques-in collaboration with the National Theatre of Ireland, the national training body for obstetricians and gynaecologists, and patient support groups-to teach obstetricians skills in communication and self-care around the time of stillbirth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five workshops, delivered January-May 2018, are the focus of this evaluation. Senior trainees in Obstetrics attended and completed a post-workshop evaluation questionnaire. Five-point Likert scales were used to assess participants' communication and support skills pre- and post- the workshop, and their views on pre-specified attributes needed when caring for families experiencing stillbirth and aspects of the workshop. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis, respectively. RESULTS: 39/59 (66%) workshop participants completed the questionnaires. Most had received no prior training in caring for families experiencing antenatal (31/39, 80%) or intrapartum (34/39, 87%) stillbirth. Following the workshop there was a significant improvement in trainee's level of confidence in breaking bad news, communicating clearly with the family when breaking bad news, recognising the emotional needs of the family, recognising their own emotional responses, and supporting their colleagues. Trainees were positive about the workshop content and delivery; 90% stated they would recommend it to a colleague. DISCUSSION: Adequate, appropriate, and stimulating education and training in stillbirth care and self-care is clearly needed to improve patient care. Our findings demonstrate that this novel educational workshop using applied drama techniques-developed in collaboration with diverse stakeholders and underpinned by the views of parents and obstetricians who had experience of stillbirth-is an acceptable and appropriate way of training obstetricians in how to care for bereaved parents and/or to engage in self-care.


Subject(s)
Empathy , Physicians , Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Stillbirth/psychology , Self Care , Communication
4.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35682340

ABSTRACT

As human activities have destabilised life on Earth, a new geological era is upon us. While there is a myriad of challenges that have emerged because of such human-driven planetary changes, one area of investigation that requires ongoing scholarly attention and scientific debate is the emotions of the Anthropocene. The emotional, mental, and psychological burdens induced by rapid and unprecedented change must be understood to better reflect the experiences of people around the globe and to initiate conversations about how emotions may be used for transformative change and effective politics. This paper aims to provide insights into the types of emotions that are emerging in Oceania as the Anthropocene unfolds. To do this, we draw on several data sets: questionnaire results with visitors of Mt Barney Lodge in the World Heritage Gondwana area in Queensland, Australia; another questionnaire with Pacific Island "experts" engaged in climate change, development, and disaster risk management work; interviews with locals living in the Cook Islands; and various spoken, written, and visual art from the Pacific. Bringing these data sets together allows us to explore a diversity of experiences, perspectives, and emotional responses to the Anthropocene from participants across Oceania. We found that acute and slow-onset weather events, experiences of direct loss and change, a perceived lack of agency or control over futures, and a sense of injustice triggered emotions including fear, stress, anxiety, exhaustion, sadness, grief, anger, frustration, helplessness, worry, but also empowerment. These results are critical for the first step of acknowledging and naming the emotions that are emerging in Oceania, such that they can then be worked through, and may be used for transformative change, effective politics, and agency over futures.


Subject(s)
Disasters , Emotions , Anger , Anxiety , Fear , Humans
5.
Early Interv Psychiatry ; 16(4): 393-401, 2022 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34031987

ABSTRACT

AIM: Outcomes for individuals with psychotic disorders can be improved through early intervention services; however, identification continues to be a major problem in connecting individuals with these services. Social workers form a vast majority of the human service and mental health workforce in the United States and therefore have the potential to play a unique role in identifying and referring those who may benefit from specialty early intervention services. METHODS: The current article describes the methodological design, implementation, and participant recruitment procedures of a large-scale, web-based training program for social workers promoting identification and referral of individuals with emerging symptoms of a mental illness with psychosis in the context of a randomized clinical trial. RESULTS: The web-based study enrolled 1384 individuals. More than half of study participants enrolled within the first 3 months of the 14-month recruitment period. Completion of all study components was achieved by 959 individuals (69% of total enrolled), and completion status did not vary significantly by gender, ethnicity, or facility at which the individual was employed. Completion rates varied by race, such that participants identifying as White were more likely to complete the study, while those identifying as Black were less likely. DISCUSSION: The results suggest the feasibility of using a web-based training program to engage social workers in early psychosis identification practices. Challenges related to encouraging participants to complete the training and lessons learned during the study recruitment are discussed.


Subject(s)
Psychotic Disorders , Humans , Internet , Psychotic Disorders/drug therapy , Psychotic Disorders/therapy , Referral and Consultation , Social Work
6.
Ambio ; 51(5): 1239-1246, 2022 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34669169

ABSTRACT

Human society has experienced, and will continue to experience, extensive loss and damage from worsening anthropogenic climate change. Despite our natural tendencies to categorise and organise, it can be unhelpful to delineate clean boundaries and linear understandings for complex and messy concepts such as loss and damage. Drawing on the perspectives of 42 local and regional Pacific Islander stakeholders, an underexplored resource for understanding loss and damage, we explore the complexity and interconnectedness of non-economic loss and damage (NELD). According to participants, Pacific Islander worldviews, knowledge systems and cosmologies often make it difficult to separate and evaluate NELD independently, challenging the nomenclature of NELD categories developed through international mechanisms. Instead, NELD understandings are often centred on the interdependencies between losses, including the cascading flow-on effects that can occur and the nature of some losses as risk multipliers (i.e. one loss creating the risk for further losses). Most notably, losses to biodiversity, ecosystem services and land are critically linked to, and have cascading effects on, livelihoods, knowledge, ways of life, wellbeing, and culture and heritage. We argue that loss and damage is not always absolute, and that there are NELD that are arguably reparable. Concerning, however, is that biodiversity loss, as a risk multiplier, was considered the least reparable by participants. We put forward that NELD understandings must consider interconnectivity, and that biodiversity and ecosystem conservation and restoration must be the focus for interventions to prevent irreparable and cascading losses from climate change in the Pacific Islands.


Subject(s)
Conservation of Natural Resources , Ecosystem , Biodiversity , Climate Change , Humans , Pacific Islands
7.
J Obstet Gynaecol Res ; 47(6): 1987-1996, 2021 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33932071

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite the high prevalence of miscarriage, there are few studies which assess the concordance of a diagnosis of miscarriage in routinely collected health databases. OBJECTIVES: To determine agreement and accuracy for the diagnosis of miscarriage between electronic health records (EHR), the Hospital Inpatient-Enquiry (HIPE) system, and hospital register books in Ireland. METHODS: This is a retrospective study comparing agreement of diagnosis of miscarriage between three hospital data sources from January to June 2017. All inpatient admissions for miscarriage were reviewed from a single, tertiary maternity hospital in Ireland. Kappa, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were calculated. RESULTS: In this retrospective concordance study, EHR records confirmed 96.2% diagnosis of miscarriage of HIPE records, and 95.1% of register books records. A total of 95 records were not recorded in the register books but were recorded in HIPE and EHR. This study found a considerable variability when comparing definitions of type of miscarriage (i.e., missed miscarriage, incomplete, and complete) between the three data sources. CONCLUSION: Although this study found a high concordance in inpatient admissions for miscarriage between EHR, HIPE, and register books, a considerable discrepancy was found when classifying miscarriage between the three data sources.


Subject(s)
Abortion, Spontaneous , Semantic Web , Abortion, Spontaneous/diagnosis , Abortion, Spontaneous/epidemiology , Books , Electronic Health Records , Female , Humans , Inpatients , Ireland/epidemiology , Patient Discharge , Pregnancy , Retrospective Studies
8.
Ambio ; 49(9): 1474-1489, 2020 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31858487

ABSTRACT

The resettlement of communities has occurred throughout time from a variety of drivers. More recently, relocation from climate change impacts has emerged in policy frameworks and on-the-ground initiatives. While there are few case studies of climate-induced relocation globally, this is expected to increase in the future. Exploring the livelihood implications of past resettlements is one way of better preparing for this. This paper reviews 203 resettlement case studies to evaluate the implications on livelihoods and extract key lessons applicable for future climate-induced relocations. Findings revealed physical outcomes as the only in which any improvement was seen while natural, social, financial, human and cultural outcomes fared worse. Key consideration for future relocations emerged surrounding: (a) land and compensation, (b) accounting for the issue of access to livelihood assets, (c) accounting for the intersections of vulnerability within a 'community', (d) explicit recognition and attention to the cultural dimensions of relocation, and (e) meaningful participatory planning.


Subject(s)
Climate Change , Humans
9.
Ir J Med Sci ; 189(2): 701-709, 2020 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31602574

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing body of research demonstrating stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue among those working in obstetrics and gynaecology. The literature is lacking with respect to targeted interventions aimed at improving staff wellbeing. AIMS: To investigate whether an intervention which increases support for staff is feasible to implement and effective at improving staff wellbeing. METHODS: This study was conducted in a tertiary university teaching maternity hospital. All doctors in training (DITs) (N = 28) and midwives (N = 69) working in the delivery suite were invited to participate. Wellbeing was assessed by measuring burnout, compassion fatigue, and perceived stress using validated questionnaires. These were distributed pre-intervention and 6 months after implementation of the interventions. The support interventions consisted of posters promoting self-care, team bonding sessions, and end of shift meetings. RESULTS: Eighteen (64%) DITs and 22 (31%) midwives returned pre-intervention questionnaires. Thirteen (18%) midwives retuned post-intervention questionnaires, of which five midwives (7%) returned both the pre-intervention questionnaire and the post-intervention questionnaire. Eighty-seven percent of participants were experiencing emotional exhaustion pre-intervention. There was a statistically significant decrease in the Professional Quality of Life burnout score from pre-intervention (M = 25.8) to post-intervention (M = 21.4), p = 0.02. End of shift meetings were discontinued after 5 weeks due to low attendance. End of shift meetings provided an opportunity for support and debriefing; however, the timing of these sessions impaired their long-term feasibility. CONCLUSION: DITs and midwives of this sample are experiencing high levels of burnout and compassion fatigue. End of shift meetings for midwives and team bonding sessions for DITs may positively impact on wellbeing, but in current format, they are not feasible for long-term implementation. The low level of participation highlights a challenge in implementing institution-wide support interventions.


Subject(s)
Hospitals, Maternity/standards , Hospitals, University/standards , Midwifery/standards , Obstetrics/methods , Female , Humans , Ireland , Male
10.
Ambio ; 49(9): 1466-1473, 2020 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31776968

ABSTRACT

The Green Climate Fund, donors, governments and non-governmental organisations, among others, are pouring vast amounts of financial and human capital into community-based adaptation across the developing world. The underlying premise is that the world's majority-who have the minority of financial capital-are living on the margins and are the most vulnerable and at risk from climate change. Such a reality, coupled with a deficit understanding of the majority world, is resulting in significant implications for how the 'adaptation industry' (those that fund, design and implement projects) go about their work. Drawing on research evaluating 15 community-based adaptation projects in Vanuatu we found that despite genuine attempts, projects invariably fell short of success, longevity and sustainability. We argue that the indifferent, albeit variable, success of most projects is attributable to the construction of the geographical scale of 'community-based' and the deficit view flowing down to the 'community' through hubris policy, funding guidelines and individual implementers. Our findings show that 'experts' are working in Pacific communities, conducting assessments that involve asking what 'community' needs are, going away to design projects, coming back and implementing projects, which communities are inevitably challenged to sustain once funding has ceased. We postulate that these limitations stem from such a formation of adaptation work that pejoratively fails to see Pacific Islanders in situ as the best litmus test of their own agendas, needs, aspirations and futures and in the best position to make decisions for themselves about what and how they might become more resilient. We claim from a growing body of evidence and new frontiers in research that, rather than adaptation being 'community-based', it needs to be 'locally led', not limited to 'communities', and should take place across different entry points and incorporate, as appropriate, elements of autonomous/Indigenous peoples ownership.


Subject(s)
Climate Change , Government , Geography , Humans , Vanuatu
11.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol ; 240: 267-272, 2019 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31344666

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Obstetrics involves a high degree of clinical risk. While serious adverse events resulting in substantial maternal or neonatal morbidity or mortality are relatively rare it has been shown that exposure to a such an event can have a predominantly negative personal and professional impact on the healthcare professionals who are involved. There is little in the published literature to show an objective change in clinical practice as a result of an adverse event. The aim of this study was to identify if it was feasible to design a study that could objectively demonstrate if a change in labour ward clinical activity occurred in the 28 days following a serious adverse perinatal event. If this proved possible, the second aim was to identify if these changes could be attributed to the preceding adverse event. STUDY DESIGN: This study was conducted in a large tertiary teaching hospital in Ireland. This was a retrospective observational study conducted using data from a 25-month period from August 2013 to September 2015. Six of the most serious adverse perinatal events that occurred over that time period were identified from the hospital's clinical risk register. Various outcome variables in the form of aggregate data on all deliveries that occurred in CUMH for the 28 days preceding and succeeding the events were collected by the lead author. The medical records for each severe adverse perinatal event were reviewed and the clinical case details recorded. Based on these clinical details individual hypotheses were created for each event. Data was analysed using IBM-SPSS. RESULTS: Aggregate data relating to 6180 deliveries was collected and analysed. Data analysis revealed some statistically significant changes in clinical activity in the 28 days following five of the six adverse events. These changes in clinical activity did not, however, always match what we had expected from our original hypotheses. CONCLUSION: This novel study aimed to identify if it was possible to objectively demonstrate this practice change. We identified some statistically significant changes in clinical activity in the 28 days following five of the six adverse events but were unable to definitively conclude if the change in activity was a direct result of each event.


Subject(s)
Delivery, Obstetric/adverse effects , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Obstetrics , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Female , Humans , Ireland , Pregnancy , Retrospective Studies
12.
Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand ; 97(7): 890-898, 2018 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29608210

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The death of an infant during a pregnancy is profoundly traumatic, both for the parents and for the involved healthcare professionals. Most research focuses on the impact of antenatal stillbirth with very little research examining the specific impact an intrapartum fetal death has on obstetricians. The aim of this study was to provide an in-depth qualitative exploration of the attitudes and responses that Irish obstetricians have following direct involvement with an intrapartum fetal death. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were used. Interpretative phenomenology was used for data analysis. The setting was a tertiary university maternity unit in Ireland with 8200 deliveries per year. Ten obstetricians were purposively sampled. The main outcome measures were the attitudes and responses of Irish obstetricians following exposure to an intrapartum death. RESULTS: Obstetricians were profoundly and negatively affected by a personal involvement with an intrapartum death. Analysis of the data revealed two superordinate themes; the doctor as a person, and supporting each other. The doctor as person was characterized by two subordinate themes; emotional impact and frustration. Supporting each other was also characterized by two subordinate themes; an unmet need and incidental support and what might work. CONCLUSIONS: Obstetric doctors who are directly involved in an intrapartum death are the second victims of this event and this is something that needs to be acknowledged by the public, by the healthcare system, by the media and by the doctors themselves. The development of effective emotional support interventions for all obstetricians is extremely important.


Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Attitude to Death , Physicians/psychology , Stillbirth/psychology , Female , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Ireland , Pregnancy , Qualitative Research
13.
BMJ Open ; 7(9): e017802, 2017 Sep 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28882928

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effect of interventions to reduce stress in pregnant women with a history of miscarriage. DESIGN: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). DATA SOURCE: A total of 13 medical, psychological and social electronic databases were searched from January 1995 to April 2016 including PUBMED, CENTRAL, Web of Science and EMBASE. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: This review focused on women in their subsequent pregnancy following miscarriage. All published RCTs which assessed the effect of non-medical interventions such as counselling or support interventions on psychological and mental health outcomes such as stress, anxiety or depression when compared with a control group were included. Stress, anxiety or depression had to be measured at least preintervention and postintervention. RESULTS: This systematic review found no RCT which met our initial inclusion criteria. Of the 4140 titles screened, 17 RCTs were identified. All of them were excluded. One RCT, which implemented a caring-based intervention, included pregnant women in their subsequent pregnancy; however, miscarriage was analysed as a composite variable among other pregnancy losses such as stillbirth and neonatal death. Levels of perceived stress were measured by four RCTs. Different types of non-medical interventions, time of follow-up and small sample sizes were found. CONCLUSION: Cohort studies and RCTs in non-pregnant women suggest that support and psychological interventions may improve pregnant women's psychological well-being after miscarriage. This improvement may reduce adverse pregnancy-related outcomes in subsequent pregnancies. However, this review found no RCTs which met our criteria. There is a need for targeted RCTs that can provide reliable and conclusive results to determine effective interventions for this vulnerable group.


Subject(s)
Abortion, Spontaneous/psychology , Pregnant Women/psychology , Psychotherapy , Social Support , Anxiety/therapy , Counseling , Depression/therapy , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Stress, Psychological/therapy
14.
Arch Gynecol Obstet ; 295(4): 845-852, 2017 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28210863

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Exposure to adverse perinatal events can impact on the way healthcare professionals (HCPs) provide patient care. The aim of this study was to document the experiences of HCPs following exposure to intrapartum death (IPD), to identify opinions surrounding education and suitable support strategies, and to ascertain if involvement with an IPD had any impact on clinical practice. METHODS: A questionnaire study, with open and closed questions, was developed and set in a tertiary maternity hospital. Consultant obstetricians, trainee obstetricians and midwives were invited to participate. Respondents were questioned about the impact that an intrapartum death had on them, the support they received in the immediate aftermath and their opinions regarding ongoing education and training in the areas of intrapartum death and self-care. RESULTS: Eighty percent of HCPs in our study had a direct involvement with an IPD. Most (82%) HCPs received no training in dealing with IPD while 94% had no education on self-care strategies. Despite it being desired by most (80%), debriefing was offered to just 11% of HCPs who were involved in an IPD. Three main qualitative themes emerged from the data; the personal impact of IPDs on HCPs, implications for professional practice and future patient care, and the importance on non-judgemental support. CONCLUSION: Maternity hospitals need to improve their support structures for HCPs following an IPD. It is hoped that this study will inform future educational practice and identify potential support strategies.


Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Delivery of Health Care , Health Personnel/psychology , Midwifery , Perinatal Death , Physicians/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy
15.
J Nerv Ment Dis ; 203(5): 365-71, 2015 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25900546

ABSTRACT

The aims of this study were to explore secondary outcomes of a coordinated specialty care program for persons with early psychosis, including quality of life and recovery, as well as to explore mediators and moderators of improvement in occupational and social functioning and symptoms. Sixty-five individuals across two sites were enrolled and received services for up to 2 years. Trajectories for individuals' outcomes over time were examined using linear and quadratic mixed-effects models with repeated measures. In addition, baseline prognostic factors of participant improvement in social and occupational functioning were explored based on previous literature and expert opinion of the analytic team. Results demonstrate that the program was effective in improving quality of life and recovery over time. Furthermore, processing speed was identified as a significant moderator of improvement in occupational Global Assessment of Function, and treatment fidelity, engagement, and family involvement were identified as mediators of improvement in social and occupational functioning.


Subject(s)
Cooperative Behavior , Early Diagnosis , Early Medical Intervention , Interdisciplinary Communication , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Patient Care Team , Psychotic Disorders/diagnosis , Psychotic Disorders/rehabilitation , Quality of Life/psychology , Schizophrenia/rehabilitation , Schizophrenic Psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Combined Modality Therapy , Evidence-Based Medicine , Female , Humans , Male , Neuropsychological Tests/statistics & numerical data , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales/statistics & numerical data , Psychometrics , Psychotic Disorders/psychology , Rehabilitation, Vocational , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Social Adjustment
16.
Psychiatr Serv ; 66(7): 691-8, 2015 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25772764

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The RAISE (Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode) Connection Program Implementation and Evaluation Study developed tools necessary to implement and disseminate an innovative team-based intervention designed to promote engagement and treatment participation, foster recovery, and minimize disability among individuals experiencing early psychosis. This article describes the treatment model and reports on service utilization and outcomes. It was hypothesized that individuals' symptoms and functioning would improve over time. METHODS: A total of 65 individuals in RAISE Connection Program treatment across two sites (Baltimore and New York City) were enrolled and received services for up to two years. Primary outcomes, including social and occupational functioning and symptoms, were evaluated. Trajectories for individuals' outcomes over time were examined with linear and quadratic mixed-effects models with repeated measures. RESULTS: Measures of occupational and social functioning improved significantly over time, symptoms declined, and rates of remission improved. Visits were most frequent during the first three months, with a mean±SD of 23.2±11.5 unduplicated staff encounters per quarter. Such encounters decreased to 8.8±5.2 in the final quarter of year 2. CONCLUSIONS: The overall project was successful in that the treatment program was delivered and tools useful to other clinical settings were produced. The strengths of this study lie in the demonstrated feasibility of delivering the coordinated specialty care model and the associated high rates of engagement among individuals who are typically difficult to engage in treatment. Notwithstanding the lack of a built-in comparison group, participant outcomes were promising, with improvements comparable to those seen with other successful interventions.


Subject(s)
Patient Participation , Psychotic Disorders/therapy , Schizophrenia/therapy , Social Adjustment , Adolescent , Adult , Baltimore , Decision Making , Early Medical Intervention , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Male , New York City , Young Adult
17.
Psychiatr Serv ; 66(7): 674-6, 2015 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25555176

ABSTRACT

Mental health programs can address many components of fidelity with routinely available data. Information from client interviews can be used to corroborate these administrative data. This column describes a practical approach to measuring fidelity that used both data sources. The approach was used in the Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) Connection Program, a team-based intervention designed to implement evidence-based practices for people experiencing early psychosis suggestive of schizophrenia. Data indicated that the intervention was implemented as intended, including program elements related to shared decision making and a range of evidence-based clinical interventions.


Subject(s)
Decision Making , Evidence-Based Medicine , Psychotic Disorders/therapy , Schizophrenia/therapy , Humans
18.
BMJ Open ; 4(10): e006291, 2014 Oct 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25354825

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with operative vaginal deliveries (OVDs) performed by day and at night. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Urban maternity unit in Ireland with off-site consultant staff at night. POPULATION: All nulliparous women requiring an OVD with a term singleton fetus in a cephalic presentation from February to November 2013. METHODS: Delivery outcomes were compared for women who delivered by day (08:00-19:59) or at night (20:00-07:59). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcomes included postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), anal sphincter tear and neonatal unit admission. Procedural factors included operator grade, sequential use of instruments and caesarean section. RESULTS: Of the 597 women who required an OVD, 296 (50%) delivered at night. Choice of instrument, place of delivery, sequential use of instruments and caesarean section did not differ significantly in relation to time of birth. Mid-grade operators performed less OVDs by day than at night, OR 0.60 (95% CI 0.43 to 0.83), and a consultant supervisor was more frequently present by day, OR 2.26 (95% CI 1.05 to 4.83). Shoulder dystocia occurred more commonly by day, OR 2.57 (95% CI 1.05 to 6.28). The incidence of PPH, anal sphincter tears, neonatal unit admission, fetal acidosis and neonatal trauma was similar by day and at night. The mean decision to delivery intervals were 12.0 and 12.6 min, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence of an association between time of OVD and adverse perinatal outcomes despite off-site consultant obstetric support at night.


Subject(s)
Anal Canal/injuries , Birth Injuries/epidemiology , Extraction, Obstetrical/statistics & numerical data , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal/statistics & numerical data , Lacerations/epidemiology , Postpartum Hemorrhage/epidemiology , Adult , Cohort Studies , Dystocia , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Ireland , Male , Parity , Personnel Staffing and Scheduling , Pregnancy , Prospective Studies , Time Factors
19.
Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand ; 92(3): 352-61, 2013 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23157497

ABSTRACT

Stillbirth remains a global health challenge which is greatly affected by social and economic inequality, particularly the availability and quality of maternity care. The International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA) exists to raise awareness of stillbirth and to promote global collaboration in the prevention of stillbirth and provision of appropriate care for parents whose baby is stillborn. The focus of this ISA conference was to share experiences to improve bereavement support and clinical care. These issues, relevant throughout the globe, are not discrete but closely interrelated, with both similarities and differences depending on the specific country and cultural context. Counting stillbirths and understanding the causes of stillbirth are essential not only for providing optimal care and support to parents whose babies die, but also for reducing the future burden of stillbirth. This summary highlights novel work from obstetricians, midwives, psychologists, parents and peer support organizations that was presented at the ISA meeting. It covers topics including the bereavement process, peer support for parents, support and training for staff, evidence for clinical care, and the need for accurate data on stillbirths and perinatal audits. Representatives from the maternity services of the region presented their outcome data and shared their experiences of clinical and bereavement care. Data and developments in practice within stillbirth and bereavement care must be widely disseminated and acted upon by those responsible for maternity care provision, both to prevent stillbirths and to provide high-quality care when they do occur.


Subject(s)
Bereavement , Fetal Death/etiology , Postnatal Care/psychology , Stillbirth/epidemiology , Stillbirth/psychology , Cause of Death , Fathers/psychology , Female , Fetal Death/therapy , Grief , Humans , Male , Mothers/psychology , Nurse Midwives/psychology , Physicians/psychology , Professional-Patient Relations , Social Support
20.
Ecohealth ; 8(2): 233-6, 2011 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21882055

ABSTRACT

This communication focuses on respected older womens' ('Aunties') experiences of climate and other environmental change observed on Australia's Erub Island in the Torres Strait. By documenting these experiences, we explore the gendered nature of climate change, and provide new perspectives on how these environmental impacts are experienced, enacted and responded to. The way these adverse changes affect people and places is bound up with numerous constructions of difference, including gender. The responses of the Aunties interviewed to climate change impacts revealed Solastalgia; feelings of sadness, worry, fear and distress, along with a declining sense of self, belonging and familiarity.


Subject(s)
Climate Change , Internal-External Control , Mental Disorders/etiology , Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander/psychology , Stress, Psychological/etiology , Aged , Australia , Environment , Female , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Mental Disorders/ethnology , Sex Factors , Stress, Psychological/ethnology
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