Andrea Brooks, Suzanna Fitzpatrick and Eleanor Dunlap
Teamwork is essential for patient safety as highly functioning teams make fewer errors. In high acuity academic medical centers, care delivery is complex and ever-changing…
Abstract
Teamwork is essential for patient safety as highly functioning teams make fewer errors. In high acuity academic medical centers, care delivery is complex and ever-changing, creating a high-risk environment for safety concerns. These intricate settings demand a collaborative approach to care delivery, where structured methods of teamwork and communication are engrained in day-to-day practice. With teamwork being a critical component of patient safety and communication failures likened to preventable medical errors, hospitals are looking to bolster leadership training and improve team dynamics. TeamSTEPPS is a proven method shown to enhance teamwork, communication, leadership, and patient satisfaction. TeamSTEPPS provides an evidence-based framework to optimize patient outcomes by improving communication and teamwork skills among healthcare professionals. Current literature on teamwork and communication demonstrates that nurse practitioners are uniquely positioned to improve team performance through the use of the TeamSTEPPS framework.
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Jean D. Hallewell Haslwanter, Geraldine Fitzpatrick and Klaus Miesenberger
Digital systems for independent aging, support and care are not being adopted as hoped. The purpose of this paper is to examine the results of three studies to derive key factors…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital systems for independent aging, support and care are not being adopted as hoped. The purpose of this paper is to examine the results of three studies to derive key factors during the development and engineering process of care and support systems for older people that can impact acceptance and uptake to provide support to future projects.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper analyzed the results of three qualitative studies, including two detailed case studies and a further study with 35 participants, to derive key factors. Methods for deriving factors are based on thematic analysis to identify common factors across cases and participants.
Findings
The findings point to a broad set of interconnected factors that give developers of these types of systems specific recommendations. These highlight what makes these projects complex and identify implications for the development process. Furthermore, they show way the needed user-centered and iterative methods may be in conflict with funding processes.
Originality/value
While others have reported on single projects or looked at acceptance, these studies were the first to explore aspects of the development process that may contribute to the lack of success to date of these types of systems. The results here support more successful outcomes in the future, both by helping people involved in the development of these systems to avoid some of the issues others face and providing input to improve the performance of the engineering process.
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Jessica Anderson, Jacklyn Bruce and Lauren Mouton
The purposes of this qualitative study were to determine the contribution of 4-H experiences to leadership life skill development of college-level 4-H alumni and to determine the…
Abstract
The purposes of this qualitative study were to determine the contribution of 4-H experiences to leadership life skill development of college-level 4-H alumni and to determine the effect of those skills on collegiate alumni’s desire to continue involvement in 4-H. The research methods included semi-structured interviews. Major findings of the study noted that the interviewees’ 4-H experiences positively contributed to leadership life skill development, closely following the pattern of the four essential elements which serve as the foundation of 4-H programming. Also identified was a strong desire of college-level 4-H alumni to continue their participation with 4-H. Recommendations include specifically targeting this generation of alumni for greater utilization because of their strong desire to stay connected.
This study concerned aspiring educational leaders’ problem-solving skill development, specifically through classroom instruction with real-world scenarios. Professional educators…
Abstract
This study concerned aspiring educational leaders’ problem-solving skill development, specifically through classroom instruction with real-world scenarios. Professional educators obtaining an advanced degree in educational administration at a public university were surveyed in the fall and spring about their problem-solving abilities. Participants were also asked to respond to real-world principal scenarios. Focus group interviews were conducted in the spring. Results indicated that participants’ confidence in their problem-solving abilities did improve, though their ability to address the real-world problems did not improve significantly. Participants identified the value of learning from real-world scenarios and professors who had experience as administrators, and they also recognized the importance of learning from one another during discussions of the scenarios. Participants indicated that they still needed experience working in actual administrative contexts.
Yang Guan, Shengbo Eben Li, Jingliang Duan, Wenjun Wang and Bo Cheng
Decision-making is one of the key technologies for self-driving cars. The high dependency of previously existing methods on human driving data or rules makes it difficult to model…
Abstract
Purpose
Decision-making is one of the key technologies for self-driving cars. The high dependency of previously existing methods on human driving data or rules makes it difficult to model policies for different driving situations.
Design/methodology/approach
In this research, a probabilistic decision-making method based on the Markov decision process (MDP) is proposed to deduce the optimal maneuver automatically in a two-lane highway scenario without using any human data. The decision-making issues in a traffic environment are formulated as the MDP by defining basic elements including states, actions and basic models. Transition and reward models are defined by using a complete prediction model of the surrounding cars. An optimal policy was deduced using a dynamic programing method and evaluated under a two-dimensional simulation environment.
Findings
Results show that, at the given scenario, the self-driving car maintained safety and efficiency with the proposed policy.
Originality/value
This paper presents a framework used to derive a driving policy for self-driving cars without relying on any human driving data or rules modeled by hand.
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Mounir Louhaichi, Azaiez Ouled Belgacem, Steven L. Petersen and Sawsan Hassan
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the vulnerability of the important rangeland shrub, Atriplex leucoclada (Boiss) to both climate change and livestock grazing, within the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the vulnerability of the important rangeland shrub, Atriplex leucoclada (Boiss) to both climate change and livestock grazing, within the Syrian rangelands as a representative landscape type of West Asia.
Design/methodology/approach
Ecologically based quantitative niche models were developed for both shrub species using maximum entropy and 13 spatially explicit GIS-based layers to predict current and future species distribution scenarios. Climatic variables varied over time in line with the predictions created from the HADCM3 global circulation model.
Findings
Results indicate that with grazing and climate change, the distribution of A. leucoclada will be reduced by 54 per cent in 2050, with the mean annual and minimum temperatures of the coldest month having the highest contribution in the model (28.7 and 21.2 per cent, respectively). The contribution of the grazing pressure, expressed by the overgrazing index, was estimated at 8.2 per cent.
Originality/value
These results suggest that the interaction of climate and increased grazing has the potential to favor the establishment of unpalatable species, while reducing the distribution of preferred plant species on western Asia rangelands.
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Mariah R. Jenkins, Sara K. McBride, Meredith Morgoch and Hollie Smith
The 2019 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR) cites earthquakes as the most damaging natural hazard globally, causing billions of dollars of damage and…
Abstract
Purpose
The 2019 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR) cites earthquakes as the most damaging natural hazard globally, causing billions of dollars of damage and killing thousands of people. Earthquakes have the potential to drastically impact physical, social and economic landscapes; to reduce this risk, earthquake early warning (EEW) systems have been developed. However, these technical EEW systems do not operate in a vacuum; the inequities in social systems, along with the needs of diverse populations, must be considered when developing these systems and their associated communication campaigns.
Design/methodology/approach
This article reviews aspects of social vulnerability as they relate to ShakeAlert, the EEW system for the USA. The authors identified two theories (relationship management theory and mute group theory) to inform self-reflective questions for agencies managing campaigns for EEW systems, which can assist in the development of more inclusive communication practices. Finally, the authors suggest this work contributes to important conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) issues within early warning systems and earthquake preparedness campaigns in general.
Findings
To increase inclusivity, Macnamara (2012) argues that self-reflective questioning while analyzing perspective, philosophy and approaches for a campaign can help. Specific to EEW campaigns, developers may find self-reflective questions a useful approach to increase inclusion. These questions are guided by two theories and are explored in the paper.
Research limitations/implications
Several research limitations exist. First, this work explores two theories to develop a combined theoretical model for self-reflective questions. Further research is required to determine if this approach and the combination of these two theories have adequately informed the development of the reflective questions.
Originality/value
The authors could find little peer-reviewed work examining DEI for EEW systems, and ShakeAlert in particular. While articles on early warning systems exist that explore aspects of this, EEW and ShakeAlert, with its very limited time frames for warnings, creates unique challenges.
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Maha Alsabbagh and Waheeb Essa Alnaser
Bahrain has set a national target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, with an interim goal of a 30% reduction in CO2e emissions by 2035. The aim of this policy brief is to…
Abstract
Purpose
Bahrain has set a national target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, with an interim goal of a 30% reduction in CO2e emissions by 2035. The aim of this policy brief is to provide insights on how carbon neutrality in Bahrain can be achieved.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of literature related to climate change mitigation in general, and that related to Bahrain in particular, was carried out.
Findings
Given that the carbon intensity of Bahrain's economy is relatively high, achieving carbon neutrality requires not only technologies for reducing CO2e emissions at the source and enhanced carbon sinks, but it also requires the introduction of a circular economy culture and efforts to foster pro-environmental behavior within the population. The involvement of different stakeholders in the journey toward carbon neutrality is critical, along with the formulation of requisite policies regulating the roles of technology, behavior and research.
Originality/value
Pathways to achieve carbon neutrality in Bahrain were explored, and areas for policy focus were recommended.
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Alessandra Da Ros, Francesca Pennucci and Sabina De Rosis
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare systems, presenting unforeseen challenges that necessitated the implementation of change management…
Abstract
Purpose
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare systems, presenting unforeseen challenges that necessitated the implementation of change management strategies to adapt to the new contextual conditions. This study aims to analyze organizational changes within the total hip replacement (THR) surgery pathway at multiple levels, including macro, meso and micro. It employs data triangulation from various sources to gauge the complexity of the change process and comprehend how multi-level decision-making influenced an unexpected shift.
Design/methodology/approach
A multicentric, single in-depth case study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach. Data sources included patient-reported outcome measures specific to the THR pathway and carefully structured in-depth interviews administered to managers and clinicians in two healthcare organizations serving the same population.
Findings
Decisions made at the macro level resulted in an overall reduction in surgical activities. Organizational changes at the meso level led to a complete cessation or partial reorganization of activities. Micro-level actions for change and adaptation revealed diverse and fragmented change management strategies.
Practical implications
Organizations with segmented structures may require a robust and structured department for coordinating change management responses to prevent the entire system from becoming stuck in the absorptive phase of change. However, it is important to recognize that absorptive solutions can serve as a starting point for genuine innovations in change management.
Originality/value
The utilization of data triangulation enables the authors to visualize how specific changes implemented in response to the pandemic have influenced the observed outcomes. From a managerial perspective, it provides insights into how future innovations could be introduced.
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Karin Lundin, Bernice Skytt, Marit Silén, Maria Engström and Annika Strömberg
The purpose of this paper is to describe first-line managers’ (FLMs’) experiences and reflections on structural conditions for management practice within hospital settings using…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe first-line managers’ (FLMs’) experiences and reflections on structural conditions for management practice within hospital settings using Kanter’s theory of structural empowerment.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative deductive approach with a descriptive design was used. Interviews were conducted with 11 FLMs in charge of medical or surgical hospital units spread across Sweden. Data were analyzed using a directed content analysis, based on Kanter’s theory of structural empowerment, encompassing such as access to necessary and sufficient resources, information, support and opportunities to learn and develop.
Findings
Findings of this study from the FLMs’ descriptions and reflections shed light on the impact of power dynamics on the structural conditions for management practice. The availability of nursing staff was a fundamental resource in the FLMs’ work performance, ensuring delivery of care to patients and a sound work environment for staff. Additionally, the other structural elements outlined in Kanter’s theory were evident in the findings, as the FLMs wished for structured information flow, identified potential and challenged opportunities for development and emphasized the importance of receiving support from people with a genuine understanding of their work situation.
Originality/value
The results of this study contribute to the understanding of FLMs’ structural conditions for management practice in hospital settings. The paper’s originality stems from the use of a deductive approach, providing a structured lens with the potential to inform future research and practice in the field of health-care management.