Gro Gade Haanes, Anne-Sofie Helvik and Aud Johannessen
This study aims to characterize the experiences of health professionals participating in an exploratory randomized controlled trial designed to improve hearing and vision among…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to characterize the experiences of health professionals participating in an exploratory randomized controlled trial designed to improve hearing and vision among older adults without dementia receiving the in-home health services provided by Norwegian municipalities.
Design/methodology/approach
Semistructured individual and paired interviews were conducted by nine health professionals from five municipalities to explore health professionals’ experiences with the intervention. The data were analyzed using content analysis.
Findings
Three main categories of experiences were identified: (1) participating in the intervention, (2) emerging new knowledge and (3) developing in-home health services. The mutual collaboration between health professionals and service recipients during the screening process led to a more-thorough understanding of the service recipients’ needs and resources, enabling personalized advice and guidance.
Research limitations/implications
In-home interventions have the potential to improve the quality of life of older adults with hearing and vision impairments. Given the promising outcomes of such interventions, future research should (1) investigate their effects on changes in behaviors and attitudes, (2) integrate technological advancements and (3) explore environmental modifications to further enhance the quality of life of older adults in various settings.
Practical implications
The health professionals in this study enjoyed assisting the service recipients in receiving in-home health services by screening their hearing, vision and indoor lighting conditions. The trial enabled the health professionals to provide personalized advice, and to motivate and guide the service recipients toward actions to remedy their impairments.
Social implications
The health professionals recommended hearing, vision and indoor lighting screening to be a routine municipal service because it would safeguard independence, prevent falling and maintain the quality of life of service recipients. However, additional resources are needed to implement these recommendations.
Originality/value
In-home interventions have the potential to improve the quality of life of older adults with hearing and vision impairments.
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Annie K. Lewis, Nicholas F. Taylor, Patrick W. Carney and Katherine E. Harding
Interventions that improve timely access to outpatient health services are essential in managing demand. This process evaluation aimed to describe the implementation, mechanism of…
Abstract
Purpose
Interventions that improve timely access to outpatient health services are essential in managing demand. This process evaluation aimed to describe the implementation, mechanism of impact and context of an intervention to reduce waiting for first appointments in an outpatient epilepsy clinic.
Design/methodology/approach
The UK Medical Research Council framework was used as the theoretical basis for a process evaluation alongside an intervention trial. The intervention, Specific Timely Appointments for Triage (STAT), is a data-driven approach that combines a one-off backlog reduction strategy with methods to balance supply and demand. A mixed methods process evaluation synthesised routinely collected quantitative and qualitative data, which were mapped to the domains of implementation, mechanisms of impact and contextual elements.
Findings
The principles of the STAT model were implemented as intended without adaptation. The STAT model reached all patients referred, including long waiters and was likely generalisable to other medical outpatient clinics. Mechanisms of impact were increased clinic capacity and elimination of unwanted variation. Contextual elements included the complexity of healthcare systems and the two-tier triage practice that contributes to prolonged waiting for patients classified as non-urgent.
Originality/value
This process evaluation shows how a data-driven strategy was applied in a medical outpatient setting to manage demand. Improving patient flow by reducing waiting in non-urgent, outpatient care is a complex problem. Understanding how and why interventions work is important for improved timeliness of care, and sustainability of public health services.
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Janandani Nanayakkara, Gozde Aydin, Alison O. Booth, Anthony Worsley and Claire Margerison
This study aims to examine Victorian primary school parents’ perspectives about a potential school-provided lunch program (LP).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine Victorian primary school parents’ perspectives about a potential school-provided lunch program (LP).
Design/methodology/approach
An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in Victoria, Australia, in 2022 to explore parents’ perceptions regarding the lunch menu, funding source, amount willing to pay, frequency of meals and special dietary needs of a school-provided LP.
Findings
Over half of parents (57% out of 359) said they would allow their child to participate in a school LP, 34% were unsure and only 9% said they would not. The opportunity for hot cooked lunches at school and the perceived convenience for parents were the top two reasons for favouring such a program. Fifty-eight percent were in favour of hybrid-type funding from both the government and parents. The most preferred amount to pay per meal was AUD5-6 (43%), followed by AUD3-4 (25%). Parents expected meals to be healthy and made from whole food and cater to the special dietary and cultural needs of their children. They also expected enough time to be allocated so children could eat and enjoy the meals.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore Victorian parents’ perceptions regarding the above aspects of a school-provided LP. The findings suggest that parents are receptive to a school-provided LP; they, however, did have several expectations regarding the menu and time for eating. These findings provide important directions for designing future school-provided LPs at primary schools in Australia.