Steven Doherty, Lin Davis, Paul Leschke, Anna Valpiani, Emma Whitely, Della Yarnold and Helen Stevens
The purpose of this paper is to compare data collected by automated form processing with manual data collection for clinical indicators (CIs) in paediatric emergency medicine.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare data collected by automated form processing with manual data collection for clinical indicators (CIs) in paediatric emergency medicine.
Design/methodology/approach
Paediatric patients presenting with croup, asthma, bronchiolitis, head injury and gastroenteritis in August 2006 were identified by ICD 9 coding and a traditional manual audit was performed by two data collectors. Data were collected on a total of 16 CIs for these five illnesses. Manual audit data were then compared to information collected for this same patient population using TELEform™, an automated forms processing (AFP) system that had been employed for over two years.
Findings
Teleform™ data were only available for 24 patients compared to information for 127 patients identified by ICD 9 coding and manual audit. Teleform™ data overestimated compliance with clinical guidelines by 17 percent giving an overall departmental agreement with CIs of 90.6 percent compared to 73.5 percent in the manual audit. Additionally, manual audit demonstrated that when the clinical guideline was incorporated into the clinical record, compliance was 92.5 percent compared to 51.3 percent when it was not.
Originality/value
This single center study demonstrates that data collected by AFP such as TELEform™, overestimate emergency department performance regarding CIs compliance. Departments that use automated data collection tools need to establish relationships between such data and data collected via more traditional auditing methods.
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There is evidence that some strategies for guideline implementation are more successful than others. This paper aims to describe the process of developing an evidence‐based…
Abstract
Purpose
There is evidence that some strategies for guideline implementation are more successful than others. This paper aims to describe the process of developing an evidence‐based guideline implementation strategy for use in rural emergency departments.
Design/methodology/approach
Participation in a nationally funded, research fellowship program involved attendance at workshops run by internationally renowned experts in the field of knowledge translation. Attendance at these workshops, associated reading and a literature review allowed those implementation strategies with the most supportive evidence of effectiveness to be determined.
Findings
A multi‐faceted implementation strategy was developed. This strategy involved the use of an implementation team as well as addressing issues surrounding individual clinicians, the “emergency department team”, the physical structure and processes of the ED and the culture of the department as a whole. Reminders, audit and feedback, education, the use of opinion leaders, and evidence‐based formatting of guidelines were all integral to the process.
Practical implications
It is postulated that an evidence‐based implementation strategy will lead to greater changes in clinician behaviour than other strategies used in quality improvement projects.
Originality/value
This is an important article as it describes the concept and development of evidence‐based interventions, which, if tailored to the individual hospital (as evidence‐based medicine is tailored to the individual patient), has the potential to improve compliance with clinical guidelines beyond that achieved with most QI projects.
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Since Barker, Gupta, and Iantaffi (2007), in both mainstream cultural products and academic literature dealing with BDSM, there has been an increase in emanations of the “healing…
Abstract
Since Barker, Gupta, and Iantaffi (2007), in both mainstream cultural products and academic literature dealing with BDSM, there has been an increase in emanations of the “healing narrative,” which suggests that BDSM practices offer therapeutic potential. However, no significant attempt has been made to explore in greater detail the problematic relationship between this healing narrative and the history of pathologization of sadomasochistic desires and practices. Barker et al. (2007) rightly point out that in suggesting BDSM has healing potential, one runs the risk of implying that individuals who practice BDSM are in need of healing to begin with. This could be damaging to the image of BDSM, which after centuries of pathologization finally appears to be moving into a realm of acceptability. However, the experiences of BDSM practitioners who describe their practices as healing should not be discounted and could actually help to cultivate a more positive reputation, which makes the issue a political one. In this chapter, through an exploration of the concept of “healing” in cultural objects such as the film Secretary (2002, directed by Steven Shainberg) and the Showtime cable television series Billions (2016–present), this issue will be investigated further, leading to a way out of the apparent double bind. The aim is to come to an understanding of the therapeutic potential of BDSM, which would not only reframe the discourse of pathologization surrounding BDSM but also further the political goal of creating space for BDSM practitioners to explore their desires without having to experience stigmatization.
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– The purpose of this paper is to explore the phenomenon of mate crime and attempts to assess its practical as well as its theoretical implications.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the phenomenon of mate crime and attempts to assess its practical as well as its theoretical implications.
Design/methodology/approach
It begins with an account of the short history of the concept and then positions mate crime within academic theorising around general hate crime and disability.
Findings
Particular reference is made to the significance of the issue of vulnerability and how its interpretation might affect understanding of this phenomenon.
Research limitations/implications
This is followed by some observations on how agencies of social policy and the legislature are responding to the issue of mate crime.
Practical implications
Particular reference is paid to the impact of safeguarding adults procedures.
Originality/value
It concludes that, although “mates” can (and do) “hate”, further research is required on the subject in order to gain better knowledge of the issue from both a theoretical and a practice position.
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Steven H. Appelbaum and Magda Donia
While downsizing has become an increasingly popular organizational tool in the achievement and/or maintenance of competitiveness and increased productivity, the negative side…
Abstract
While downsizing has become an increasingly popular organizational tool in the achievement and/or maintenance of competitiveness and increased productivity, the negative side effect known as survivor syndrome continues to plague many post‐downsizing organizations. This two‐part article examines the full spectrum of research, with the goal of producing a model. The model is based upon the problems survivors experienced and modeled after the John Wanous realistic job preview (RJP). The realistic downsizing preview (RDP), which can be effectively used before the downsizing, is implemented to prevent survivor syndrome in the aftermath of the downsizing. The foundation of the RDP model is that by addressing issues that have been observed as survivor syndromes prior to a downsizing, the negative outcomes can be minimized. Part I considers downsizing, its effects on survivors and their needs, and the importance of good communication and perceived fairness within the process.
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Yiye Han and Steven Yates
Monash University Library (MUL) has embraced eLearning as a strategy in its contribution to information research and learning skills development within the university. The purpose…
Abstract
Purpose
Monash University Library (MUL) has embraced eLearning as a strategy in its contribution to information research and learning skills development within the university. The purpose of this paper is to describe an evaluation of the implementation of the strategy with recommendations for sustaining and improving practice.
Design/methodology/approach
The evaluation is divided into four categories using a mixed methods methodology for evidence gathering. Quantitative and qualitative data are obtained from both primary and secondary sources for an enriched understanding of practices.
Findings
Findings suggest that library staff have gained knowledge and skills indicating a sustainable strategy. However, further work is required to sustain staff development and support staff requirements in the long term.
Research limitations/implications
This research is limited by its wide focus. Although this is mostly resolved through the use of multiple data collection methods, the thoroughness of the evaluation may have suffered while attempting to be comprehensive.
Practical implications
The conclusions of this evaluation as well as methods of its execution can be shared with other institutions wishing to produce eLearning resources in a sustainable and effective manner.
Originality/value
MUL develops its eLearning resources in-house, whereas many other institutions outsource. The findings of this case study could be viewed as a positive indication of this in-house practice, which in turn might inform other organisations who are looking for a financially beneficial eLearning alternative.
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Frank Kwakutse Ametefe, Steven Devaney and Simon Andrew Stevenson
The purpose of this paper is to establish an optimum mix of liquid, publicly traded assets that may be added to a real estate portfolio, such as those held by open-ended funds, to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to establish an optimum mix of liquid, publicly traded assets that may be added to a real estate portfolio, such as those held by open-ended funds, to provide the liquidity required by institutional investors, such as UK defined contribution pension funds. This is with the objective of securing liquidity while not unduly compromising the risk-return characteristics of the underlying asset class. This paper considers the best mix of liquid assets at different thresholds for a liquid asset allocation, with the performance then evaluated against that of a direct real estate benchmark index.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors employ a mean-tracking error optimisation approach in determining the optimal combination of liquid assets that can be added to a real estate fund portfolio. The returns of the optimised portfolios are compared to the returns for portfolios that employ the use of either cash or listed real estate alone as a liquidity buffer. Multivariate generalised autoregressive models are used along with rolling correlations and tracking errors to gauge the effectiveness of the various portfolios in tracking the performance of the benchmark index.
Findings
The results indicate that applying formal optimisation techniques leads to a considerable improvement in the ability of the returns from blended real estate portfolios to track the underlying real estate market. This is the case at a number of different thresholds for the liquid asset allocation and in cases where a minimum return requirement is imposed.
Practical implications
The results suggest that real estate fund managers can realise the liquidity benefits of incorporating publicly traded assets into their portfolios without sacrificing the ability to deliver real estate-like returns. However, in order to do so, a wider range of liquid assets must be considered, not just cash.
Originality/value
Despite their importance in the real estate investment industry, comparatively few studies have examined the structure and operation of open-ended real estate funds. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to analyse the optimal composition of liquid assets within blended or hybrid real estate portfolios.
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Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Imran Qureshi and Ishamuddin Mustapha
The emergence of social entrepreneurship, since its nascent stage, brought to light the imminent need to make the social value creating models workable by measuring the value…
Abstract
The emergence of social entrepreneurship, since its nascent stage, brought to light the imminent need to make the social value creating models workable by measuring the value created by them. This study reviews the existing literature from the past two decades to establish the role of accounting techniques in the measurement of social value. Nine databases were searched with the word combination “SROI” and “social enterprise” to determine the number of publications related to the field and the trend in its publishing. A classification of themes from selected studies was conducted to establish the direction of research in this context. Social return on investment (SROI) has been tested as a compatible measure and its implementation in various scenarios produced results; however, the inadequacy of its outcomes gives rise to the question whether any measurement tool can be appropriate for social value measurement because there is a need to justify the measurement of social value. The current trends call for further research in the field of customized measurement tools for the measurement of social value.