Aditi Gupta, Ying Liu, Tsung-Cheng Lin, Qichen Zhong and Tad Suzuki
The purpose of this paper is to summarize the findings from focus group interviews conducted with librarians and library staff, faculty and students. It highlights the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to summarize the findings from focus group interviews conducted with librarians and library staff, faculty and students. It highlights the significance of implementing inclusive teaching and culturally responsive strategies in instructional settings and interactions with library patrons and seeks to emphasize the importance of developing guidelines, best practices and effective strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
Using focus groups, this study interviewed librarians and library staff, faculty and students. This research approach identified, reviewed and assessed existing programs and practices in instruction and library interactions.
Findings
The findings from this paper indicate that while faculty and librarians are making individual efforts to promote inclusivity in teaching and interacting with patrons, many participants expressed the necessity for institutional-level training, guidelines and good practices on how to achieve and implement culturally responsive and inclusive teaching strategies.
Originality/value
The methodology utilized in this study can be adapted by other libraries or institutions aiming to explore the practice of inclusive pedagogy and culturally responsive teaching within their own context. The insights from the study inform the development of strategies that librarians, faculty and staff can employ to integrate inclusive and culturally responsive teaching into their instruction and services for the wider academic community.
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Jian Pei Kong, Azlee Bin Ayub and Rawa Ak Bau
National Health and Morbidity Survey of Malaysia 2011 revealed that hypercholesterolemia (35.1 per cent, 6.2 million) was the primary leading causes of cardiovascular disease in…
Abstract
Purpose
National Health and Morbidity Survey of Malaysia 2011 revealed that hypercholesterolemia (35.1 per cent, 6.2 million) was the primary leading causes of cardiovascular disease in Malaysia. Currently, three established recommended approaches such as therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) diet, pharmacotherapy (simvastatin) and TLC + simvastatin are available to the public but, to our knowledge, have never been compared in Malaysia Primary Health Care setting. Hence, this paper aims to compare the lipid lowering effects of these three approaches in a primary health care clinic.
Design/methodology/approach
This randomized trial enrolled 180 patients with hypercholesterolemia who met adult treatment panel III (ATP III) criteria. All participants were randomized to TLC diet, simvastatin (10-20 mg/d) or TLC + simvastatin diets. The TLC group was enrolled in a 12-week multidisciplinary lifestyle program that involved monthly 45 minutes to hour meetings. The simvastatin group received medication, and traditional counseling was conducted by registered medical officer. Another group was enrolled into TLC + simvastain treatment. The primary outcome measure was the percentage change in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Secondary measures were changes in weight loss, blood pressure and dietary changes. Assessments were repeated at three-month interval.
Findings
Lifestyle changes combined with simvastatin had a better lipid lowering effect compared to the other two treatments. However, TLC had a better weight and blood pressure reduction compared to the other two treatments. Nevertheless, TLC group showed reduction proportions similar to standard therapy with simvastatin or TLC + simvastatin. TLC has proven as an alternative approach to hyperlipidemia for a subset of patients unwilling or unable to take statins especially in a community-based, primary health care setting.
Research limitations/implications
Weight loss was not recorded for simvastatin participants, and this was the major drawback of this study, and there was no comparable weight loss reduction with other groups.
Originality/value
In Malaysia, the efficacy of hypocholesterolemic therapies among patients who are receiving the most common lipid-lowering drug, simvastatin, in primary health care setting has not been clearly defined. There is also a lack of research on the efficacy of TLC conducted by registered dietitian in a primary health care setting in Malaysia.
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Jian Pei Kong, Linda Jok, Azlee Bin Ayub and Rawa Ak Bau
This study aims to pilot test a new multi-component worksite intervention for weight loss in a primary healthcare setting.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to pilot test a new multi-component worksite intervention for weight loss in a primary healthcare setting.
Design/methodology/approach
This randomized trial involved 88 participants (43, 45; intervention, control group). The intervention group enrolled in a 12-week lifestyle program that involved modification of dietary intake by community Registered Dietitian (RDs) and increasing high-intensity interval training (HITT) with motivational interviewing (MI) to support changes. The control group received traditional counselling and weekly aerobic exercise from Medical Officer and physiotherapist. The primary outcome measure was the changes in body weight. Secondary measures were changes in blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, fasting blood lipid and dietary changes. Assessments were repeated at a three-month interval.
Findings
There was a significant reduction in body weight and waist circumference within groups. Intervention group demonstrated a significant improvement in all cardiometabolic risk factors. This study showed that primary healthcare setting can be successful locations in promoting short-term health benefits. RDs were more successful and HITT appeared to be a favorable workout with MI in achieving drastic weight loss.
Research limitations/implications
The short-term worksite intervention and not recording of body composition were the major drawbacks in this study.
Originality/value
The efficacy of multi-component worksite intervention (Diet–HITT–MI) in primary healthcare setting has not been clearly defined.
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Outi Tuisku, Satu Pekkarinen, Lea Hennala and Helinä Melkas
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the publicity around the implementation of the Zora robot in elderly-care services in Lahti, Finland. The aim is to discover opinions…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the publicity around the implementation of the Zora robot in elderly-care services in Lahti, Finland. The aim is to discover opinions concerning the use of robots in elderly care as well as the arguments and justifications behind those opinions. Zora is a humanoid robot intended to promote mobility and rehabilitation. The Lahti pilot was the first Zora pilot in Finland in public elderly-care services. It received much publicity, both regionally and nationally.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on an empirical case study on the implementation of the Zora robot in elderly-care services. The data consist of interviews with personnel who operated Zora and comments from the general public about the “Zora” robot. Two data sources were used: 107 comments were collected from online and print media, and the personnel (n=39) who worked with Zora were interviewed. The data were analysed by means of interpretative content analysis.
Findings
The results show that public opinion is mainly negative, but that the commentators apparently have little information about the robot and its tasks. The personnel had more positive views; they saw it as a recreational tool, not as a replacement for their own roles.
Originality/value
There is clearly a need for more information, for a better informed discussion on how robots can be used in elderly care and how to involve the general public in this discussion in a constructive way.
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Amila Buddhika Sirisena and Rotem Shneor
Despite the growing numbers of internationally active nonprofit organizations (NPOs), research on various facets of NPOs’ internationalization has been limited. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the growing numbers of internationally active nonprofit organizations (NPOs), research on various facets of NPOs’ internationalization has been limited. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of target-country related factors on international market selection of NPOs.
Design/methodology/approach
Analysis is based on a logistic regression procedure using a self-compiled data set of 2,440 observations of de-facto entry or non-entry occurrences made by 19 large development-focused NPOs.
Findings
The study reveals that NPOs select target markets that are less developed, characterized by greater risk profiles, where other NPOs tend to cluster, and those that are preferred by their home-country governments. Moreover, findings suggest that with respect to institutional strength, NPOs balance mission to help strengthen institutions where needed, and avoidance of environments with extremely dysfunctional institutions, hence opting to operate in environments with medium levels of institutional strength.
Research limitations/implications
The study only looked at external environmental factors, it must be acknowledged that a more complete understanding of NPO market selection decisions must also include variables internal to the organization. Further the study is based on a sample of NPOs dealing with poverty alleviation, which limits the generalization. Finally, the use of data from secondary sources creates its own limitations.
Originality/value
This study represents one of the few cross country studies done on the area, thus contributing for the development of the field.