Insights from a Web-based survey into the psychosocial experiences of adults with dyslexia: Findings from a final comment question.

Not seemingly measuring up to Western societies' educational and occupational expectations for success, adults with dyslexia are at risk for discrimination, humiliation, low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, depression, and anxiety. We analysed 113 responses to the final comment question that was incorporated at the end of a quantitative survey on the socioemotional experiences of adults with dyslexia. The final comment question was not intended for conveying personal experiences, yet the final comment responses were personal, in-depth, and substantive - indicators of quality recommended in survey research. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and develop themes. One overarching theme was yearnings for understanding and acceptance. Its associated subthemes included (1) "This stuff is torture", (2) "Thank God I'm not normal, (3) educational experience, (4) coping strategies, (5) family support, and (6) generational dyslexia. This study contributes to the small but growing body of literature on the socioemotional experiences of adults with dyslexia. Among the implications for practice, policy and research, a larger challenge at the broader society level that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion for individuals with dyslexia is forefront.

Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Factors Impacting Referral to and Participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation for African American Patients: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this systematic review were to (1) review the literature related to the demographic and biopsychosocial-spiritual factors impacting cardiac rehabilitation (CR) referral and participation of African American patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD); (2) identify barriers and facilitators to CR referral and participation for this population; (3) identify gaps in the literature; and (4) make recommendations for future research studies and interventions. METHODS: The Cooper 7-step protocol for research synthesis was followed to formulate a research question and search MEDLINE via PubMed, PsycINFO via EBSCO, and CINAHL via EBSCO. A second reviewer repeated the searches performed by the first author in the initial review. RESULTS: A total of 1640 articles identified using the search strategy yielded 7 articles that fit the search criteria. Most studies measured demographic or social factors. Two studies measured biological factors, 1 study measured psychological factors, and no study measured spiritual factors. CONCLUSIONS: According to the studies reviewed, African American patients with CVD were less likely to receive a CR referral, more likely to enroll in CR with more cardiovascular risk factors, and less likely to participate in and complete CR due to factors related to low socioeconomic status (eg, lack of insurance, work conflicts, lower level of education) than non-Hispanic white patients. Further research is needed on the interaction between demographic/biopsychosocial-spiritual factors and referral to and participation of African Americans in CR in order to ensure that interventions fit the needs of this particular population.

Paediatric palliative care: a review of needs, obstacles and the future.

AIM: This literature review offers a response to the current paediatric palliative care literature that will punctuate the need for a framework (i.e. the three world view) that can serve as an evaluative lens for nurse managers who are in the planning or evaluative stages of paediatric palliative care programmes. BACKGROUND: The complexities in providing paediatric palliative care extend beyond clinical practices to operational policies and financial barriers that exist in the continuum of services for patients. EVALUATION: This article offers a review of the literature and a framework in order to view best clinical practices, operational/policy standards and financial feasibility when considering the development and sustainability of paediatric palliative care programmes. KEY ASPECTS: Fifty-four articles were selected as representative of the current state of the literature as it pertains to the three world view (i.e. clinical, operational and financial factors) involved in providing paediatric palliative care. CONCLUSION: In developing efficient paediatric palliative care services, clinical, operational and financial resources and barriers need to be identified and addressed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nursing management plays a crucial role in addressing the clinical, operational and financial needs and concerns that are grounded in paediatric palliative care literature.

The clinical, operational, and financial worlds of neonatal palliative care: A focused ethnography.

OBJECTIVE: Due to multiple issues, integrated interdisciplinary palliative care teams in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may be difficult to access, sometimes fail to be implemented, or provide inconsistent or poorly coordinated care. When implementing an effective institution-specific neonatal palliative care program, it is critical to include stakeholders from the clinical, operational, and financial worlds of healthcare. In this study, researchers sought to gain a multidisciplinary perspective into issues that may impact the implementation of a formal neonatal palliative care program at a tertiary regional academic medical center. METHOD: In this focused ethnography, the primary researcher conducted semistructured interviews that explored the perspectives of healthcare administrators, finance officers, and clinicians about neonatal palliative care. The perspectives of 39 study participants informed the identification of institutional, financial, and clinical issues that impact the implementation of neonatal palliative care services at the medical center and the planning process for a formal palliative care program on behalf of neonates and their families. RESULTS: Healthcare professionals described experiences that influenced their views on neonatal palliative care. Key themes included: (a) uniqueness of neonatal palliative care, (b) communication and conflict among providers, (c) policy and protocol discrepancies, and (d) lack of administrative support. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The present study highlighted several areas that are challenging in the provision of neonatal palliative care. Our findings underscored the importance of recognizing and procuring resources needed simultaneously from the clinical, operational, and financial worlds in order to implement and sustain a successful neonatal palliative care program.

A dialogal investigation of "Who am I as a teacher?".

Women health professionals who join academe reformulate their identities as they become professors and teachers. Teacher inquiry is a systematic intentional study of one's own professional teaching practice that framed the question "Who am I as a teacher?" Using a process of dialogal research, we explored our biases and assumptions about teaching, which served as the source for our data. We discovered that our teaching included being a "judge," "lifelong learner," "bridge to learning," and "researcher," and that our teaching was "affected by temporality" and "the environment." As teachers, we are "someone who works through challenges." We suggest that teacher inquiry can empower allied health educators, change educational practice, and provide meaningful opportunities for the professional development of faculty.

Helping medical school faculty realize their dreams: an innovative, collaborative mentoring program.

Junior faculty wishing to achieve successful careers in academic medicine face many challenges. To facilitate faculty in their career development, the authors implemented and evaluated an innovative collaborative, or peer-group, mentoring program at their medical school. Based on Rogerian and adult learning principles, the program incorporated development of skills in key areas for career development, a structured values-based approach to career planning, and instruction in scholarly writing. The 80-hour program has so far been conducted twice over two academic years (1999-2001) with 18 faculty (50% women). Quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the evaluation. Program attendance was 89%. All participants completed a written academic development plan, an exercise they rated as valuable. They also completed an average of one to three manuscripts for publication. Evaluation data highlighted the critical nature of a supportive learning environment and the reasons participants chose to attend the program consistently. Key meaningful outcomes for most participants were: (1) identification of their core values; (2) a structured process of short- and long-term career planning based on these core values; (3) the development of close, collaborative relationships; (4) development of skills in such areas as gender and power issues, negotiation and conflict management, scholarly writing, and oral presentation, and (5) improved satisfaction linked to participants' decisions to remain in academic medicine. Participants developed a sense of personal transformation and empowerment. The authors conclude that collaborative mentoring offers a new approach to faculty development that addresses limitations of traditional approaches in a satisfying and cost-effective way.