Exercising the Mind: A Review of Stretching Exercises for Qualitative Researchers

In this third version of Stretching Exercises for Qualitative Researchers, Janesick (2011) continues to refine and expand upon ways in which qualitative researchers-both new to the field and experienced-can extend and hone a number of skills essential to being an effective researcher. This book will be helpful to those wishing to learn more about and practice the art of qualitative research. Janesick combines valuable information and practical exercises in this text, which will assist in the development of skills essential to qualitative research, including interviewing, observing, journaling, narrating, analyzing, interpreting, and collaborating. This new edition includes a discussion on using technology in qualitative research and interviewing, new exercises, and additional discussion on data analysis and interpretation

A Review of Qualitative Research: Studying How Things Work

Qualitative Research: Studying How Things Work by Robert E. Stake reviews the processes, procedures, concepts, and assumptions of qualitative research in a way that encourages the reader to consider multiple elements of the design, implementation, and reporting of a study. This book is appropriate for a wide range of qualitative and mixed-methods researchers, including those who are just beginning and those who have moved beyond the basics and are working on their own studies. Stake\u27s clear and conversational style makes this book easy to understand and apply to one\u27s own work, but the text will challenge readers to take their reasoning about and understanding of qualitative research beyond an introductory level

The history and evolution of the clinical effectiveness of haemophilia type a treatment: a systematic review.

First evidence of cases of haemophilia dates from ancient Egypt, but it was when Queen Victoria from England in the 19th century transmitted this illness to her descendants, when it became known as the "royal disease". Last decades of the 20th century account for major discoveries that improved the life expectancy and quality of life of these patients. The history and evolution of haemophilia healthcare counts ups and downs. The introduction of prophylactic schemes during the 1970s have proved to be more effective that the classic on-demand replacement of clotting factors, nevertheless many patients managed with frequent plasma transfusions or derived products became infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C virus during the 1980s and 1990s. Recombinant factor VIII inception has decreased the risk of blood borne infections and restored back longer life expectancies. Main concerns for haemophilia healthcare are shifting from the pure clinical aspects to the economic considerations of long-term replacement therapy. Nowadays researchers' attention has been placed on the future costs and cost-effectiveness of costly long-term treatment. Equity considerations are relevant as well, and alternative options for less affluent countries are under the scope of further research. The aim of this review was to assess the evidence of different treatment options for haemophilia type A over the past four decades, focusing on the most important technological advances that have influenced the natural course of this "royal disease"

Adverse childhood experiences and health outcomes in adulthood: factors contributing to resilience

Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been consistently linked to an increased risk of adult morbidity and mortality, yet little research has been conducted to identify factors that may protect the health of those exposed to ACEs, thus contributing to resiliency in those exposed to significant ACEs. Objective: Utilizing data from a population-based survey of adult residents of a county in Southwestern Pennsylvania, this study examines the effects that socioeconomic status and social and emotional support may have in protecting adult health following exposure to ACEs. Methods: Data collected in the 2009-2010 Allegheny County Health Survey was used to identify adults who had experienced great childhood adversity (defined as those reporting ACE score of 5 or higher to examine the most severe cases) and divide them based on their health outcomes. ACE score was measured using a six-item instrument adapted from a larger instrument measuring adversity. Socioeconomic status was measured by combining annual household income and educational attainment. Level of social and emotional support was gathered through a series of questions inquiring about availability of types of support. Chi-square and T-test were used to compare demographic make-up of those with significant childhood adversity and those with little to no childhood adversity. Logistic Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between SES and social and emotional support on health outcomes. Results: Of the 5,442 people interviewed between August 2009 and September 2010, 735 (13.5%) reported ACE score of 5 or more. Several differences were noted in those who reported high ACE scores: they were more likely to be younger, female, African American, and have lower SES. They were also more likely to be unhealthy. However, those reporting high ACEs with medium to high SES tended to have better health outcomes than those reporting high ACEs with low SES (O.R.=1.811, p<.0001). Social and emotional support was also associated with better overall health, especially for those in the high ACE group (O.R.=1.057 p=0.0377). Conclusions: ACEs are associated with poorer health outcomes in adults, and about 13% of Allegheny County residents have experienced 5 ACEs or more. Socioeconomic status may increase resilience due to broadening opportunities and resources for the individuals. Higher levels of perceived social support are associated with better health outcomes for those who have experienced great adversity; perhaps because those with high ACEs have less developed internal resources for coping, therefore the benefits of social support become more pronounced for those who have experienced significant adversity. Identifying factors associated with resilience in individuals who have experienced childhood adversity is relevant to the field of public health in that it would help service providers and other professionals to better understand the relationship between ACEs and health, and direct public health professionals to areas of intervention for those who have experienced ACEs and are thus at heightened risk for negative adult health outcomes

Preseason Functional Movement Screen Component Tests Predict Severe Contact Injuries in Professional Rugby Union Players.

Tee, JC, Klingbiel, JFG, Collins, R, Lambert, MI, and Coopoo, Y. Preseason Functional Movement Screen component tests predict severe contact injuries in professional rugby union players. J Strength Cond Res 30(11): 3194-3203, 2016-Rugby union is a collision sport with a relatively high risk of injury. The ability of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) or its component tests to predict the occurrence of severe (≥28 days) injuries in professional players was assessed. Ninety FMS test observations from 62 players across 4 different time periods were compared with severe injuries sustained during 6 months after FMS testing. Mean composite FMS scores were significantly lower in players who sustained severe injury (injured 13.2 ± 1.5 vs. noninjured 14.5 ± 1.4, Effect Size = 0.83, large) because of differences in in-line lunge (ILL) and active straight leg raise scores (ASLR). Receiver-operated characteristic curves and 2 × 2 contingency tables were used to determine that ASLR (cut-off 2/3) was the injury predictor with the greatest sensitivity (0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.79-1.0). Adding the ILL in combination with ASLR (ILL + ASLR) improved the specificity of the injury prediction model (ASLR specificity = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.18-0.43 vs. ASLR + ILL specificity = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.39-0.66, p ≤ 0.05). Further analysis was performed to determine whether FMS tests could predict contact and noncontact injuries. The FMS composite score and various combinations of component tests (deep squat [DS] + ILL, ILL + ASLR, and DS + ILL + ASLR) were all significant predictors of contact injury. The FMS composite score also predicted noncontact injury, but no component test or combination thereof produced a similar result. These findings indicate that low scores on various FMS component tests are risk factors for injury in professional rugby players

Bedaquiline for the Treatment of Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis in the United States.

BACKGROUND: In 2012, the Food and Drug Administration approved use of bedaquiline fumarate as part of combination therapy for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB). We describe treatment outcomes, safety, and tolerability of bedaquiline in our case series. METHODS: Data on patients started on bedaquiline for MDR TB between September 2012 and August 2016 were collected retrospectively through 4 TB programs using a standardized abstraction tool. Data were analyzed using univariate methods. Adverse events were graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. RESULTS: Of 14 patients, 7 (50%) had MDR, 4 (29%) had pre-extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and 3 (21%) had XDR TB. All had pulmonary TB, 5 (36%) had pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, and 9/13 (69%) were smear positive. One patient (7%) had HIV coinfection, 5 (36%) had diabetes mellitus, and 5/14 (36%) had previous treatment TB. All patients were non-US-born and 5/14 (36%) had private insurance. All patients achieved sputum culture conversion within a mean of 71 days (26-116); 5 after starting bedaquiline. Twelve (86%) completed treatment and 1 (7%) moved out of the country. One patient (7%) had QTc prolongation &gt;500 milliseconds and died 20 months after discontinuing bedaquiline of a cause not attributable to the drug. Common adverse events were peripheral neuropathy 7/14 (50%), not customarily associated with bedaquiline use, and QTc prolongation 6/14 (43%). CONCLUSIONS: Of 14 patients, 1 (7%) had an adverse event necessitating bedaquiline discontinuation. Safety, culture conversion, and treatment completion in this series (7%) support use of bedaquiline for the treatment of MDR/XDR TB

Cost-analysis of different management policies for patients with mild hepatitis A virus infection in Kazakhstan

OBJECTIVE: For patients with mild hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, this study compared estimates of total costs associated with managing cases under a policy of mandatory hospitalization in the Republic of Kazakhstan and estimates of total costs associated with managing cases in outpatient settings. Costs were estimated both from the perspective of the Ministry of Health and from a broader societal perspective. METHODS: Data were collected by using a standardized structured questionnaire. For cases of mild HAV infection, medical records were obtained from 200 patients managed by hospitalization and from 251 patients managed in an outpatient setting. Personal interviews were also conducted to collect information on productivity losses and out-of-pocket expenses. RESULTS: Nationally, we estimated about 21,600 cases of mild HAV infection annually. The mean annual treatment costs in hospital for mild HAV infection was estimated at US$3.39 million (2001 US$) (95% confidence interval [CI] = [US$3.26 million – US$3.52 million]). The total annual mild HAV infection cost to the society, including direct medical and nonmedical costs and productivity losses due to 721,440 lost work days, was estimated at US$6.26 million (95$6.05 million – US$6.47 million]). In sensitivity analyses, the total annual cost of mild HAV infection ranged from US$4.37 million to US$24.66 million. The survey results showed that a relatively minor change in the current policy of mandatory hospitalization could result in an estimated total annual savings of US$4.62 million (2001 US$) in Kazakhstan. CONCLUSION: Adoption of an outpatient management policy for cases of mild HAV infection would generate substantial cost savings to the Ministry of Health and society

Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b Carriage, Central Asia

A study of children was conducted in 3 Central Asian Republics. Approximately half of the Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were serotypes included in available vaccine formulations. Approximately 6% of children carried Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Using pneumococcal and Hib conjugate vaccines may decrease illness in the Central Asian Republics