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- Falk Erhag, Hanna, et al.
(author)
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A Multidisciplinary Approach to Capability in Age and Ageing
- 2022
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Book (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This open access book provides insight on how to interpret capability in ageing – one’s individual ability to perform actions in order to reach goals one has reason to value – from a multidisciplinary approach. With for the first time in history there being more people in the world aged 60 years and over than there are children below the age of 5, the book describes this demographic trends as well as the large global challenges and important societal implications this will have such as a worldwide increase in the number of persons affected with dementia, and in the ratio of retired persons to those still in the labor market. Through contributions from many different research areas, it discussed how capability depends on interactions between the individual (e.g. health, genetics, personality, intellectual capacity), environment (e.g. family, friends, home, work place), and society (e.g. political decisions, ageism, historical period). The final chapter by the editors summarizes the differences and similarities in these contributions. As such this book provides an interesting read for students, teachers and researchers at different levels and from different fields interested in capability and multidisciplinary research.
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2. |
- Falk Erhag, Hanna, et al.
(author)
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Introduction
- 2022
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In: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Capability in Age and Ageing. - Cham : Springer. - 9783030780654
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In 2020, for the first time in history, there were more people in the world aged 60 years and over than there were children below the age of 5 years. The population aged over 65 years is projected to increase from one billion in 2019 to more than two billion in 2050, and those aged over 80 years are projected to increase from 143 to 426 million, with the largest increase occurring in the developing world (UN World Population Prospects, 2019). This demographic trend constitutes the largest global health challenge, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The European Union has set it as one of the major challenges in Horizon 2020 and it has important societal implications (European Commission, 2020). The proportion of retired individuals will increase, leading to an increased ratio between those who have exited the workforce and those still active in the labour market. Thus, ageing represents a global societal and scientific challenge requiring integrated efforts, multidisciplinary translational research approaches and social innovations that build on ideas of potentials and capabilities, emphasising the value of old age.
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3. |
- Girma Kebede, Betlehem, et al.
(author)
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Communicative challenges among physicians, patients, and family caregivers in cancer care: An exploratory qualitative study in Ethiopia
- 2020
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In: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 15:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Cancer is a growing concern in Ethiopia. Though communication is essential for the treatment process, few studies have looked at communication in Ethiopian cancer care. Due to the large number of patients and scarcity of resources, it is vital to understand how to manage consultations in order to effectively help as many patients as possible in this challenging work environment. Thus, research is needed to analyze and understand the communicative challenges experienced by physicians, patients, and family caregivers, in order to successfully handle patient care in practice. Objective We explore communication in Ethiopian cancer care and present the main challenges faced by physicians, patients, and family caregivers. Methods This explorative qualitative study was conducted at the Oncology Department of the Tikur Anbessa (Black Lion) Specialized Teaching Hospital (TASH) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A triangulation of data collection methods was used: 91 audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews and 21 video-recordings of authentic interactions during hospital rounds. The aim was to obtain as complete a picture as possible of communication from the perspectives of physicians, patients, and family caregivers. The interviews were analyzed using thematic content analysis and the identified themes were supported by excerpts from the transcribed recordings. Results Eight themes emerged from the data. Workload and time pressure, in combination with restricted space for privacy, limited the possibilities for physicians to deliver detailed information and provide emotional support. Furthermore, patient literacy levels, in combination with no or little cancer awareness, financial problems, reliance on traditional and religious treatments, the stigma of cancer, and a fatalistic attitude, resulted in delays in patients seeking care and participating in positive health behaviors, and, subsequently, often resulted in an unwillingness to openly discuss problems with physicians and adhere to treatment. The study also illustrates the paramount role of family in physician-patient communication in Ethiopia. Though family caregivers provide a valuable interpreting support when patients have limited language skills, they can also prevent patients from sharing information with physicians. Another important finding is that family caregivers were often responsible for making decisions about treatment and avoided telling patients about a poor prognosis, believing that conveying bad news may upset them. All of these themes have important implications for the role of ethically acceptable communication in patient-centered care. Conclusions This study has identified a number of serious challenges for successful and ethically acceptable health communication in Ethiopian cancer care. The study contributes to our understanding of the complexity around the role of family, combined with patients’ dependency on family members for communication, support, and access to care, which creates particular ethical dilemmas for the medical staff. The questions raised by this study concern how to organize consultations to achieve patient-centered health communication, while maintaining a constructive alliance with the family and not jeopardizing the patient’s continued access to care. The integration of communication training for medical students in Ethiopia, with a focus on ethical guidelines for family-centered patient consultation suitable for these circumstances, would be an essential step.
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4. |
- Finnbogadottir, Hafrún, et al.
(author)
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Risk for partners' depression and anxiety during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum : A longitudinal cohort study
- 2022
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In: European Journal of Midwifery. - : European Publishing. - 2585-2906. ; 6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION Families may benefit from increased focus on partner emotional well-being during pregnancy and the perinatal period. Our aim was to explore the risk for depression and anxiety during pregnancy and one year postpartum in relation to partners' self-reported health, sense of coherence, social support, and lifestyle factors. METHODS This is a longitudinal cohort study using three questionnaires that were answered twice during pregnancy and at one year postpartum. Participants (n=532) were recruited between April 2012 and September 2013, and follow-up was between April 2012 and March 2015, in Sweden.RESULTS In late pregnancy, 8.9% of the prospective partners were at high risk for depression and 8.3% one year postpartum. An increased risk for depression was found amongst those reporting 'fair or very poor' sexual satisfaction and those reporting 'fair or very poor' health during pregnancy and postpartum. High anxiety was reported by 10.8% during late pregnancy and 12.4% one year postpartum. Partners who were unemployed, had financial difficulties, and who scored low on a Sense of Coherence scale, showed significantly higher anxiety in late pregnancy and postpartum. Social support has a significant and positive impact concerning signs of depression and anxiety, both during pregnancy and postpartum. CONCLUSIONS More than 10% of partners in this study showed depressive symptoms and anxiety, indicating a problem in need of attention by stakeholders. Strengthening social support is of greatest importance. It is time for the introduction of family-focused care aimed at prevention of depression and anxiety, and maintenance of family well- being.
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5. |
- Berbyuk Lindström, Nataliya, 1978, et al.
(author)
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Person- and Family-Centeredness in Ethiopian Cancer Care: Improving Communication, Ethics, Decision Making and Health
- 2020
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In: JMIR Research Protocols. - : JMIR Publications Inc.. - 1929-0748. ; 9:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Cancer is a major burden in Ethiopia. The Oncology Department of Tikur Anbessa (Black Lion) Specialized Hospital (TASH) in Addis Ababa is the country's sole specialist unit for cancer care. With only a handful of oncologists, a lack of resources, and a huge patient load, the work is challenging, especially in terms of achieving effective and ethical patient consultations. Patients, usually accompanied by family members, often wait for a long time to receive medical attention and frequently depart without treatment. Handling consultations effectively is essential in order to help patients as much as possible within such limitations. OBJECTIVE: The project addresses three main aims: (1) to enhance and expand the understanding of communicative and associated ethical challenges in Ethiopian cancer care; (2) to enhance and expand the understanding of the implications and use of person- and family-centered solutions to address such communicative challenges in practice, and (3) to plan and evaluate interventions in this area. METHODS: This project develops and consolidates a research collaboration to better understand and mitigate the communicative challenges in Ethiopian cancer care, with a focus on the handling and sharing of decision making, and ethical tensions between patients, staff, and family. Using theoretical models from linguistics, health communication, and health care ethics, multiple sources of data will be analyzed. Data sources currently include semi-structured interviews with the Ethiopian staff, patients, and family caregivers (91), survey data on cancer awareness (150) and attitudes to breaking bad news (450), and video-recordings of medical consultations (45). In addition, we will also develop clinical and methodological solutions to formulate educational interventions. RESULTS: The project was awarded funding by the Swedish Research Council in December 2017 for the period 2018-2021. The research ethics board in Sweden and in Ethiopia approved the conduct of the project in May 2018. The results from the studies will be published in 2020 and 2021. CONCLUSIONS: The project is a first step towards producing unique and seminal knowledge for the specific context of Ethiopia in the area of physician-patient communication research and ethics. It contributes to an understanding of the complexity around the role of family and ethical challenges in relation to patient involvement and decision making in Ethiopia. Improved knowledge in this area can provide a fundamental model for ways to improve cancer care in many other low resource settings in Africa and the Middle East, which share central cultural prerequisites (such as a strong patriarchal family structure, combined with strong and devout religiosity). The project will also serve to develop greater understanding about current challenges in Western health systems associated with greater family and patient participation in decision making. In addition, the project will also contribute to improving the education of Ethiopian health professionals working in cancer care by developing a training program to help them better understand and respond to identified challenges associated with communication.
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6. |
- Sjöblom, Margareta, et al.
(author)
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From 9 to 91 : health promotion through the life-course—illuminating the inner child
- 2021
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In: Health Promotion International. - : Oxford University Press. - 0957-4824 .- 1460-2245. ; 36:4, s. 1062-1071
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A life-course perspective is according to the World Health Organization about increasing the effectiveness of health promotion interventions at all ages. This targets the needs of human beings throughout their life. Descriptions of the phenomenon of the inner child invite the possibility that it may be of help when promoting health throughout the life-course. The aim was to describe and understand schoolchildren's, adults and older person's experiences of childhood in connection to health and well-being in the present and through the life-course, illuminating the inner child. The research strategy used was a secondary analysis of the original transcribed data from three Swedish studies investigating new questions. In total, 53 individuals aged 9-91, 20 school children, 20 adults and 13 older persons were interviewed about childhood experiences. The schoolchildren were invited to create a drawing, and to narrate about it during the interview. The main question in the secondary analysis was 'How do the participants' narrations about childhood experiences illuminate the inner child, useful for health promotion through the life-course?' The findings showed the importance of a secure atmosphere and trusting relationships, indicating that experiences during childhood can help us to adapt and pass along life lessons across generations. There were narratives about play as an activity where they learned to promote a healthy childhood, struggle for independence and learning how to be responsible when growing up. Dimensions of mental, social and existential well-being can be seen as examples of the inner child's role in health promotion through the life-course.
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7. |
- Sjöblom, Margareta, et al.
(author)
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Schoolchildren’s play : A tool for health education
- 2020
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In: Health Education Journal. - : Sage Publications. - 0017-8969 .- 1748-8176. ; 79:1, s. 21-33
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The purpose of this study was to gain more knowledge about the phenomenon of the inner child in relation to health and well-being as reflected in play experienced by schoolchildren. Design/method: Participants were 20 schoolchildren recruited from a primary school in a medium-size city in central Sweden. The children who agreed to participate were 14 girls and 6 boys aged between 9 and 10 years old in grade 3. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to analyse the data consisting of the schoolchildren’s drawings and transcribed interviews. Participants’ verbal reflections on their drawings enabled deeper insight into their lived experiences of play. Results: Findings from this study demonstrate how schoolchildren are influenced by the inner child in childhood to handle conflicts, to cope, to make choices, to build relationships to connect and to dream about the future. The schoolchildren in this study developed their coping skills in conflict situations as part of friendship making. Conclusion: The value play offers for health and well-being reveals how schoolchildren are influenced by the inner child in childhood. Gaining knowledge from schoolchildren’s own voices about play makes a worthwhile contribution to research. In addition, the value play provides to schoolchildren’s health and well-being suggest that play can be an important tool as part of health education.
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8. |
- Kirvalidze, Mariam, et al.
(author)
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Effectiveness of integrated person-centered interventions for older people's care : Review of Swedish experiences and experts' perspective
- 2024
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In: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0954-6820 .- 1365-2796.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Older adults have multiple medical and social care needs, requiring a shift toward an integrated person-centered model of care. Our objective was to describe and summarize Swedish experiences of integrated person-centered care by reviewing studies published between 2000 and 2023, and to identify the main challenges and scientific gaps through expert discussions. Seventy-three publications were identified by searching MEDLINE and contacting experts. Interventions were categorized using two World Health Organization frameworks: (1) Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE), and (2) Integrated People-Centered Health Services (IPCHS). The included 73 publications were derived from 31 unique and heterogeneous interventions pertaining mainly to the micro- and meso-levels. Among publications measuring mortality, 15% were effective. Subjective health outcomes showed improvement in 24% of publications, morbidity outcomes in 42%, disability outcomes in 48%, and service utilization outcomes in 58%. Workshop discussions in Stockholm (Sweden), March 2023, were recorded, transcribed, and summarized. Experts emphasized: (1) lack of rigorous evaluation methods, (2) need for participatory designs, (3) scarcity of macro-level interventions, and (4) importance of transitioning from person- to people-centered integrated care. These challenges could explain the unexpected weak beneficial effects of the interventions on health outcomes, whereas service utilization outcomes were more positively impacted. Finally, we derived a list of recommendations, including the need to engage care organizations in interventions from their inception and to leverage researchers' scientific expertise. Although this review provides a comprehensive snapshot of interventions in the context of Sweden, the findings offer transferable perspectives on the real-world challenges encountered in this field. image
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9. |
- Rexhepi, Hanife, 1984-, et al.
(author)
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Online electronic healthcare records : Comparing the views of cancer patients and others
- 2020
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In: Health Informatics Journal. - : Sage Publications. - 1460-4582 .- 1741-2811. ; 26:4, s. 2915-2929
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study investigates differences in attitudes towards, and experiences with, online electronic health records between cancer patients and patients with other conditions, highlighting what is characteristic to cancer patients. A national patient survey on online access to electronic health records was conducted, where cancer patients were compared with all other respondents. Overall, 2587 patients completed the survey (response rate 0.61%). A total of 347 respondents (13.4%) indicated that they suffered from cancer. Results showed that cancer patients are less likely than other patients to use online electronic health records due to general interest (p < 0.001), but more likely for getting an overview of their health history (p = 0.001) and to prepare for visits (p < 0.001). Moreover, cancer patients rate benefits of accessing their electronic health records online higher than other patients and see larger positive effects regarding improved communication with and involvement in healthcare.
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10. |
- Grynne, A., et al.
(author)
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Women's experience of the health information process involving a digital information tool before commencing radiation therapy for breast cancer : a deductive interview study
- 2023
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In: BMC Health Services Research. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1472-6963. ; 23:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Individuals undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer frequently request information before, throughout and after the treatment as a means to reduce distress. Nevertheless, the provision of information to meet individuals needs from their level of health literacy is often overlooked. Thus, individuals information needs are often unmet, leading to reports of discontent. Internet and digital information technology has significantly augmented the available information and changed the way in which persons accesses and comprehends information. As health information is no longer explicitly obtained from healthcare professionals, it is essential to examine the sequences of the health information process in general, and in relation to health literacy. This paper reports on qualitative interviews, targeting women diagnosed with breast cancer who were given access to a health information technology tool, Digi-Do, before commencing radiation therapy, during, and after treatment. METHODS: A qualitative research design, inspired by the integrated health literacy model, was chosen to enable critical reflection by the participating women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 women with access to a digital information tool, named Digi-Do, in addition to receiving standard information (oral and written) before commencing radiation therapy, during, and after treatment. A deductive thematic analysis process was conducted. RESULTS: The results demonstrate how knowledge, competence, and motivation influence women's experience of the health information process. Three main themes were found: Meeting interactive and personal needs by engaging with health information; Critical recognition of sources of information; and Capability to communicate comprehended health information. The findings reflect the women's experience of the four competencies: to access, understand, appraise, and apply, essential elements of the health information process. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that there is a need for tailored digital information tools, such as the Digi-Do, to enable iterative access and use of reliable health information before, during and after the radiation therapy process. The Digi-Do can be seen as a valuable complement to the interpersonal communication with health care professionals, facilitating a better understanding, and enabling iterative access and use of reliable health information before, during and after the radiotherapy treatment. This enhances a sense of preparedness before treatment starts.
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