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1 – 10 of 155Husayn Marani, Brenda Roche, Laura Anderson, Minnie Rai, Payal Agarwal and Danielle Martin
This descriptive qualitative study explores how working conditions impact the health of taxi drivers in Toronto, Canada.
Abstract
Purpose
This descriptive qualitative study explores how working conditions impact the health of taxi drivers in Toronto, Canada.
Design/methodology/approach
Drivers were recruited between September 2016 and March 2017. A total of 14 semi-structured qualitative interviews and one focus group (n = 11) were conducted. Transcripts were analyzed inductively through a socioecological lens.
Findings
The findings of this study are as follows: drivers acknowledged that job precariousness (represented by unstable employment, long hours and low wages) and challenging workplace conditions (sitting all day and limited breaks) contribute to poor physical/mental health. Also, these conditions undermine opportunities to engage in health-protective behaviors (healthy eating, regularly exercising and taking breaks). Drivers do not receive health-enabling reinforcements from religious/cultural networks, colleagues or their taxi brokerage. Drivers do seek support from their primary care providers and family for their physical health but remain discreet about their mental health.
Research limitations/implications
As this study relied on a convenience sample, the sample did not represent all Toronto taxi drivers. All interviews were completed in English and all drivers were male, thus limiting commentary on other experiences and any gender differences in health management approaches among drivers.
Practical implications
Given the global ubiquity of taxi driving and an evolving workplace environment characterized by growing competition, findings are generalizable across settings and may resonate with other precarious professions, including long-haul truck operators and Uber/Lyft drivers. Findings also expose areas for targeted intervention outside the workplace setting.
Originality/value
Health management among taxi drivers is understudied. A fulsome, socioecological understanding of how working conditions (both within and outside the workplace) impact their health is essential in developing targeted interventions to improve health outcomes.
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Husayn Marani, Jenna M. Evans, Karen S. Palmer, Adalsteinn Brown, Danielle Martin and Noah M. Ivers
This paper examines how “quality” was framed in the design and implementation of a policy to reform hospital funding and associated care delivery. The aims of the study were: (1…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines how “quality” was framed in the design and implementation of a policy to reform hospital funding and associated care delivery. The aims of the study were: (1) To describe how government policy-makers who designed the policy and managers and clinicians who implemented the policy framed the concept of “quality” and (2) To explore how frames of quality and the framing process may have influenced policy implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a secondary analysis of data from a qualitative case study involving semi-structured interviews with 45 purposefully selected key informants involved in the design and implementation of the quality-based procedures policy in Ontario, Canada. The authors used framing theory to inform coding and analysis.
Findings
The authors found that policy designers perpetuated a broader frame of quality than implementers who held more narrow frames of quality. Frame divergence was further characterized by how informants framed the relationship between clinical and financial domains of quality. Several environmental and organizational factors influenced how quality was framed by implementers.
Originality/value
As health systems around the world increasingly implement new models of governance and financing to strengthen quality of care, there is a need to consider how “quality” is framed in the context of these policies and with what effect. This is the first framing analysis of “quality” in health policy.
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Rebecca Reece, Isabelle Bray, Danielle Sinnett, Robert Hayward and Faith Martin
There is a mental health crisis, particularly among young people. Despite many young people living in urban settings, reviews about the association between exposure to green or…
Abstract
Purpose
There is a mental health crisis, particularly among young people. Despite many young people living in urban settings, reviews about the association between exposure to green or natural environments and mental health tend to focus on either children or adults. The aim of this review is to examine the scope of the global literature for this age group, to inform a systematic review on the role of exposure to green space in preventing anxiety and depression amongst young people aged 14–24 years.
Design/methodology/approach
Seven databases were searched for quantitative and qualitative sources published from January 2000 to June 2020. This identified 201 sources and their characteristics are described here. Gaps in the literature are also highlighted.
Findings
The number of relevant studies published per year has increased over time. Most studies are set in North America (28%) or Europe (39%). The most common study designs were observational (34%) or experimental (28%). A wide range of exposures and interventions are described.
Research limitations/implications
This review included literature from predominantly high-income countries and has shown the under-representation of low-middle income countries and lack of ethnic diversity in study populations. It has also highlighted the lack of clinical measures of anxiety and depression as outcomes.
Originality/value
This inter-disciplinary review has contributed to the field by describing the geographic distribution of the literature and the broad range of exposures to green spaces being reported. Unlike previous scoping reviews, this review focused specifically on young people and on measures of anxiety and depression and their pre-cursers.
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Nicola Martin, Damian Elgin Maclean Milton, Joanna Krupa, Sally Brett, Kim Bulman, Danielle Callow, Fiona Copeland, Laura Cunningham, Wendy Ellis, Tina Harvey, Monika Moranska, Rebecca Roach and Seanne Wilmot
An alliance of schools and researchers formed a collaborative community of practice in order to understand and improve the sensory school environment for pupils on the autistic…
Abstract
Purpose
An alliance of schools and researchers formed a collaborative community of practice in order to understand and improve the sensory school environment for pupils on the autistic spectrum, and incorporate the findings into school improvement planning. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
Representatives of special and mainstream schools in South London and a team of researchers formed the project team, including an autistic researcher. The researchers and a named staff member from each of the schools met regularly over the course of 18 months in order to work on an iterative process to improve the sensory experience pupils had of the school environment. Each school completed sensory audits and observations, and was visited by members of the research team. Parents were involved via meetings with the research team and two conferences were organised to share findings.
Findings
Useful outcomes included: developing and sharing of good practice between schools; opportunities for parents of autistic pupils to discuss their concerns, particularly with someone with insider perspective; and exploration of creative ways to achieve pupil involvement and the idea that good autism practice has the potential to benefit all pupils. A resource pack was produced for the schools to access. Plans are in place to revisit the initiative in 12 months’ time in order to ascertain whether there have been long-term benefits.
Originality/value
Projects building communities of practice involving autistic people as core team members are rare, yet feedback from those involved in the project showed this to be a key aspect of shared learning.
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Danielle Cobb, Timothy W. Martin, Terrie Vasilopoulos, Erik W. Black and Chris R. Giordano
The purpose of this paper is to discuss a unique leadership curriculum developed at the University of Florida and its impact on the leadership skills and values of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss a unique leadership curriculum developed at the University of Florida and its impact on the leadership skills and values of the anesthesiology residents since its conception. The authors instituted a voluntary anesthesiology residency leadership development program at their institution to fill a perceived gap in leadership training. Mounting evidence reveals that strong clinical leadership skills improve outcomes for patients and health-care institutions. Additionally, this growing body of literature indicates that optimal outcomes result from effective team behaviors and skills, which are directed through the requisite clinical leadership. Unfortunately, adding leadership training into the existing medical education curriculum is a formidable challenge regardless of the level of learner.
Design/methodology/approach
To evaluate learners, the authors used the Aspiring leaders in Healthcare-Empowering individuals, Achieving excellence, Developing talents instrument, which is a validated and reliable assessment of leadership competency in health-care professionals. In 2017, the authors surveyed the past five graduating classes from the department (classes of 2012-2016), using the two graduating classes before the program’s implementation as a historical control group.
Findings
The survey was sent to 96 people, of whom 70 responded (73 per cent). Those participants who usually or always participated in the program responded with higher leadership-readiness skills scores than those who occasionally, rarely or never participated in the program. Notably, those who had participated in another leadership development course at any time had higher skills scores than those who had never participated.
Originality/value
The study’s data provide evidence that residents who either, often or always participated in the leadership development program perceived themselves to be better equipped to become effective health-care leaders as opposed to residents who never, rarely or occasionally participated.
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Danielle Eiseman and Martin Jonsson
This study aims to investigate the potential of the coffee drinking experience as an engagement tool for climate change. Review the current state of the coffee drinking…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the potential of the coffee drinking experience as an engagement tool for climate change. Review the current state of the coffee drinking experience, define it and examine links to climate change communication practices. The argument for the coffee drinking experience as a method for engaging the public on climate change is presented.
Design/methodology
The case study method was used to analyze a small number of existing research on the coffee drinking experience. This method is used to define the coffee drinking experience and identify examples in which it could be leveraged for engaging consumers in climate change.
Findings
The emotive and multi-sensory aspects of the coffee drinking experience, combined with the informal atmosphere of the coffee houses provide a non-threatening environment for discussing complex ideas. This study finds there is scope for further exploration and research on the coffee drinking experience as a tool for public engagement with climate change.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is limited in that it is only an initial exploratory study and has not reached the empirical stage yet. It is further limited to the analysis of secondary data.
Originality
Social science in general and experiential marketing specifically has yet to examine the ability of food or drinking experiences as an engagement tool for climate change.
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Vitor Augusto Martins da Costa and Danielle Carvalho Ribeiro
This paper aims to answer the following question: Is PPP a financially viable alternative for the management of regional airports in Brazil?
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to answer the following question: Is PPP a financially viable alternative for the management of regional airports in Brazil?
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology is based on the case study of the innovative model of Zona da Mata Regional Airport management. It was used Value for Money as a method to compare this case with the conventional airport management alternative.
Findings
It was observed that, when compared to the airport management alternative through contracting third parties, the public–private partnership (PPP) provided a reduction of almost 70% of public spending on the management of this infrastructure. Besides the financial advantage, other benefits of this PPP contract were also observed.
Research limitations/implications
The analyses carried out in this study are not exhaustive and can be improved and remade as the life cycle of the PPP contract studied is progressed.
Practical implications
It was concluded, from the results found, that PPP is an efficient alternative for the management of regional airports in Brazil, and the model can be replicated for similar airports.
Originality/value
When analyzing the results of this innovative project of managing a regional airport through a PPP, this work made it possible to measure the positive impacts of this alternative and demonstrate the potential of the PPP as an alternative for the management of other regional airports in Brazil.
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Danielle A. Morris-O'Connor, Andreas Strotmann and Dangzhi Zhao
To add new empirical knowledge to debates about social practices of peer production communities, and to conversations about bias and its implications for democracy. To help…
Abstract
Purpose
To add new empirical knowledge to debates about social practices of peer production communities, and to conversations about bias and its implications for democracy. To help identify Wikipedia (WP) articles that are affected by systematic bias and hopefully help alleviate the impact of such bias on the general public, thus helping enhance both traditional (e.g. libraries) and online information services (e.g. Google) in ways that contribute to democracy. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned objectives.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitatively, the authors identify edit-warring camps across many conflict zones of the English language WP, and profile and compare success rates and typologies of camp edits in the corresponding topic areas. Qualitatively, the authors analyze the edit war between two senior WP editors that resulted in imbalanced and biased articles throughout a topic area for such editorial characteristics through a close critical reading.
Findings
Through a large-scale quantitative study, the authors find that winner-take-all camps exhibit biasing editing behaviors to a much larger extent than the camps they successfully edit-war against, confirming findings of prior small-scale qualitative studies. The authors also confirm the employment of these behaviors and identify other behaviors in the successful silencing of traditional medicinal knowledge on WP by a scientism-biased senior WP editor through close reading.
Social implications
WP sadly does, as previously claimed, appear to be a platform that represents the biased viewpoints of its most stridently opinionated Western white male editors, and routinely misrepresents scholarly work and scientific consensus, the authors find. WP is therefore in dire need of scholarly oversight and decolonization.
Originality/value
The authors independently verify findings from prior personal accounts of highly power-imbalanced fights of scholars against senior editors on WP through a third-party close reading of a much more power balanced edit war between senior WP editors. The authors confirm that these findings generalize well to edit wars across WP, through a large scale quantitative analysis of unbalanced edit wars across a wide range of zones of contention on WP.
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