The relationship between urban greenspace perception and use within the adolescent population: A focused ethnography

Abstract

Introduction

Greenspace is beneficial for improving adolescent mental health, yet healthcare professionals still do not understand the connection between the built environment and subjective mental well-being. We also need to understand how this population uses greenspace and how they feel when in it.

Aim

The aim of this qualitative study was threefold: to understand why adolescents use greenspace, to identify how they use greenspace and to explore how they feel when they are in greenspace.

Design

Focused ethnography.

Methods

Data were collected between June 2022 and August 2022 using participant observation, photo elicitation and semi-structured interviews. Braun and Clarke's (2006) six phases of thematic analysis were used to guide data collection and analysis.

Results

A total of 11 adolescents between ages 12 and 18 who resided in and around Newark, NJ, were recruited. Three themes were identified from the data: (1) A tranquil space in an unsafe place; (2) Park means family connection with burgeoning independence; and (3) My park: Sense of ownership and responsibility.

Conclusions

This study deepens the understanding between subjective mental well-being and urban greenspace exposure. Adolescents accepted responsibility for maintaining “my park”, which strengthens community cohesion, detailing the importance of youth input during urban planning.

Implications for Practice

Implications from this study suggest that environmental interventions may help ameliorate an ongoing mental health care crisis among adolescents. Healthcare providers should consider the built environment as another approach to promoting mental health.

Patient or Public Contribution

None other than research participants.

Nurses' perceptions of point‐of‐care ultrasound for haemodialysis access assessment and guided cannulation: A qualitative study

Abstract

Aim

To explore nurses' perceptions of using point-of-care ultrasound for assessment and guided cannulation in the haemodialysis setting.

Background

Cannulation of arteriovenous fistulae is necessary to perform haemodialysis. Damage to the arteriovenous fistula is a frequent complication, resulting in poor patient outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Point-of-care ultrasound-guided cannulation can reduce the risk of such damage and mitigate further vessel deterioration. Understanding nurses' perceptions of using this adjunct tool will inform its future implementation into haemodialysis practice.

Design

Descriptive qualitative study.

Methods

Registered nurses were recruited from one 16-chair regional Australian haemodialysis clinic. Eligible nurses were drawn from a larger study investigating the feasibility of implementing point-of-care ultrasound in haemodialysis. Participants attended a semistructured one-on-one interview where they were asked about their experiences with, and perceptions of, point-of-care ultrasound use in haemodialysis cannulation. Audio-recorded data were transcribed and inductively analysed.

Findings

Seven of nine nurses who completed the larger study participated in a semistructured interview. All participants were female with a median age of 54 years (and had postgraduate renal qualifications. Themes identified were as follows: (1) barriers to use of ultrasound; (2) deficit and benefit recognition; (3) cognitive and psychomotor development; and (4) practice makes perfect. Information identified within these themes were that nurses perceived that their experience with point-of-care ultrasound was beneficial but recommended against its use for every cannulation. The more practice nurses had with point-of-care ultrasound, the more their confidence, dexterity and time management improved.

Conclusions

Nurses perceived that using point-of-care ultrasound was a positive adjunct to their cannulation practice and provided beneficial outcomes for patients.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Haemodialysis clinics seeking to implement point-of-care ultrasound to help improve cannulation outcomes may draw on these findings when embarking on this practice change.

Reporting Method

This study is reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients were not directly involved in this part of the study; however, they were involved in the implementation study.

Trial and Protocol Registration

The larger study was registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12617001569392 (21/11/2017) https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=373963&isReview=true

The provision of midwife-led care in low-and middle-income countries: An integrative review

Addressing preventable maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity are major issues globally with low- and lower middle-income countries (LMICS) having the highest rates (Graham et al. 2016; UNFPA, WHO & ICM 2014; WHO, UNICEF & UNFPA 2014). Each day, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth (Alkema et al. 2016). In addition, approximately 2.5 million newborn babies die each year (UN 2018) and a further 2.6 million are stillborn (Lawn et al. 2011). Most deaths are from LMICS which account for 95% of maternal and 90% of all child deaths globally (Boerma et al.