Peer health champions have been suggested as an important component of multilevel workplace interventions to promote healthy behaviours such as physical activity (PA). There is accumulating quantitative evidence of their effectiveness but as yet little exploration of why and how champions influence peer behaviour. The current study explores the role of peer physical activity champions (PPACs) in influencing colleagues' PA behaviour from the perspectives of both champions and colleagues.Seven months after the introduction of a workplace PA programme in 17 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), two focus groups were held with PPACs and four with programme participants. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.Three overarching themes were developed: how PPACs encourage PA, valuable PPAC characteristics and sustaining motivation for the PPAC role. Both direct encouragement from PPACs and facilitation of wider PA supportive social networks within the workplace encouraged behaviour change. PA behaviour change is a delicate subject and it was important that PPACs provided enthusiastic and persistent encouragement without seeming judgemental. Being a PA role model was also a valuable characteristic. The PPACs found it satisfying to see positive changes in their colleagues who had become more active. However, colleagues often did not engage in suggested activities and PPACs required resilience to maintain personal motivation for the role despite this.Incorporating PPACs into SME-based PA interventions is acceptable to employees. It is recommended that PPAC training includes suggestions for facilitating social connections between colleagues. Sensitivity is required when initiating and engaging in conversations with colleagues about increasing their PA. Programmes should ensure PPACs themselves are provided with social support, especially from others in the same role, to help sustain motivation for their role. These findings will be useful to health-promotion professionals developing workplace health programmes.
Workplaces have potential as a setting for physical activity promotion but evidence of the effectiveness of intervention programmes in small and medium sized enterprises is limited. This paper reports the impact of an intervention which trained existing employees to promote physical activity to their colleagues.Eighty-nine previously low-active employees from 17 small and medium sized organisations participated.A mixed methods evaluation design was used. Quantitative data were collected at baseline and 6 months later using an online questionnaire. Qualitative data from a series of 6 focus groups were analysed.Repeated measures t-tests showed significant increases over time in physical activity, general health rating, satisfaction with life and positive mood states. There were significant decreases in body mass index (BMI), perceived stress, negative mood states and presenteeism. There was no change in absenteeism. Analysis of focus group data provided further insight into the impact of the intervention. Five major themes emerged: awareness of physical activity; sustaining physical activity behaviour change; improved health and well-being; enhanced social networks; and embedding physical activity in the workplace culture.This study shows it is feasible and effective to train employees in small and medium sized enterprises to support their colleagues in physical activity behaviour change.
This chapter is concerned with effective teaching in higher education in the broader sense of teaching, learning and assessment. The chapter begins with a discussion of these overlapping domains and the possible distinctions between 'good' teaching and 'effective' teaching. It presents a hierarchical model of methods, their underlying structures, the skills required and the styles of teaching. It then uses this framework to consider some of the key research and developments in teaching, learning and assessment, including research supervision, work-based learning and online learning. The chapter points to the relative lack of empirical research on effective teaching in the past decade. It then considers the spheres of influence upon teachers and students and how these may lead to different perspectives on effectiveness. The chapter ends with a discussion of the notion of effectiveness. It argues that what counts as effective teaching is shaped by espoused values and values in action of the writer. It offers some suggestions for policy makers and others to consider when framing their notions of effective teaching.
Purpose Canadian long-haul truck drivers lead sedentary lives, but are receptive to receiving physical activity information to address health risks. This study examined how Canadian long-haul truck drivers would like to receive physical activity information in order to improve their overall health. The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) explore barriers Canadian long-haul truck drivers have to receiving and using physical activity information and 2) understand how physical activity information should be structured and delivered to these drivers to overcome these barriers. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 Canadian long-haul truck drivers. Drivers had, on average, 14.3 years of professional long-haul driving experience. Findings Few drivers had received any physical activity information. Drivers discussed a culture where they perceived both employers and drivers to be lacking awareness of the importance of physical activity and its impact on health. Drivers explained they were too busy, stressed or tired to be active or to learn about physical activity. Information received by some drivers on this topic was too general to be helpful in changing physical activity behaviours. Drivers mentioned that personalized and accessible physical activity information should be provided to them through multiple methods by their employers, as an aspect of occupational health and safety. Practical implications Future physical activity information strategies should use both passive and interactive mediums to promote physical activity to Canadian long-haul truck drivers. Originality/value This is the first study to assess how Canadian long-haul truck drivers would like to receive trustworthy information that can lead to healthful improvements in physical activity behaviour.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is one of the most common diseases of childhood causing pain, swelling of joints and reduced mobility. Previous research has focused on the challenges and psychosocial impact of JIA, but there has been limited attention given to how young people adjust and adapt to living with a long-term condition such as JIA. The aim of this qualitative study was therefore to explore adolescents' experiences of living with JIA, with particular focus on the process of adjustment.Ten adolescents (7 female, 3 male) aged 13-17 years with good treatment adherence were recruited from an adolescent arthritis clinic. In-depth interviews were conducted, and data were analysed by two researchers independently using interpretative phenomenological analysis.These adolescents described the physical and psychosocial 'burden of living with JIA' and the challenges faced by an underlying preoccupation 'to be a normal teenager'. However, their accounts also revealed ways in which they regained agency and developed 'resilience through taking control' over their lives. This resilience helped the adolescents re-establish a sense of well-being through an ongoing process of 'acceptance and self-growth'.Although much research has adopted a deficit model that focuses on adjustment problems, the current study highlights the resourcefulness of young people in managing the challenges of living with a long-term condition. These experiences of successful adjustment can be used as the basis of positive, strength-based intervention approaches for adolescents with arthritis to enhance resilience and well-being.
A study over a 2-week period was undertaken to determine what the delivery success rate was for letters given to a patient in the accident and emergency department for delivery to that patient9s general practitioner. This was found to be 60% at 2 weeks, rising to 71% at 4 weeks. The only statistically significant factor affecting this success rate was the age of the patient. The importance of the delivery of these letters is emphasized.
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to assist dental researchers to develop their expertise in qualitative research. It sketches the key characteristics of qualitative research; summarises theoretical perspectives; outlines the core skills of qualitative data collection and the procedures which underlie three methods of qualitative research: interviewing, focus groups and concept maps. The paper offers some guidance on writing qualitative research and provides examples of qualitative research drawn from dentistry and dental education.
