the role of higher education in fostering young professionals’ global competence
This study explores the evaluation of research pathways of self-management health innovations from discovery to implementation in the context of practice-based research. The aim is to understand how a new process model for evaluating practice-based research provides insights into the implementation success of innovations. Data were collected from nine research projects in the Netherlands. Through document analysis and semi-structured interviews, we analysed how the projects start, evolve, and contribute to the healthcare practice. Building on previous research evaluation approaches to monitor knowledge utilization, we developed a Research Pathway Model. The model’s process character enables us to include and evaluate the incremental work required throughout the lifespan of an innovation project and it helps to foreground that innovation continues during implementation in real-life settings. We found that in each research project, pathways are followed that include activities to explore a new solution, deliver a prototype and contribute to theory. Only three projects explored the solution in real life and included activities to create the necessary changes for the solutions to be adopted. These three projects were associated with successful implementation. The exploration of the solution in a real-life environment in which users test a prototype in their own context seems to be a necessary research activity for the successful implementation of self-management health innovations.
MULTIFILE
Background: Being able to care for and cope with one’s stoma adequately may significantly impact patient’s wellbeing. A well-designed mobile application (app) may improve and solve some of the difficulties patients encounter. This study aims to gain a better understanding of the problems patients face in ostomy care and to determine how to improve these problems by an app. Method: A qualitative study using six focus group interviews was conducted between March and April 2020. Patients with a stoma, representatives of patient associations and stoma-related healthcare providers participated to provide insights. A thematic content analysis method was used to analyse the transcripts. Results: Participants indicated that perioperative information could be improved, information should be applicable for all patients and the amount of stoma materials to be overwhelming. Moreover, the contact with fellow peers could be utilised more and it was unclear which healthcare provider should be contacted. All participants expected an app would be beneficial. The app should provide reliable and up-to-date information which is presented in a visually attractive manner, and facilitate peer contact in which patients can support each other. Conclusion: Adequate self-care and coping is essential for patients’ quality of life. A personalised, mobile app may be promising to overcome some of the problems related to adequate self-provision of stoma care at home, improving self-efficacy and overall well-being.
