Zoekresultaten

Hamburg Workshop results: MSP Challenge Baltic Sea edition

Design-thinking & Frugality

This full paper works towards merging ‘frugality’ and ‘design thinking’ into a simplified framework for a workshop routine as a stepping stone for SMEs in developed countries to create and capture value of frugal innovations. Innovations which are born out of the notion that we can do more with less, or for less. This framework is aimed at reaching a specific group of SMEs, in this paper called the peloton of SMEs, a large group of SMEs which generally have lower growth ambitions and growth potential in comparison to the frontrunners. This group is often overlooked by (regional) governmental innovation programmes due to a primary focus on the same industry’s frontrunners. The framework was first tested with students, discussed with experts and eventually tested with SMEs from the Agribusiness sector in the Netherlands. Frugal Elements added to the design thinking process are; (a.) a Frugal Lens (b.) Frugal Business Model Patternsfor BMI (c.) Frugal leadership development (d.) Frugal Validation of the solution (e.) Frugal Intervention (limited time, limited theory, vertical learning community, practical tools). Although the first Pilot has been a succes in terms of helping participating SMEs to create innovations, more research is necessary for the design of a final framework which is expected to contribute to the frameworks that are currently available to SMEs in frugal and sustainable business modelling.

Identification of priority health conditions for field-based screening in urban slums in Bangalore, India

Background: Urban slums are characterised by unique challenging living conditions, which increase their inhabitants’ vulnerability to specific health conditions. The identification and prioritization of the key health issues occurring in these settings is essential for the development of programmes that aim to enhance the health of local slum communities effectively. As such, the present study sought to identify and prioritise the key health issues occurring in urban slums, with a focus on the perceptions of health professionals and community workers, in the rapidly growing city of Bangalore, India. Methods: The study followed a two-phased mixed methods design. During Phase I of the study, a total of 60 health conditions belonging to four major categories: - 1) non-communicable diseases; 2) infectious diseases; 3) maternal and women’s reproductive health; and 4) child health - were identified through a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews conducted with health professionals and other relevant stakeholders with experience working with urban slum communities in Bangalore. In Phase II, the health issues were prioritised based on four criteria through a consensus workshop conducted in Bangalore. Results: The top health issues prioritized during the workshop were: diabetes and hypertension (non-communicable diseases category), dengue fever (infectious diseases category), malnutrition and anaemia (child health, and maternal and women’s reproductive health categories). Diarrhoea was also selected as a top priority in children. These health issues were in line with national and international reports that listed them as top causes of mortality and major contributors to the burden of diseases in India. Conclusions: The results of this study will be used to inform the development of technologies and the design of interventions to improve the health outcomes of local communities. Identification of priority health issues in the slums of other regions of India, and in other low and lower middle-income countries, is recommended.

Priorities for the effective implementation of osteoarthritis management programs: an OARSI international consensus exercise

ObjectiveThe Joint Effort Initiative was endorsed by Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) in 2018 as a collaboration between international researchers and clinicians with an interest in the implementation of osteoarthritis management programs (OAMPs). This study aimed to identify and prioritise activities for future work of the Joint Effort Initiative.DesignA survey was emailed to delegates of the 2018 OARSI World Congress attending a pre-conference workshop or with a known interest in OAMPs (n = 115). Delegates were asked about the most important issues regarding OAMP implementation. The top 20 issues were synthesised into 17 action statements, and respondents were invited to participate in a priority ranking exercise to determine the order of importance of the statements.ResultsSurvey respondents (n = 51, 44%) were most commonly female (71%), with an allied health background (57%), affiliated with universities (73%) from Oceania (37%), and Europe/UK (45%). The five highest ranked action statements were:i)Establish guidelines for the implementation of different OAMP models to ensure consistency of delivery and adherence to international best practice.ii)Develop and assess training and education programs for health care professionals (HCPs) delivering OAMPs.iii)Develop and evaluate the implementation and outcomes of novel models of OAMPs.iv)Develop and assess core skill sets and resources for HCPs delivering OA care.v)Develop a framework for enhancing the quality of care provided by OAMPs.ConclusionPrioritising statements will bring focus to the future work of the Joint Effort Initiative in the future and provide a basis for longer-term actions.

Workshop on challenges, opportunities, needs and successes for including human dimensions in integrated ecosystem assessments (WKCONSERVE)

To support the implementation of the Ecosystem Based approach to Management (EBM), ICES strives to provide evidence-based scientific advice and relevant management options that also assess potential trade-offs among sectors or between environmental status and human uses. To help achieve this, the Workshop on Challenges, Opportunities, Needs and Successes in including human dimensions in Integrated Ecosystem Assessments (IEAs) (WKCONSERVE) focused on economic, social, and interdisciplinary research and data needed to inform on the societal drivers and objectives of marine resource use as context for advice. More specifically, the workshop goals were to a) summarize social and economic data, indicators and relevant research done across ICES IEA regions and other IEA regions, b) Identify goals for including social and economic data and analyses in different IEAs, and c) to develop a roadmap for including social and economic data and analyses in IEAs, identifying common needs across groups and unique priorities of each region. Discussion across IEA groups made clear that while great strides have been made in ICES IEA groups to identify and provide important ecological measures relevant to EBM, far less attention has been given to providing comparable economic and social information. WKCONSERVE identified a number of practical steps to take to include more societal measures relevant to EBM. These differ among regions, depending on data availability and ecosystem context, and are detailed in IEA roadmaps developed during the workshop. However, in general, the first step involves including social scientists in the IEA groups. Key topics and data for each IEA region were identified. It was, however, repeatedly noted that more interaction with stakeholders will help both IEA and human dimensions Expert Groups to better develop research and data collection efforts to address stakeholder needs. A lack of funding is a key obstacle to the development of IEAs, both regarding science and advisory products. It is now up to each IEA group to use the developed roadmaps to include the human dimension in IEAs. Furthermore, to support the development of methods for integration, follow-up workshops should be organized on a regular basis (e.g. every other year).

The OARSI Joint Effort Initiative

ObjectiveThe Joint Effort Initiative (JEI) is an international collaboration of clinicians, researchers, and consumer organisations with a shared vision of improving the implementation of osteoarthritis management programs (OAMPs). This study aimed to identify JEI's future priorities and guide direction. DesignA two-part international survey to prioritise topics of importance to our membership and research stakeholders. Survey one presented a list of 40 topics under 5 themes. Consenting participants were asked to choose their top three topics in each theme. A short list of 25 topics was presented in survey two. Participants were asked to rank the importance (100-point NRS scale, 100 ​= ​highest priority). Response frequency (median, IQR) was used to rank the top priorities by theme. Results Ninety-five participants completed survey one (61% female, 48% clinicians) and 57 completed survey two. The top ranked topic/s were: i. Promotion and advocacy: support training for health professionals (median 85, IQR 24). ii. Education and training: incorporating behaviour change into OAMPs (80, 16), advanced OA skills (80, 30), and integration of OA education into clinical training (80, 36). iii. Improving OAMPs delivery: regular updates on changes to best-evidence OA care (84, 24). iv. Future research: improve uptake of exercise, physical activity, and weight-loss (89, 16). v. Enhancing relationships, alliances, and shared knowledge: promote research collaborations (81, 30), share challenges and opportunities for OAMP implementation (80, 23). ConclusionsThese topics will set the JEI's research and collaboration agenda for the next 5 years and stimulate ideas for others working in the field.