Interdisciplinary Health / Santé interdisciplinaire - Master's Theses

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Conceptualizing cultural safety in a clinical setting: how can health professionals implement culturally safe practice with Indigenous patients?
(2024-08-14) Skrinar, Hannah
Despite emerging research on cultural safety training for healthcare and social services workers, there remains a gap in the literature on ways by which regulated health professionals can practically implement culturally safe practices for Indigenous patients. This scoping review is aimed at conceptualizing different ways by which healthcare professionals can implement cultural safety into their practice. This can be done through human resources, community partnership, engagement, and the manipulation of physical spaces. Within each of the categories, practical examples of cultural safety were identified. The literature search yielded 41 articles and was conducted using key-word searches. Articles were then screened using the inclusion and exclusion criteria to find papers investigating practical implications for culturally safe healthcare. The literature review was divided into four sections: 1) human resources; 2) communication; 3) engagement; and 4) partnership, health services, and physical spaces. In the human resources category, results include incentivizing employees who strive for cultural safety and recruiting local Indigenous community members. The communication, engagement, and partnership search yielded findings such as demedicalizing terms and using family meetings as a means of communication. Findings in the health services portion included delivering health education to patients in the form of circle sharing and including traditional foods in nutritional counseling. Lastly, the physical spaces category produced results such as displaying local Indigenous artwork and making traditional medicines and materials available to patients. Results from the review offered real-life examples that can be used to reduce the gap between cultural safety training and execution of culturally safe health care delivery.
Northeastern Ontario nurses' perceptions of violence in acute care settings
(2023-01-13) Akpomi-Eferakeya, Oghenefego
The incidence of workplace violence (WPV) is increasing and has become a worldwide concern. This is particularly true among medical workers, especially nurses, who are at a high risk of exposure, as they are the first and closest contact with patients. The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions and the Ontario division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees conducted a survey in Northeastern Ontario in 2019 and found that 96% of personal support workers and registered practical nurses experienced physical violence while working. This was 8% higher than the provincial average. This study explores Northeastern Ontario nurses’ perceptions of violence in an acute-care setting through two research questions: What are Northeastern Ontario nurses’ perceptions of violence and challenges to preventing violence? What improvements or changes are needed to reduce or prevent WPV? This study uses Sally Thorne’s (2016) interpretive description qualitative methodology guided by the Haddon matrix conceptual framework of WPV. Registered nurses (n = 14) participated in one of three virtual focus groups from three patient care units. The overarching theme, nurses surviving violence in acute-care settings, is supported by three key themes: nurses’ different perceptions and levels of threshold of violence, nurses in jeopardy, and changes needed to the status quo. The findings indicate that violence against nurses occurs daily and should never be justified. Education, training, and supports involving hospital staff, the local police department, the community, and the public are crucial to preventing WPV.
Tapping into Anishinaabe wellbeing: illuminating a journey in Shebahonaning (Killarney) through principles of autoethnography.
(2023-08-08) Anderson, Marnie
Reviewing the colonial history of Canada, and particularly that of the province of Ontario, serves to provide a greater understanding of the health inequities that impact Anishinaabe communities and people today. After the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850 in Ontario, policies have continued to be developed and implemented with the intent to displace and assimilate Anishinaabe people into the Euro-Canadian culture. The Integrated Life Course and Social Determinants of Aborigi- nal Health Model defines policies and legislation such as the Civilization Act, Enfranchisement Act, and Indian Act as examples of distal determinants of health, with historical, political, social, economic, and holistic health impacts on Indigenous people and entire communities. There is a need for further research on health inequities and dispossession of culture and land in Indigenous communities in Canada. My major paper focuses specifically on the historical colonial events and policies that have impacted the holistic health of the Anishinaabe people and community of Shebahonaning (now widely known as Killarney), Ontario, Canada. The approach weaves a health and history literature review with principals of autoethnographic research as I include re- flections and storytelling through the historical conversations I have had with my maternal Grandparents at their Sugarbush. Tapping into this visceral knowledge and lived experience through oral tradition serves to illuminate a better understanding of the Anishinaabe well-being for myself and families with similar experience. The wider implications of colonialism and pol- icy on Anishinaabe identity is addressed and shared, with specific recommendations to improve holistic health outcomes in the community of Shebahonaning; and with consideration of the im- plications for other Indigenous communities in Canada.
Exploring indigenous and visible minority women’s access to preventive breast and cervical cancer screening in Canada: a narrative review
(2023-03-14) Richer, Rebecca D.
Canada’s health care system is founded on the principles of need rather than ability to pay, priding itself for its decentralized, publicly-funded health care system that provides firstdollar coverage for preventive services across all provinces and territories (Allin et al. 2020; Kumachev et al. 2016). Despite best efforts through federal sharing and the indisputable evidence for early preventive mammography and Pap smear screening, profound disparities are found in service availability, utilization and accessibility for Indigenous and Visible Minority women in Canada (Amankwah et al. 2009; Demers et al. 2015; Ferdous et al. 2020). The purpose of this narrative review is threefold: to explore the incidence of breast and cervical cancer amongst Indigenous and Visible Minority populations in Canada, to explore potential barriers associated with the uptake of mammograms and Pap smear tests by these two populations; and to explore achievable interventions to improve access to cancer preventive services for Indigenous and Visible Minority women. This review uses the WHO Social Determinants of Health framework (SDOH) (World Health Organization 2010) rooted in equity to guide the review of the literature, and the Five Dimensions of Accessibility of Healthcare Services (Levesque et al. 2013) to guide the thematic analysis of intervention models. An initial literature search was conducted using Google Scholar and Science Direct databases for articles published from 2000 to 2022, yielding 8,462 articles. After screening for irrelevant titles, and non-Canadian studies, 97 publications remained. After 71 duplicates and publications that did not meet the search criteria were removed, a manual search was performed, yielding a total of 34 publications that were included in the narrative review. Of these 34 articles, 17 articles concerned Visible Minority populations and 17 articles, Indigenous populations. The articles included in this review covered four provinces: (1) British Columbia, (4) Manitoba, (13) Ontario and (2) Quebec, with the remaining 14 referencing Canada as a whole. The studies shared similar trends in breast and cervical cancer incidence and screening uptake for Indigenous and Minority women, with Pap smear uptake being lower than the national threshold and mammography uptake being lower in these populations compared to the rest of the Canadian population. Through thematic analysis, the most common barriers influencing accessibility and underutilization of preventive breast and cervical cancer were found to include socioeconomic status, culture and communication, education, lack of appropriate health care providers, and societal beliefs and attitudes towards cancer screening amongst both populations. Finally, possible interventions were identified in the literature that may inform strategies to achieve more equitable access to healthcare services tailored to Canada’s multicultural society.
The good student or the good patient? The barriers encountered by undergraduate medical students with disabilities at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine
(2021-08-24) Belanger, Rachel
The American Association of Medical College’s (AAMC) Lived Experience report was released in March 2018 with hopes of broadening the diversity of medical students to include more of those with disabilities (Meeks & Jain, 2018). The authors hoped to generate discussion and study the lived experiences of current medical students, residents and practicing physicians with disabilities to learn about the barriers and supports that they have and continue to encounter along their journeys in medicine. In response to the Meeks & Jain (2018) publication, the purpose of this study was to replicate their study with the research question “What are the barriers encountered by undergraduate medical students with self-identified disabilities at one Northern Ontario medical school?”. The Lived Experience Project provides a unique opportunity to learn about, and compare the experiences of, participants in this study to medical students at one medical school in Northern Ontario (Meeks & Jain, 2018). In doing so, the climate and culture of this school and how this affects the treatment and education of students with disabilities, including the barriers they face in the academic accommodation process, in medical environments and throughout medical school as a whole were explored. A qualitative descriptive study design was used. Data was collected using an initial demographics-based survey followed by a semi-structured interview. Interviews were conducted in person or by telephone. Data was transcribed and analysed using Braun & Clarke Thematic Analysis (2013). It was found that the participants of this study found barriers directly associated with their medical education in addition to barriers indirectly associated with their medical education and finally, barriers outside of medical school. Supports in the lives of participants were also identified as a theme in the current research, suggesting a positive impact in the lives of medical students with disabilities. No barriers specific to being a student in Northern Ontario arose, which may be in part to the nature of the sample and small sample size. Implications for this research include reviews of accommodation policies, revision of technical standards at a national and institutional level as well as strengthened communication between the student, the medical school, faculty, and administration.
“It’s always going to be a part of who you are”: exploring the identities of competitive male ice hockey players
(2021-05-17) Morrison, Kirsten
In this thesis I explore how competitive male ice hockey players living in Northeastern Ontario construct their identities through sport participation with an emphasis on masculinity. The purpose of the thesis is to provide insight into the way identities are formed and the examination of myself in relation to my biases and the participants. The study was guided by narrative theory using a social constructionism paradigm. Participants consisted of five current players (age 19- 22) from hockey teams in Northeastern Ontario and one retired professional hockey player who acted as a key informant. I used thematic analysis to identify common themes from a total of six semi-structured, conversational interviews. The thesis is a paper-based document consisting of two stand-alone manuscripts and complementing bookend chapters. The first manuscript presents the results from the analysis of the interviews while the second manuscript presents a discussion around reflexive materials written throughout the research process.
To report or not to report: factors that influence physician error reporting behaviour
(2021-08-03) Lefrançois, Sophie
A significant amount of evidence affirms that medical errors increase the risk of injury and death. In an ideal health care environment, physicians and health care organizations would accurately report all medical errors to mitigate reoccurrences and increase patient safety. However, the true incidence of physician error is largely unknown, in part, due to underreporting. This under-reporting results in a lack of important data, which may help us understand and correct error contributors and system design failures. In addition, these errors also pose a significant financial burden on hospital expenses and the healthcare system as a whole. The purpose of this major paper is to identify and describe, the types of physician error and their causes, the reporting mechanisms of error, and the predominant factors which can affect physician error reporting behaviour. The "Theory of Planned Behaviour" is used as a means of identifying and illustrating how certain factors can influence error reporting behaviour. Each factor associated with physician error reporting is explained in relation the theory's constructs. The literature search was conducted electronically using the Laurentian University Library to access various journals and platforms. The predominant factors that influence reporting are: that reporting system and process, psychological safety, manager and supervisor support, feedback for patient safety improvement, teamwork and peer support, as well as lack of time. By addressing the barriers and enablers of physician error reporting, patient safety would increase. We can ensure the same errors do not occur again by addressing the predominant factors that affect reporting. Despite efforts to increase reporting, further research and implementation of practices are needed to reduce the barriers that influence physician error reporting and increase the enablers.
Physician burnout and the risk factors associated
(2021-08-04) Forestell, Meghan
Introduction: The practice of medicine can be incredibly rewarding, meaningful, and fulfilling to a physician, however it can be demanding and stressful. This paper set out to answer two main questions 1) what is the definition of ‘burnout’? and 2) What are the risk factors associated with physician ‘burnout’? Methods: A literature review was conducted to address the research questions. The PersonEnvironment-Occupation (PEO) Model was employed to structure the review of the literature with the main causes of burnout being highlighted in each of the person, environment and occupation domains of the model. Multiple databases were used in the collection of literature. Main Findings: It was evident that the current definition of burnout in the literature no longer reflects the needs of physicians and the healthcare field thus a reconceptualised definition is warranted. The organizational factors associated with physician burnout were disruptive behaviours, organizational climate, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and physician engagement. The main personal factors associated with physician burnout were medical training, work-life balance, sex and gender, personality traits and self-care. Lastly, the main environmental factors associated with physician burnout were autonomy, cultural shifts in medicine, perceptions of medicine in society and advances in medical technology. After assessing the definition and risk factors, it became clear that the issue of physician burnout requires an intersectional approach to fully understand physician needs and challenges. Conclusions: This paper highlighted many recommendations and considerations to advance burnout research and to increase the health and well-being of physicians including employing an intersectional approach as a starting point for fully understanding and preventing physician burnout.
Traditional healing and medicine in dementia care for Indigenous populations in North America, Australia, and New Zealand: a scoping review
(2021-07-12) Shrestha, Hom Lal
Access to culturally-safe dementia assessment, diagnosis, and care in Indigenous populations worldwide is an emerging challenge. In 2018, the World Health Organization recognized traditional healers as stakeholders in dementia care and prevention. Traditional healers contribute to dementia assessment, diagnosis, and care in unique ways, and play a catalytic role in the process of culturally-safe dementia care planning and assessment with health care providers at the community level. The purpose of this scoping review was to understand the roles and experiences of traditional healers, to evaluate strategies for integration between Indigenous traditional healing and western dementia care approaches, and to examine the policy barriers and research gaps in North America (Canada and United States), Australia, and New Zealand. The scoping review methodology used was the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) approach that included six steps: protocol development based on participants, content and context framework, development of a search strategy, selection of relevant studies, charting of relevant data, synthesis, and reporting of results, and conducting stakeholder consultation. We searched English literature in select bibliographic databases, including CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline and PsycINFO. The initial search identified 516 papers published between 2000 and 2020 that met the search criteria. After 164 duplicates were removed, we screened 352 titles and abstracts, excluding the 209 that did not meet the inclusion criteria. Our second stage review of 143 fulltext studies resulted in the further exclusion of 141 studies. Only two studies from Canada met all inclusion criteria for this scoping review and explored the potential integration of traditional healing in dementia care and the roles and perceptions of traditional healers. The two studies were conducted in Southwestern Ontario in an urban First Nations community and Saskatchewan with Cree, Salteaux, and Metis populations in rural and remote communities. The studies indicated that the inclusion of traditional healers, Elder knowledge-holders, Grandmother groups, and emerging Indigenous scholars and researchers can contribute to building an evidence-based dementia care decision-making process for Indigenous people with dementia. Hence, integrating Indigenous traditional healing and medicine in dementia care is a path to culturally-safe dementia care and social support systems for people with dementia
Traditional healing and medicine in dementia care for Indigenous populations in North America, Australia, and New Zealand: a scoping review
(2021-07-05) Shrestha, Hom Lal
Access to culturally-safe dementia assessment, diagnosis, and care in Indigenous populations worldwide is an emerging challenge. In 2018, the World Health Organization recognized traditional healers as stakeholders in dementia care and prevention. Traditional healers contribute to dementia assessment, diagnosis, and care in unique ways, and play a catalytic role in the process of culturally-safe dementia care planning and assessment with health care providers at the community level. The purpose of this scoping review was to understand the roles and experiences of traditional healers, to evaluate strategies for integration between Indigenous traditional healing and western dementia care approaches, and to examine the policy barriers and research gaps in North America (Canada and United States), Australia, and New Zealand. The scoping review methodology used was the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) approach that included six steps: protocol development based on participants, content and context framework, development of a search strategy, selection of relevant studies, charting of relevant data, synthesis, and reporting of results, and conducting stakeholder consultation. We searched English literature in select bibliographic databases, including CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline and PsycINFO. The initial search identified 516 papers published between 2000 and 2020 that met the search criteria. After 164 duplicates were removed, we screened 352 titles and abstracts, excluding the 209 that did not meet the inclusion criteria. Our second stage review of 143 full text studies resulted in the further exclusion of 141 studies. Only two studies from Canada met all inclusion criteria for this scoping review and explored the potential integration of traditional healing in dementia care and the roles and perceptions of traditional healers. The two studies were conducted in Southwestern Ontario in an urban First Nations community and Saskatchewan with Cree, Salteaux, and Metis populations in rural and remote communities. The studies indicated that the inclusion of traditional healers, Elder knowledge-holders, Grandmother groups, and emerging Indigenous scholars and researchers can contribute to building an evidence-based dementia care decision-making process for Indigenous people with dementia. Hence, integrating Indigenous traditional healing and medicine in dementia care is a path to culturally-safe dementia care and social support systems for people with dementia.
After the dust settles: a qualitative study of underground workers exposed to an aluminum dust prophylaxis
(2020-05-26) Aubin, Danielle M.
From 1943 to 1980, some underground gold and uranium workers in Ontario were required to inhale aluminum powder, up to approximately 30 minutes daily, for silicosis prevention. This qualitative descriptive study explored the perceived impact of exposed workers to the aluminum powder. Sixteen respondents from Northeastern Ontario participated in interviews which were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Themes that were constructed on a personal impact level included: 1) compulsory exposure, 2) hesitancy to complain, 3) feelings of betrayal, and 4) concern about health impact and dying. Themes on an organizational impact level included: 1) confidence and trust in company, 2) lack of knowledge, and 3) need for compensation and formal apology. Workers’ perceived that their long-term health was impacted by exposure on a personal and organizational level. The latest information from this study on McIntyre powder will enhance the knowledge within the occupational health and safety system.
Getting to the root: ceremony leader perspectives of the healing potential of ayahuasca drinking for eating disorders
(2020-08-11) Kingston Miller, Annie
Ayahuasca is a plant medicine traditionally used by Indigenous groups in the Amazon. Researchers are now exploring its healing potential for mental illnesses. This qualitative study evaluated the perspective of fifteen ceremonial leaders’ using content analysis on the healing potential of ayahuasca drinking among individuals with eating disorders. Leaders’ theories of eating disorders included the belief that eating disorders: are reflective of a deeper issue, including unprocessed trauma; have an adaptive function; affect health on multiple levels; are similar to addiction. Leaders’ theories on the healing mechanisms of ayahuasca included that ceremonial experiences: support participants to process and integrate underlying causes of the illness; facilitate physical, spiritual, mental and emotional healing; enhance and reorganize relationships with symptoms, self, community and creation; and support healing through a general shamanic approach. From their perspective, ayahuasca offers a potentially new and novel treatment option in the healing of eating disorders.
Improving the response to intimate partner violence experienced by First Nations people in the primary care setting: provider perspectives on Manitoulin Island
(2019-10-18) Rizkalla, Kristin Michelle
Indigenous women and men living in Canada experience disproportionately high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) compared to non-Indigenous women and men, which is best explained within a colonial context. Despite the wide range of adverse physical, sexual and psychological outcomes of IPV, a coordinated approach to the phenomenon has yet to be established in the healthcare and social services system on Manitoulin Island, a region in Northeast Ontario. This project was aimed to address that gap at the primary care level through community based participatory research. Using a Grounded Theory and qualitative research approach, primary care providers (n=31) participated in focus groups and interviews to discuss their perceptions of what is required to improve the response to IPV in the primary care setting. The analysis focused on elucidating the barriers and facilitators that exist within current practices, those of which prevent or ease the delivery of care to First Nation patients who are experiencing IPV. Suggestions for culturally relevant improvements at a health care provision and community level are discussed. Further studies should include knowledge translation back into the communities on Manitoulin Island as well as the perspectives of the survivors of intimate partner violence and their perception of what can be improved within current provider practices.
Mining workers’ perceptions of the barriers to and facilitators of return to work subsequent to illness or injury
(2020-02-24) Schutt, Lisa
The goal of this thesis is to identify barriers to and facilitators of a successful return to work (RTW) following an occupational or non-occupational injury or illness within the mining industry. This study used qualitative research methods to better understand the recovery and RTW process from the perspectives of mining workers. Research participants engaged in semi-structured interviews to explore mining workers’ experiences with the RTW process following an injury or illness. Data analysis was guided by interpretive description (Thorne, 2016) and the following key themes emerged: holistic pillars of well-being supporting the RTW process, holistic supports, navigating the maze, and organizational championship. In conclusion, the results of this study illustrated the importance of various supports in facilitating recovery and RTW. Supports can manifest in organizational policy, RTW navigation guidance, and stakeholder appreciation for and understanding of the mind–body connection.
The impact of medical instructors' attitudes towards patients with developmental disabilities on undergraduate medical students in Northern Ontario
(2020-04-20) Groom, Alicia
The attitudes possessed by health care professionals are an important factor in patients with developmental disabilities’ (DD) ability to access services, particularly in rural and remote regions, such as Northern Ontario. Despite the expressed need for greater education in medical school on DD, students and providers often report discomfort when working with these patients. This major paper aimed to answer the question: What impact do instructors and preceptors have on medical students’ attitudes towards patients with developmental disabilities? Social Power Theory (French & Raven, 1959) was used to explore the themes in the literature. A total of 56 articles published between 1980 and 2019 were identified and reviewed for this analysis. Three main themes were identified in the literature including: (1) Barriers to accessing health care, including both providers’ and students’ knowledge and attitudes; (2) Gaps in the health care curricula and formal education; and (3) the power dynamic and culture of medical education. The results of this review indicate that there is a lack of formal education and few clinical opportunities for students to learn about DD. Patients with DD have expressed a desire to be included in medical education in a professional capacity as an educator; this position of power may provide them with an opportunity to improve students’ knowledge while reducing potential biases. Although medical educators are experts in their field, they are often not formally trained as educators. The implications of this lack of formal training are that much of preceptors’ teaching styles are left to their discretion, which may include negative teaching approaches such as “ritual humiliation”
Social network development of the Stay on Your Feet (SOYF) implementation in the Greater Sudbury Region: A case study
(2017-06-19) Labbé, Amanda Paulean
The aging of the Canadian population is a serious concern. There are calls for innovation, integration, and collaboration among health and social systems to address older adult care needs. The rate of falls among older adults is high and will increase as the older adult population expands and progresses through the later life course. Stay on Your Feet (SOYF), an evidencebased falls prevention initiative, has been implemented in northeastern Ontario. Social Network Analysis (SNA) and semi-structured interviews were used to examine the implementation of SOYF in the Greater Sudbury region. The network was consisted predominantly of informal collaborations among health-related organizations, had low density and high centrality. Furthering community recognition and engagement of older adults were indicated as necessary to achieve sustainability of SOYF. The SOYF implementation network could use more collaboration among health and social organizations.
Patient experiences in rural Northern Ontario: small hospital utilization and perspectives on community paramedicine
(2019-05-07) Prevost, Chad
This thesis adhered to an integrated article format with two distinct studies focusing on the analysis of patient medical records from a rural hospital in north east Ontario (Study 1) and a cross-sectional observational investigation of patient perspectives on community paramedicine (CP) (Study 2). The aim of Study 1 was to help hospital administrators identify patients at high risk of frequent hospital resource utilization (emergency department (ED) visit or admissions) so that if appropriate, they may be redirected to alternative services available in the community. Therefore, the two main research questions for this study were: (1) Which types of patients are more prone to having repeat ED visits and hospital admissions; and (2) What types of services could better serve or help improve the health of these patients? Study 2 aimed to evaluate patient and caregiver perspectives related to their involvement in three CP programs in rural communities across Northern Ontario. There were two research questions guiding the evaluation of patient perspectives in this study: (1) How effective is CP at supporting patient-centered care; and (2) How do perceptions differ between home visit (HV) and wellness clinic (WC) patients? In Study 1, twenty-six patients met the criteria for repeat ED visits (65% female; mean age 52 years) and accounted for a total of 623 ED visits. Seventeen patients met the criteria for repeat admissions (41.2% female; mean age 73 years) and accounted for 69 repeat hospital admissions. The most common reason cited for repeat ED visits was dressing changes and the most common reason cited for repeat admissions was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For Study 2, 91.7% (n=55) of patients reported being satisfied with the CP services they received and 98.3% (n=59) of the patients indicated that they would recommend CP to others. Patient perspectives of CP suggest that the service model is consistent with a patient-centered framework that includes interpersonal, psychosocial, clinical, and structural dimensions. The patients also valued CP for the ease of access and the reassurance provided by the paramedics monitoring their health concerns. Our studies found that an older population with increased health needs appear acceptable towards receiving alternative health care services outside of the hospital. Based on the perspectives of patients currently enrolled in CP programs across Northern Ontario, the HV and WC services of CP appeared to be considered as an acceptable program that can provide patient-centered care in rural and northern communities. Collectively, these two studies provide important data related to the patient experience in a rural and northern health care system context. These are encouraging signs that alternative health care services, like the CP programs, can address non-urgent issues for residents of northern and rural communities in Ontario.
Perceived impact of rotating shift work on health and wellbeing among underground workers
(2019-08-27) Villeneuve, Chelsea V.
Workers in the mining industry are exposed to several risks and hazards in the underground environment. Shift work is a common working arrangement in the mining industry and is associated with many adverse health outcomes. In Canada, there is limited research between rotating shift work in the minerals industry and the effects on health and wellbeing of workers, especially utilizing a qualitative design. This thesis aimed to understand the impact of rotating shift work on perceived health and wellbeing among some underground workers in Sudbury, Ontario. This qualitative descriptive study utilized individual, semistructured interviews with a sample of underground workers (n = 12) employed in Sudbury, Ontario. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s 2006 version of thematic analysis. Participants in this study perceived both advantages and disadvantages of working on a rotating shift schedule in relation to their health and wellbeing. Final themes that emerged from the data included: strong preference for the night shift, challenges associated with impact on personal wellbeing, advantages and disadvantages on work environment wellbeing, benefits and challenges of wellbeing external to work, strategies for coping with shift work, family advantages, challenges with partner relationships, challenges and opportunities in relationships with children, and strategies used to protect family wellbeing. The findings of this study may influence future research studies using a quantitative or mixed-method design, and larger samples.
Mining, injuries, and the compensation process: who does it hurt the most?
(2019-06-17) Mongeau, Sherry
The thesis aimed to determine the impact of a lower back injury and the compensation claim process experienced by some male underground workers in Sudbury, Ontario. A qualitative descriptive study design was employed and utilized inductive, in-depth, in-person interviews. Participants were recruited using an existing database of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 6500. Thematic analysis was employed and yielded the following themes: extreme financial hardship, compromised family relationships, feelings of depression, unsafe work environments, punishment for injured workers, denial of illness and compensation by the employer, and a tough fight for compensation. In conclusion, the results of this study emphasized the need for additional research about the biopsychosocial consequences of an injury, how to better support an injured worker and the importance of providing process, policy, and injury prevention education for all individuals involved in an injured workers journey.
Examining the effects of the holistic arts-based program on teachers’ stress, mindfulness and teaching practices
(2019-06-26) Hardy, Amanda
The concept of teacher stress has received extensive study in the field of education. School boards, unions, and governments acknowledge the high prevalence of stress amongst teachers. Efforts to mitigate the negative effects associated with teacher stress on teacher wellbeing and student learning conditions have led to the development of a number of interventions including Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs). MBIs offer participants training in developing non-judgmental present moment awareness, which has been shown to decrease stress, anxiety, and depression. My research study examined the effects of a specific MBI, the Holistic Arts-Based Program (HAP) on teachers’ reported stress levels, mindfulness skills, and their teaching practices. HAP is an arts-based 12-week MBI designed to make mindfulness concepts and skills more accessible through the use of arts-based methods. Previous studies found that participating in HAP has positive benefits that include improved attention, coping skills, self-awareness, and self-esteem. Data was collected pre- and post-HAP. Teachers were interviewed and completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Teacher Stress Inventory (TSI). Findings are promising regarding the feasibility, suitability, and benefits of HAP for teachers. The qualitative thematic analysis led to the development of the following themes: (1) more accurate and comprehensive understanding of mindfulness, (2) participants’ experiences learning mindfulness through experiential arts-based group work, (3) personal and professional benefits of learning mindfulness, and (4) educational consequences of teachers learning mindfulness through arts-based methods. The TSI and FFMQ also suggested that teacher participation in HAP contributed to decreased teacher stress and increased teachers’ mindfulness, their presence, and capacity to offer mindfulness activities to students. This study demonstrates how HAP could support teachers in increasing their own selfawareness and mindfulness practice, thereby mitigating some of the negative effects of stress. Participants in this study also demonstrated a keen interest in bringing mindfulness into their schools and classrooms. Future consideration may be given to offer arts-based mindfulness training to teachers in different formats such as full-day workshops or professional development sessions.

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