Browsing by Author "Cummings, Greta G."

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    A Data Quality Control Program for Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews
    (2012-12-10) Squires, Janet E.; Hutchinson, Alison M.; Bostrom, Anne-Marie; Deis, Kelly; Norton, Peter G.; Cummings, Greta G.; Estabrooks, Carole A.
    Researchers strive to optimize data quality in order to ensure that study findings are valid and reliable. In this paper, we describe a data quality control program designed to maximize quality of survey data collected using computer-assisted personal interviews. The quality control program comprised three phases: (1) software development, (2) an interviewer quality control protocol, and (3) a data cleaning and processing protocol. To illustrate the value of the program, we assess its use in the Translating Research in Elder Care Study. We utilize data collected annually for two years from computer-assisted personal interviews with 3004 healthcare aides. Data quality was assessed using both survey and process data. Missing data and data errors were minimal. Mean and median values and standard deviations were within acceptable limits. Process data indicated that in only 3.4% and 4.0% of cases was the interviewer unable to conduct interviews in accordance with the details of the program. Interviewers’ perceptions of interview quality also significantly improved between Years 1 and 2. While this data quality control program was demanding in terms of time and resources, we found that the benefits clearly outweighed the effort required to achieve high-quality data.
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    A Protocol for Advanced Psychometric Assessment of Surveys
    (2013-01-15) Squires, Janet E.; Hayduk, Leslie; Hutchinson, Alison M.; Cranley, Lisa A.; Gierl, Mark; Cummings, Greta G.; Norton, Peter G.; Estabrooks, Carole A.
    Background and Purpose. In this paper, we present a protocol for advanced psychometric assessments of surveys based on the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. We use the Alberta Context Tool (ACT) as an exemplar survey to which this protocol can be applied. Methods. Data mapping, acceptability, reliability, and validity are addressed. Acceptability is assessed with missing data frequencies and the time required to complete the survey. Reliability is assessed with internal consistency coefficients and information functions. A unitary approach to validity consisting of accumulating evidence based on instrument content, response processes, internal structure, and relations to other variables is taken. We also address assessing performance of survey data when aggregated to higher levels (e.g., nursing unit). Discussion. In this paper we present a protocol for advanced psychometric assessment of survey data using the Alberta Context Tool (ACT) as an exemplar survey; application of the protocol to the ACT survey is underway. Psychometric assessment of any survey is essential to obtaining reliable and valid research findings. This protocol can be adapted for use with any nursing survey.
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    Conceptual and relational advances of the PARIHS and i-PARIHS frameworks over the last decade: a critical interpretive synthesis
    (2022-12-07) Duan, Yinfei; Iaconi, Alba; Wang, Jing; Perez, Janelle S.; Song, Yuting; Chamberlain, Stephanie A.; Shrestha, Shovana; Choroschun, Katharina; Hoben, Matthias; Beeber, Anna; Anderson, Ruth A.; Cummings, Greta G.; Lanham, Holly J.; Norton, Peter G.; Estabrooks, Carole A.; Berta, Whitney
    Abstract Background The number of research publications reporting the use of the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework and the integrated PARIHS (i-PARIHS) framework has grown steadily. We asked how the last decade of implementation research, predicated on the (i-)PARIHS framework (referring to the PARIHS or i-PARIHS framework), has contributed to our understanding of the conceptualizations of, relationships between, and dynamics among the core framework elements/sub-elements. Building on the Helfrich et al. (2010) review of research on the PARIHS framework, we undertook a critical interpretive synthesis to: (1) identify conceptual and relational advances in the (i-)PARIHS framework and (2) identify conceptual and relational aspects of the (i-)PARIHS framework that warrant further work. Methods We performed a systematic search in PubMed/PubMed Central, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, JSTOR, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and PsycInfo. Articles were eligible for synthesis if they (a) were peer-reviewed articles, written in English, and published between January 2009 and December 2021, (b) applied the (i-)PARIHS framework explicitly to guide implementation research, and (c) made conceptual (expanding the conceptualization of core elements) and/or relational contributions (elaborating relationships among elements/sub-elements, or theorizing the relationships using empirical data). We used a critical interpretive synthesis approach to synthesize conceptual-relational advances of the (i-)PARIHS framework. Results Thirty-seven articles were eligible for synthesis. Twenty-four offered conceptual contributions, and 18 offered relational contributions (5 articles contributed in both ways). We found conceptual expansion of all core (i-)PARIHS elements, with most emphasis on context (particularly outer context and leadership), facilitation, and implementation success. Articles also gave insights into the complex relationships and relational dynamism among these elements, characterized as contingent, interactive, multilevel, and temporal effects. Conclusions We observed developmental advances of the (i-)PARIHS framework and proposed several directions to further advance the framework. Conceptualization of (i-)PARIHS elements (particularly evidence/innovation and recipients) need to be further developed by specifying conceptual and operational definitions of underlying sub-elements. Relationships among (i-)PARIHS elements/sub-elements need to be further elaborated through empirical studies that consider situational contingencies and causal complexities. This will require examining necessity and sufficiency of (i-)PARIHS elements/sub-elements in relation to implementation outcomes, interactions among elements, and mechanism-based explanations.
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    How context links to best practice use in long-term care homes: a mixed methods study
    (2024-06-07) Duan, Yinfei; Wang, Jing; Lanham, Holly J.; Berta, Whitney; Chamberlain, Stephanie A.; Hoben, Matthias; Choroschun, Katharina; Iaconi, Alba; Song, Yuting; Perez, Janelle S.; Shrestha, Shovana; Beeber, Anna; Anderson, Ruth A.; Hayduk, Leslie; Cummings, Greta G.; Norton, Peter G.; Estabrooks, Carole A.
    Abstract Background Context (work environment) plays a crucial role in implementing evidence-based best practices within health care settings. Context is multi-faceted and its complex relationship with best practice use by care aides in long-term care (LTC) homes are understudied. This study used an innovative approach to investigate how context elements interrelate and influence best practice use by LTC care aides. Methods In this secondary analysis study, we combined coincidence analysis (a configurational comparative method) and qualitative analysis to examine data collected through the Translating Research in Elder Care (TREC) program. Coincidence analysis of clinical microsystem (care unit)-level data aggregated from a survey of 1,506 care aides across 36 Canadian LTC homes identified configurations (paths) of context elements linked consistently to care aides’ best practices use, measured with a scale of conceptual research use (CRU). Qualitative analysis of ethnographic case study data from 3 LTC homes (co-occurring with the survey) further informed interpretation of the configurations. Results Three paths led to very high CRU at the care unit level: very high leadership; frequent use of educational materials; or a combination of very high social capital (teamwork) and frequent communication between care aides and clinical educators or specialists. Conversely, 2 paths led to very low CRU, consisting of 3 context elements related to unfavorable conditions in relationships, resources, and formal learning opportunities. Our qualitative analysis provided insights into how specific context elements served as facilitators or barriers for best practices. This qualitative exploration was especially helpful in understanding 2 of the paths, illustrating the pivotal role of leadership and the function of teamwork in mitigating the negative impact of time constraints. Conclusions Our study deepens understanding of the complex interrelationships between context elements and their impact on the implementation of best practices in LTC homes. The findings underscore that there is no singular, universal bundle of context-related elements that enhance or hinder best practice use in LTC homes.
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    Student Nurses’ Perception of Preceptors’ Authentic Leadership Effect on Self-Efficacy
    (2019-08-19) Bryan, Venise D.; Mendaglio, Sal; Cummings, Greta G.; Kowch, Eugene G.; Vitello-Cicciu, Joan M.; McCaffrey, Graham
    The study examined the relationship between final year nursing students’ perceptions of preceptor authentic leadership and self-efficacy. Nursing students are required to engage in a preceptorship experience at the end of their nursing education for socialisation into the profession and learning consolidation to facilitate optimum transition from student to nurse. Unfortunately, preceptorship has been identified as the most stressful experience that nursing students engage in and poor relations with clinical staff and low competence beliefs to nurse have led to attrition after graduation. To date, a limited number of studies have examined preceptors’ leadership style, particularly authentic leadership and student nurses’ self-efficacy. Authentic leadership has been identified in the nursing literature as a root element for creating healthy work environments to enhance nurturing leader-follower relationships. Hence, this study addresses: a) the relationship between perceived preceptor authentic leadership and nursing students’ self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and job performance; b) the influence of the final clinical practicum on nursing students’ self-efficacy to nurse; and c) the mediating effect of self-efficacy on perceived preceptor authentic leadership, job satisfaction and job performance. A multi-phase mixed methods approach of an explanatory sequential design was used. Data were collected from 94 randomly selected final year nursing students using four standardized instruments: authentic leadership questionnaire, adapted self-efficacy scale, global job satisfaction survey, and general performance scale. A semi-structured interview was also done. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics as well as thematic analysis. The results showed that students perceived preceptors’ authentic leadership, and the final clinical practicum experience positively influenced their self-efficacy. Authentic leadership had a direct association with self-efficacy and job satisfaction, and an indirect relationship with job performance as mediated through self-efficacy. The thematic analysis identified five key themes which included the two overarching themes of preceptor attributes and preceptor effects. The study’s findings show that authentic leadership has implications for nursing practice, leadership, and education as the study provides support for the effectiveness of the theory in the preceptorship experience of the final year nursing student population in enhancing their self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and job performance.