Browsing by Author "Oelke, Nelly"
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- ItemOpen AccessInternet access is a necessity: a latent class analysis of COVID-19 related challenges and the role of technology use among rural community residents(2022-04-27) Dow-Fleisner, Sarah J.; Seaton, Cherisse L.; Li, Eric; Plamondon, Katrina; Oelke, Nelly; Kurtz, Donna; Jones, Charlotte; Currie, Leanne M.; Pesut, Barb; Hasan, Khalad; Rush, Kathy L.Abstract Background Rural and remote communities faced unique access challenges to essential services such as healthcare and highspeed infrastructure pre-COVID, which have been amplified by the pandemic. This study examined patterns of COVID-related challenges and the use of technology among rural-living individuals during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A sample of 279 rural residents completed an online survey about the impact of COVID-related challenges and the role of technology use. Latent class analysis was used to generate subgroups reflecting the patterns of COVID-related challenges. Differences in group membership were examined based on age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, and living situation. Finally, thematic analysis of open-ended qualitative responses was conducted to further contextualize the challenges experienced by rural-living residents. Results Four distinct COVID challenge impact subgroups were identified: 1) Social challenges (35%), 2) Social and Health challenges (31%), 3) Social and Financial challenges (14%), and 4) Social, Health, Financial, and Daily Living challenges (19%). Older adults were more likely to be in the Social challenges or Social and Health challenges groups as compared to young adults who were more likely to be in the Social, Health, Financial, and Daily Living challenges group. Additionally, although participants were using technology more frequently during the COVID-19 pandemic to address challenges, they were also reporting issues with quality and connectivity as a significant barrier. Conclusions These analyses found four different patterns of impact related to social, health, financial, and daily living challenges in the context of COVID. Social needs were evident across the four groups; however, we also found nearly 1 in 5 rural-living individuals were impacted by an array of challenges. Access to reliable internet and devices has the potential to support individuals to manage these challenges.
- ItemOpen AccessScaling Up [to] a Population Health Intervention: A Readiness Assessment Framework(2016) Nguyen, Duyen Thi Kim; McIntyre, Lynn; McLaren, Lindsay; Emery, Herb; Oelke, NellyBackground: Attempts to scale up a population health intervention (PHI) have achieved variable success, which, in part, is attributable to limited knowledge of scale up and lack of systematic guidance to support successful scale up. The concept of readiness is underrepresented in scale up and its consideration may improve the likelihood of success. Objective: To develop and assess a conceptual framework focused on the successful scale up of a PHI, which may be employed to gauge a PHI’s readiness for scale up success. Theoretical framework: This study integrated diffusion of innovations, organizational readiness for change, and complex adaptive systems theories. Methods and Results: The Scale Up Readiness Assessment Framework was developed and refined through a primarily qualitative methods design with three complementary studies, which were informed by the theoretical and empirical literature. Study one used a critical interpretive synthesis of the literature to develop the Framework. The synthesis identified 11 important actions in the successful scale up of a PHI, which were organized into three phases: Groundwork, Implementation, and Sustainment. Key components and hallmarks of a successful scale up approach were also determined. Study two used a modified Delphi method to assess content and face validity of the Framework’s actions and phases. A panel of PHI and scale up experts agreed all phases and actions were important; the Groundwork phase and six actions were representative of a successful scale up; and all were logically presented. Experts’ assessments guided the Framework’s second version. Study three involved pilot tests with potential users of the Framework (version 2.0), who commented how the Framework’s utility, value, and face validity might apply to their PHI. Participants concluded the Framework was informative, offered valuable guidance, and may serve multiple purposes beyond readiness assessment. Pilot feedback led to a final Framework revision (version 3.0). Conclusion: This research provides important conceptual advancements and insights regarding the practice of successful scale up. The research produced a usable product, the Framework, which may be used by academic and government PHI stakeholders for scale up readiness assessment and planning. Learnings from this framework have potentially diverse applications beyond its initial intended purpose.