This paper discusses course design factors affecting the success of asynchronous online learning with a specific focus on the social development of learning communities through online discussion. It reports on an empirical investigation of correlations between 22 course design factors and student perceptions of satisfaction, learning, and interaction with instructors and classmates using data c...

Cultural competence training is mandatory in the United States of America to alleviate minority health disparities though few studies have examined perceptions across stakeholders. We conducted separate focus groups with patients, clinicians, and administrators from the psychiatry department at one community hospital and compared responses to hospital policies. Stakeholders defined cultural com...

The local public health agency (LPHA) workforce is at the center of the public health emergency preparedness system and is integral to locally driven disaster recovery efforts. Throughout the disaster recovery period, LPHAs have a primary responsibility for community health and are responsible for a large number of health services. In the face of decreasing preparedness funding and increasing f...

The Raritan Bay Slag Site (New Jersey) was designated a Superfund site in 2009 because the seawall, jetties, and sediment contained lead (Pb). Our objective was to compare Pb and mercury (Hg) levels in biota and public perceptions of exposure at the Superfund and reference sites. Samples (algae, invertebrates, fish) were collected from the Raritan Bay Slag Site and reference sites and analyzed ...

BACKGROUND Community health workers (CHWs) are an integral resource in many health systems, particularly in resource-poor settings. Their identities--'who' they are--play an important role in their hiring, training, and retention. We explore the perceptions, experiences, and identities of CHWs as they adopt a CHW role in rural South Africa, using 'role identity theory'. DESIGN From April to D...

OBJECTIVE To analyze Estratégia de Saúde da Família (Family Health Strategy) professionals' perception of complementary and integrative therapies. METHODS A study with 177 doctors and nurses was conducted in 2008, based on a self-administered questionnaire. The outcome variables were "interest in complementary and integrative therapies" and "agreement with the National Policy on Complementary...

BACKGROUND Protected learning time (PLT) has spread quickly to primary healthcare teams in Scotland. Previous research has shown that PLT is generally well received, but that different professional and occupational groups have differing perceptions and experiences of PLT. Community nurses have low rates of attendance at practice-based PLT in NHS Ayrshire and Arran. It is not known why. AIMS T...

Objective This purpose of this report was to examine the perceptions of medical students about the strengths, limitations, and recommendations for improvement of the first known student-run HIV/AIDS educational campaigns in the Dominican Republic (DR), as they relate to the added value applied to their educational training. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on evaluation reports co...

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To explore oncology nurses' perceptions and experiences with patient involvement in chemotherapy error prevention. DESIGN Qualitative descriptive study. SETTING In- and outpatient oncology units of a community hospital in Switzerland. SAMPLE 11 actively practicing oncology nurses working in an ambulatory infusion unit or on wards. METHODS Oncology nurses participated ...

Primary Healthcare (PHC) is internationally acknowledged to be responsible for dealing with most community health problems, including mental health issues. The scope of this work was to evaluate the links between primary care and mental health in areas of high social vulnerability in a large Brazilian city (Campinas, State of São Paulo) using parameters defined in this study. Evaluative and par...