Browsing by keyword "challenges"

Now showing items 1-3 of 3

    • Nursing Homes, the Pandemic, and Caring Enough
      Gurwitz, Jerry H.; Bonner, Alice F. (2020-07-14)
      As COVID-19 curves plateau and fall, the full extent of the tragedy occurring in our nation’s 15,000 nursing homes is being revealed. In many areas of the country, nursing homes (often referred to as “long-term care facilities”) have struggled against nearly insurmountable odds, with reduced staffing levels due to illness, inadequate testing and personal protective equipment (PPE), and mounting morbidity and mortality.

    • The Cambia Sojourns Scholars Leadership Program: Conversations with Emerging Leaders in Palliative Care
      Cruz-Oliver, Dulce M.; Bernacki, Rachelle; Cooper, Zara; Grudzen, Corita; Izumi, Seiko; Lafond, Deborah; University of Washington; LeBlanc, Thomas W.; Tjia, Jennifer; Walter, Jennifer (2017-05-19)
      BACKGROUND: There is a pressing workforce shortage and leadership scarcity in palliative care to adequately meet the demands of individuals with serious illness and their families. To address this gap, the Cambia Health Foundation launched its Sojourns Scholars Leadership Program in 2014, an initiative designed to identify, cultivate, and advance the next generation of palliative care leaders. This report intends to summarize the second cohort of Sojourns Scholars' projects and their reflection on their leadership needs. OBJECTIVE: This report summarizes the second cohort of sojourns scholars' project and their reflection on leadership needs. METHODS: After providing a written reflection on their own projects, the second cohort participated in a group interview (fireside chat) to elicit their perspectives on barriers and facilitators in providing palliative care, issues facing leadership in palliative care in the United States, and lessons from personal and professional growth as leaders in palliative care. They analyzed the transcript of the group interview using qualitative content analysis methodology. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from descriptions of the scholars' project experience: challenges in palliative care practice, leadership strategies in palliative care, and three lessons learned to be a leader were identified. Challenges included perceptions of palliative care, payment and policy, and workforce development. Educating and collaborating with other clinicians and influencing policy change are important strategies used to advance palliative care. Time management, leading team effort, and inspiring others are important skills that promote effectiveness as a leader. DISCUSSION: Emerging leaders have a unique view of conceptualizing contemporary palliative care and shaping the future. CONCLUSIONS: Providing comprehensive, coordinated care that is high quality, patient and family centered, and readily available depends on strong leadership in palliative care. The Cambia Scholars Program represents a unique opportunity.

    • The COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: Public health responses, opportunities and challenges
      Van Nguyen, Huy; Nguyen, Hoa L.; Dao, An Thi Minh; Van Nguyen, Tien; The Nguyen, Phuong; Mai Le, Phuong; Duy Vu, Kien; Thi Ngoc Tran, Anh; Kim Dao, Phuong; Thi Nguyen, Cham; et al. (2021-09-07)
      In responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, each country is presented with both opportunities and challenges, some unique and some shared with the global community. It is important to not only recognize, but to embrace them as drivers of the public to the current pandemic success. In this commentary, we discuss the opportunities and challenges that may affect ongoing public health programming in Australia within the current context of epidemiology. COVID-19 within Australia has to date been effectively suppressed through the implementation of nationally coordinated, in which the state delivered public policy, guidelines and practice, and successful establishment of a comprehensive testing, contact tracing, patient isolation and contact quarantine regime combined with national and state social distancing, hygiene etiquette and movement restrictions. However, despite its success to date great challenges lay ahead for future public health policy with the threat of a second wave, or more likely, multiple smaller outbreaks across various population centres. Therefore, policies that aim to balance the twin socioeconomic and health impacts are crucial. The experience of Australia in managing its COVID-19 response can provide a case study for other countries to reshape or adapt their policies and actions in the context of emerging global health crises.