Wednesday 10 May 2017

Final Presentation


Link to Final Presention Google Doc Version

Final Literature Review

Link to Final Literature Review Paper Google Doc Version

Introduction/Abstract Sections

Link to Abstract/Introduction Section Google Doc Version

Chapter 7 Annotations

Berridge, Virginia. (2016). Public Health: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, United Kingdom. Retrieved from Oxford University Press.

As previously mentioned, the public health field is continuously evolving and growing. Berridge uses the beginning of this chapter to predict where the future of the public health field is headed and how far it has come since the beginning of public health. Main focuses are the improvements of life expectancy and the reduction of smoking rates. While environment is a factor of public health, and has improved over time, other factors remain issues within the field, such as vaccinations, diet, pollution, and more. Berridge reviews the beginning chapters of the book to compare the past and present within the public health field. Overcoming disease has been greatly accounted to progression of prevention methods to reduce public health risks, but now individual behaviors are being more examined and correlated to the environment and public health issues. Awareness on issues such as obesity is addressed and reiterated the fact that educating and informing are key to the public health field. In order for any field to grow, it is important to know its history, which is what Berridge tries to demonstrate through these chapters. Knowing the past can improve the present.

Conclusion Section

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Chapter 6 Annotations

Berridge, Virginia. (2016). Public Health: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, United Kingdom. Retrieved from Oxford University Press.

The public health issues that arise when categorized in a low socioeconomic class is a common theme throughout Berridge’s book. This chapter focuses on the underdeveloped tropic regions before World War I. The differences between public health in Europe and public health in the tropical regions was the scientific developments in cartography, taxonomy, and geography that allowed Europe to look at different biological variants and changes. These developments allowed Europeans to explore not only biological variants within Europe, but also expand to other areas as they explored new destinations as well; leading to new public health concerns. New virus outbreaks were happening such as small pox, and vaccinations were administered by the British to parts of India. While this was a great progression in the public health field, most Indians were not reached by the vaccination for two reasons. One was that many Indians believed in different forms of medicine stemming from their traditions and culture. The other reason for lack of vaccinations within India, was because priority for vaccinations when to those in higher statuses rather than those living in low socioeconomic statuses. Between World War I and World War II the medicine within these tropical areas really evolved and grew. After the second war, health planning and public health crisis management became extremely important because of all of the spread of diseases through refugees and the travels of militaries during war times. Primary health care became a focus, advocating that people seek out medical professional help for health issues. This time was one of public health reform and a time of testing new methods. I could use this in my research to show how the history of public health reform can be a good thing and should be considered for acceptance by communities today.

Chapter 5 Annotations

Berridge, Virginia. (2016). Public Health: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, United Kingdom. Retrieved from Oxford University Press.

From 1900 to 1980 the public health field greatly advanced. Welfare clinics and healthcare facilities were created during World War I while the public health focus shifted to women and children while husbands were away. New illness were appearing and increasing mortality rates such as many sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis. While mortality due to these issues was on the rise, after the war issues with alcohol and other disease issues began to decline. In this time, education became an extremely important factor of public health. More responsibilities were delegated to public health professionals, yet there was still no real definition or concrete goal for what public health really was at the time. War times were difficult for everyone and every aspect of life, and the hope was that situations would improve after the war. However, this was not the case. Improvements after the war were tedious and slow. Public health focus went from focused on the individual and social medicine to chronic diseases and the lasting effects of diseases as opposed to what the causes of these issues actually were. Methods such as quarantine and vaccination became less important in the public health field in this time as focus shifted to smokers and diet. Again, this information could be used in my research as the shifts in public health and reforms took place, just as there should be some in current times.

Discussion Section

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Chapter 4 Annotations

Berridge, Virginia. (2016). Public Health: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, United Kingdom. Retrieved from Oxford University Press.

When England became the first to industrialize, public health became more pertinent as the concerns for clean water and sanitation was essential. Focus within the public health field had previously been on the community as a whole, but during this time it grew to be more individually focused. The implementation of sanitation and clean water practices during the time of urban growth and industrialization improved the life expectancy of individuals and improved other areas of public health as well. Later, in the 19th century, cholera became an issue, and outbreaks lead to the beliefs that doctors wanted people to get sick with cholera so that they could be studied. These outbreaks led to trials of different public health methods, such as quarantine, which was ineffective. Again, poverty and low socioeconomic status was directly related to these cholera outbreaks, leading Britain to create Poor Laws which dealt with the lower class and issues surrounding those in that status. This type of disbelief in doctors and methods can be used in my research and related to my topic because there are some people today that are still against what science says, often rebelling against doctors and their recommendations.

Chapter 3 Annotations

Berridge, Virginia. (2016). Public Health: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, United Kingdom. Retrieved from Oxford University Press.

Chapter three beings by describing the origins of the public health field, which begin in the18th century. It is believed that the Greek physician, Hippocrates, is where the origin of public health lies, specifically with healing and medicine. However, the main issues that were being faced during this time were sanitary bathroom facilities as well as having access to drinking water. Hippocrates believed in the “balance of the humors” for humans, which consisted of exercise, massage, diet, and humoral therapy. In a way this can be related to homeostasis in current times, which is a complete functioning of all human systems working together in harmony. While the Greeks paved the way to begin the public health field, the Romans followed suit and were the first to adequately provide clean water through their aqueduct system. While these systems evolved over time, as part of public health, many beliefs and evolutions originated from traditions and knowledge of medicines within each culture and society. As time goes on and expands into the Middle Ages, populations grew as well as resources. However, along with this expanse came new diseases and public health issues rose. As trading grew popular among different areas, the spread of diseases and health issues continued to grow as did the concerns with public health. Most diseases ravaged lower class and slum areas because of access to basic health necessities. I believe that this is relatable to current issues in the public health field and how those that are of low socioeconomic status do not have the same access and privileges as those of higher status. Hopefully, I can relate this to my research and explain the differences for those in different socioeconomic statuses even today.

Methods Section


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Chapter 2 Annotations

Berridge, Virginia. (2016). Public Health: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, United Kingdom. Retrieved from Oxford University Press.

The challenges within the public health field are forever changing, as told by Berridge, which are inevitable and continuing. Under the three levels of public health, global, national, and local, the goals differ but the priority of a healthy population as a whole remains the same. This chapter in Berridge’s book is intended to help us understand the challenges with the broad agenda that the public health field faces. This chapter speaks of how lifestyle is a direct cause of certain health risks. Lifestyle is usually a choice made by a person, with certain exceptions, but some do not realize the obvious and sometimes not so obvious health risks associated with the lifestyle choices that they make. Many believe that screening is a type of prevention for these lifestyle risks, usually done by a physician. However, it takes more than just screening; it takes modification and adjustment of this lifestyle as well. Not only is modification essential for prevention of lifestyle health risks, it is also necessary to spread awareness and be informed. Homeostasis is pertinent here, not only physically, but to be of sound mind as well. Many have always considered the public health field as only medical and physical health, not considering the fact that the broad field actually encompasses all aspects of health, including mental and emotional health as well. While many believe this stigma, it has been mostly removed and allowed for the public health field to grow and expand in to a wide variety of areas allowing for a more in depth review of what public health really is. This information will help me in my research by explaining how knowledge, awareness, and education are catalysts to enable people to live fully healthy lifestyles regardless of sex, race, age, and socioeconomic status.

Chapter 1 Annotations

Berridge, Virginia. (2016). Public Health: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, United Kingdom. Retrieved from Oxford University Press.

This introduction of the public health field and its evolving history is used to show how important the overall general health of society is and how it came to be the field that it is today. Berridge explains how the field of public health is actually an umbrella term for the abundant positions and departments that reside under the term public health. Over time the interpretations and definitions of public health have changed and evolved, but what remains true is that the field of public health is still a broad topic that is interpreted differently for everyone. Change and evolution of the definitions of the public health field, and of populations in general, as described by Berridge, are significant in understanding what the field of public health actually is and what its goals should be on all levels. As the world becomes more advance and sifts towards reforms and policy changes, the public health field also reforms and shifts. These shifts guide where the field is headed and what the ultimate goals are; which is a healthy population. Most of these shifts are guided by the government, at all levels of public health, not just local and national. I believe that these shifts and reforms can be used in my research by relating to my topic and how government reforms are happening in some places in regards to my topic, as well as the pushback from community, which also happens often in the public health field. The importance of a healthy population as a whole relies on the public health field to continuously re-evaluate its goals and objectives, at the government level, but also at the community level as well.

Results Section

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Synthesis Proposal


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Synthesis Matrix 6-10


Link to Google Doc Version


Author/
Date
Aim of Study
Type of Literature/
Type of Method
Results/
Conclusion
Strengths/
Limitations
Thematic Codings
Setting/
Context
Lei, Y. (2015)
Examine the perceptions about what would happen if there were mandatory influenza vaccinations for healthcare workers.
Mixed methods and research.
There is a poor perception of influenza vaccine in general, but also in the heath care setting.
Only evaluation was done through online comments and news stories.
Concerns about freedom of choice, vaccine effectiveness, and patient safety.
Response to news stories and online comments.
Orenstein, W.A. (2013)
Determine strategies to promote influenza vaccine coverage for health care professionals as advised by the Healthy People 2020 campaign.
Expert opinion and research.
Influenza vaccination is  the most effective strategy at prevention, and there should be a program with incentives for health care workers.
Information advice comes from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee which has some biased towards getting health care workers vaccinated.
How to promote vaccinations among health care workers and improve vaccinations rates.
Review of information by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee.
Cortes-Penfield, N. (2014)
Explaining why a mandatory influenza vaccination for health care workers should be the standard of care because of matters regarding patient safety and nonmaleficence practice.
Expert opinion and research.
Opposition to mandatory influenza vaccinations remains high, even from government agencies like OSHA. However, there can be incentive programs.
This is an expert opinion based article of one person. So there is biased towards his opinion.
What the standard of care should be regarding mandatory influenza vaccination.
Expert opinion peer-reviewed article.
Kim, H. (2015)
Evaluating the 2012 Rhode Island health care worker influenza vaccination regulations: the implementation process and what the vaccination coverage was like.
Cross - sectional evaluation and survey.
More than 96.6% of employees did end up getting vaccinated with this implementation, the rest wore masks or were not allowed in certain areas of health care facilities.
Survey was in depth and data came from employee records which were electronically recorded so unable to be altered.
Implementations of influenza vaccination regulations for health care workers.
117 health care facilities in Rhode Island
Schmid, P. (2017)
Reviewing vaccination hesitancy from 2005-2016 in health care workers for the influenza vaccine
Cross - sectional evaluation and survey, and expert opinion.
There are barriers to certain risk groups preventing vaccination, but education and incentive programs raised vaccination rates for health care workers.
It is mostly a collection of data that is already out there, and not only focused on health care workers. Has a good conclusion of why people are hesitant for vaccinations and immunizations
Barriers to vaccination causing hesitance.
Data collected on hesitance and barriers for vaccination from 2005 - 2016.

Synthesis Matrix 1-5


Link to Google Doc Version

Author/
Date
Aim of Study
Type of Literature/
Type of Method
Results/
Conclusion
Strengths/
Limitations
Thematic Codings
Setting/
Context
Anikeeva, O. (2009)
Examine the implications for requiring the influenza vaccination for health care workers.
Research.
Despite vaccination benefits with requiring influenza vaccination, the vaccination rate remains lower than the recommended levels to achieve herd immunity.
Research is mostly based on opinions and data already provided, not a study.
There are ethical issues for requiring influenza vaccination in health care workers despite the benefits of herd immunity
Research into ethics for policies requiring influenza vaccinations in health care workers.
Leask, J. (2010)
Examine the views of health care workers about the possibility of a mandatory influenza vaccination.
Cohort study - interviews.
A higher percentage of this group supported mandating influenza vaccination rates than that of those who did not support it. However, including influenza in the mandated vaccinations would bring up 4 major issues to be addressed.
Getting opinions of the professionals in the health care setting provide insight into opinions and behaviors of workers in that field.
Mandatory vaccinations and immunizations for health care workers.
37 health care workers from New South Wales, Australia.
Van Buynder, P.G. (2015)
To determine the benefits of health care worker vaccination over the mask policy: a look at cost effectiveness and reduction in absenteeism.
Review and retrospective cohort study.
Those vaccinated had less absenteeism than those who were not vaccinated for the influenza season, as compared to pre-influenza season.
All data of employees was used from pre-influenza season and during influenza season where sick hours are easily recorded.
Vaccinations reduce cost for health facilities by also reducing absenteeism.
Employees of Fraser Health Authority in the years 2012/2013. Not including volunteers and contracted workers.
Scatigna, M. (2016)
Examine the variables that determine whether a health care worker gets vaccinations and exploring possible mechanisms for mediating this process.
Cross - sectional study.
Education and knowledge of vaccinations from self reportings in health care workers was low for all categories. A mediation mechanism was seen as a possible advantage.
Self reported data and anonymous questionnaires are not necessarily reliable because who knows how a person interprets something or whether or not they are accurately reporting information.
Vaccination education and implementation for health care workers was low and mediation efforts to encourage vaccinations are likely helpful to raise the number of people vaccinated.
334 Health care workers from a local hospital in L’Aquila, Italy took part in an anonymous questionnaire and self reported data.
Maltezou, H. (2016)
Determining the necessity for immunizations/vaccinations amount health care workers and looking at public health policies surrounding these issues.
Research article and review.
Voluntary immunization and vaccination policies have not demonstrated adequate immunization and vaccination
There is a wide range of data for immunizations and vaccination practices and policies over time which is a strength and limitation at the same time.
Voluntary immunization and vaccination policies and practices.
Research on data about voluntary immunization and vaccination practices and policies over the past 3 decades.

Wednesday 15 March 2017

Research Journal #3

What is your research question? Have you decided to change it at all? And, if you have, how do I know that the way in which this question is formulated is appropriate to conduct a literature review with a systematic approach?
My research question is: Is it important for all health care workers to be required to get the Influenza vaccine in order to work in a specific facility, or should this be a personal choice, or at least have specific acceptions related to health or disabilities?
There were no real changes made between the last research journal and this one about my research question.


Five new sources directly relevant to my resarch + type of source + its relevance +one interesting fact.
Article #1 (data collection and analysis) =
Lei, Y., Pereira, J. A., Quach, S., Bettinger, J. A., Kwong, J. C., Corace, K., . . . Guay, M. (2015). Examining Perceptions about Mandatory Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Workers through Online Comments on News Stories. Plos One, 10(6). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0129993

I found this journal article in PubMed to be extremely interesting. It may be too unreliable for my actual research question; however, it does in fact set the premise for the perceptions that are out there on social media and other ways regarding what people think of having mandatory Influenza Vaccination for health care workers. All of the data was collected via British news sites and social media that contain the words "healthcare workers" and "mandatory influenza vaccinations/immunizations" or "mandatory flu shot and health care workers". These words are looking at exactly what my research question is directed towards. I would love to use this article like I said as a premise for the attitudes towards mandating Influenza vaccines in health care workers. The snap below shows how the journal article used data collection and expert analysis for their research and results.


Article #2 (Expert Opinion) =
Orenstein, W. A., Gellin, B. G., Buck, T., Jackson, L. A., Larussa, P. S., Mason, J. O., . . . Lewin, C. (2013). Strategies to Achieve the Healthy People 2020 Annual Influenza Vaccine Coverage Goal for Health-Care Personnel: Recommendations from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee. Public Health Reports, 128(1), 7-25. doi:10.1177/003335491312800103

This Article is evidence based on reliable expert opinion from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee. The ultimate goal in the eyes of the NVAC is to have a Healthy People 2020 coverage goal among health care personnel. One thing this article states in the very first sentence is that the flu, or Influenza is a huge public health issue. I always thought it was as well, but not many people consider the flue to be a huge public health issue. I also thought the death from Influenza statistic would also be a great addition to my resource and backup evidence for the fact that not having Influenza is in fact a public health issue. I also think that the recommendations of the NVAC to implement strategies in order to raise the rate of vaccines in health care workers is a good idea to consider for implementation in my results.


Article #3 (Expert Opinion) =
Cortes-Penfield, N. (2014). Mandatory Influenza Vaccination for Health Care Workers as the New Standard of Care: A Matter of Patient Safety and Nonmaleficent Practice. American Journal of Public Health, 104(11), 2060-2065. doi:10.2105/ajph.2013.301514

This article directly relates to my research project by looking at expert opinions on the mandatory influenza vaccination for health care workers as just a typical standard of care. The thing I would like to use most from this journal is the section about Health Care Worker Vaccination and Patient Health. This section talks about how the trials researched in this journal article have proven that the influenza vaccination of health care workers has reduced the number of deaths and diseases in patients. I also really enjoyed seeing the Safety and Burden of Influenza Vaccination section because it also explores the other side of the question, such as the risks of the vaccines, the burdens, and the possible adverse events that could go along with the vaccine. This is another great section that has a lot of take-a ways for my results and research.


Article #4 (Survey and Evaluation) =
Kim, H., Lindley, M. C., Dube, D., Kalayil, E. J., Paiva, K. A., & Raymond, P. (2015). Evaluation of the Impact of the 2012 Rhode Island Health Care Worker Influenza Vaccination Regulations. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 21(3). doi:10.1097/phh.0000000000000128

This article is directly related to my article because it examines a specific case where the impact of the 2012 Rhode Island Health Care Worker Influenza Vaccination Regulations were evaluated. I think this journal is important to my research because it is a specific case relating to my research question. I think that the methods of data collection and surveys were used in a good way so that the data that was collected is reliable. I also like that the journal included the facility’s policy on the Influenza vaccine. This is important so that an in-place policy could be examined for research as well.


Article #5 (Survey and Evaluation and Expert Opinion) =
Schmid, P., Rauber, D., Betsch, C., Lidolt, G., & Denker, M. (2017). Barriers of Influenza Vaccination Intention and Behavior – A Systematic Review of Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy, 2005 – 2016. Plos One, 12(1). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170550

This article is related to my research question because it examines the hesitancy in getting the Influenza vaccine which could provide reasons for the resistance against mandatory Influenza vaccines among health care workers. In the examination of hesitancy section there are several potential barriers proposed by researchers for why the Influenza vaccine may be resisted. These potential barriers are definitely something I would like to take away for my research in order to better examine why health care workers may not want to get the Influenza vaccine while working in a health care setting. I also would like to take away the goals section where the journal article talks about potential ways to remove the hesitancy against the Influenza vaccine for health care workers.

In Class Work 2/6 + 2/8

Research Journal #2

What is your topic? Or what are your key words thus far?
My topic is requirement of the Influenza vaccine in health care workers. So far my key terms are:
Health Care Worker
Influenza Vaccine
Required
Choice
Theory
Expert Opinion
Risk


What is your research question? Have you decided to change it at all? And, if you have, how do I know that the way in which this question is formulated is appropriate to conduct a literature review with a systematic approach?
My research question is: Is it important for all health care workers to be required to get the Influenza vaccine in order to work in a specific facility, or should this be a personal choice, or at least have specific acceptions related to health or disabilities?
And what are the definitions on which it depends?
My question depends on four key terms, all of which are linked to the literature. Those terms are:
Theory = a basis or ground on which practitioners make decisions; whatever self-conscious, widely available rationale informs their decision-making processes
Health Care Worker= I mean this as a broad term of any persons that is working or volunteering in a health care setting.
Influenza Vaccine = This term is very specific to the Influenza or "flu" vaccine.
Required = This term can be taken in a specific or broad way, but it is to help me find the research that talks about the risks and benefits with requiring a health care worker to get the Influenza Vaccine.


What is your hierarchy of evidence? And how do I know you going about finding the most appropriate evidence/method for your research question?
I feel that the below hierarchy of evidence would be the best order for finding the most appropriate research and question, with some of the types of evidence being equally important. The fact of requiring an immunization to work somewhere would be a policy, so that is first, but then would follow with practice, theory, and expert opinion because they are all needed in order to really dive in deeper with the articles and evidence that I find.
Policy
Practice
Theory
Expert Opinion
Studies about the risks vs. benefits of the requiring the Influenza vaccine


How do I know that the remit of the method itself is selecting the research, rather than just you on a whim? + 1 thing you found interesting + how you imagine using the source
Article #1 =
Anikeeva, O., Braunack-Mayer, A., & Rogers, W. (2009). Requiring Influenza Vaccination for Health Care Workers. American Journal of Public Health,99(1), 24-29. doi:10.2105/ajph.2008.136440

This Article is about the potential benefits for workers, patients, and their families if it was required for health care workers to recieve the Influenza Vaccination. It was published by the American Public Health Association.Below is a picture of the first bit of this journal article which I believe is a great start in providing me with the information I need to answer my research question.


Article #2 =
Leask, J., Helms, C. M., Chow, M. Y., Robbins, S. C., & Mcintyre, P. B. (2010). Making influenza vaccination mandatory for health care workers: the views of NSW Health administrators and clinical leaders. New South Wales Public Health Bulletin, 21(10), 243. doi:10.1071/nb10042

I also found this article to be significant in my research about requiring vaccinations for health care workers. It comes from PubMed and is mostly a theory based article that talks about the challenges that would come with requiring the influenza vaccination in healthcare workers worldwide. This particular screenshot is interesting to me because it begins to talk about incentivs which I had not thought about before.


Article #3 =
Buynder, P. V., Konrad, S., Kersteins, F., Preston, E., Brown, P., Keen, D., & Murray, N. (2015). Healthcare worker influenza immunization vaccinate or mask policy: Strategies for cost effective implementation and subsequent reductions in staff absenteeism due to illness. Vaccine, 33(13), 1625-1628. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.01.048

This article is directly related to my project, requiring the Influenza vaccine for health care workers or letting it be a personal choice and having reserve factors related to health or disability issues. It is related because it directly looks at strategies and effective implementation of requiring the vaccine. It also looks at ways to reduce the number of health care workers that do not get the influenza vaccine.I find it interesting that the below picture shows that the incentives for the Influenza vaccine really did work because of those that got it the number of flu sick hours was significantly reduced.


Article #4 =
Scatigna, M., Fabiani, L., Micolucci, G., Santilli, F., Mormile, P., & Giuliani, A. R. (2016). Attitudinal variables and a possible mediating mechanism for vaccination practice in health care workers of a local hospital in L'Aquila (Italy). Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 13(1), 198-205. doi:10.1080/21645515.2016.1225638

This article directly relates to my project because it is looking at more ways to get all health care workers in a local hospital vaccinated. This is the basis for my project and it is seen to be done through incentives.

Article #5 =
Maltezou, H., & Poland, G. (2016). Immunization of Health-Care Providers: Necessity and Public Health Policies. Healthcare, 4(3), 47. doi:10.3390/healthcare4030047

This article talks about the immunization of health care workers being necessary and actual public health care policy. That is why this is a policy article but also observational study. It also includes a bit of expert opinion. All of these are exactly what I am looking for in my hierarchy of evidence, so this is the perfect article for research for my project.

Anything else interesting happen?
Nothing else really interesting happened this week.

Explaining My Project

Research Journal #1

What was the process by which you narrowed down potential topics to two appropriate ones? And how were these decisions made on the basis of either class discussion, or our required, course textbook (Aveyard 2014), or both?
So far I have had difficulty with the process of choosing my topic and getting going. Originally, I thought I wanted my topic to be about vaccinations among those that already have compromised immune systems, but I could not seem to find enough research on that topic. That being the case, I eventually changed to vaccinations among health care workers. This of course could probably be narrowed down to more specific vaccinations, because according to class discutions it is good to have a specific topic that has enough evidence and research backing it up. I feel that the topic of vaccinations among health care workers is a good start for me because right now because not only am I Public Health major here at UNR, but I am hoping to go on to nursing school and work in a professional health care setting. Based on the discussions in class I feel that the later topic that I have thought about is the better one because it has enough research for me to ask the following question: Is it important for all Health Care workers be required to get vaccinated in order to work in the facility, or should it be up to them as a personal choice?
The decision was made to use this question after finding multiple journals and articles on PubMed and within the American Journal of Public Health, as well as proposing my toppic to Professor Gossi and getting reassurance that it was a good choice.


What research question did you choose, and how are I can be sure you're making a reasoned, academic judgement on the basis of chapters 1-3 (Aveyard 2014)?
My research question is, "Is it important for all health care workers to be required to get vaccinated in order to work in a specific facility, or should this be a personal choice, or at least have specific acceptions related to health or disabilities?" After doing the reading I decided to add a little bit more to the question about having specific acceptions because it created a little bit more room for information by making a broader topic and question overall.


What article (or articles) are you basing this question on, and what type of article is it (research, theory, policy, practice) (citation[s] in APA, please)?
Anikeeva, O., Braunack-Mayer, A., & Rogers, W. (2009). Requiring Influenza Vaccination for Health Care Workers. American Journal of Public Health,99(1), 24-29. doi:10.2105/ajph.2008.136440
This Article is about the potential benefits for workers, patients, and their families if it was required for health care workers to recieve the Influenza Vaccination. It was published by the American Public Health Association.Below is a picture of the first bit of this journal article which I believe is a great start in providing me with the information I need to answer my research question.

Leask, J., Helms, C. M., Chow, M. Y., Robbins, S. C., & Mcintyre, P. B. (2010). Making influenza vaccination mandatory for health care workers: the views of NSW Health administrators and clinical leaders. New South Wales Public Health Bulletin, 21(10), 243. doi:10.1071/nb10042
I also found this article to be significant in my research about requiring vaccinations for health care workers. It comes from PubMed and is mostly a theory based article that talks about the challenges that would come with requiring the influenza vaccination in healthcare workers worldwide.

How can I be sure that the key vocabulary of the question corresponds not only to literature in the field, but also to chapter 1-3 (Aveyard 2014)?
Initially it was hard for me when I was working with the terms compromised immune system, which is why I was so pleased when I changed my research question and terms about requiring health care workers to get vaccinated. I have found that most of these journal articles include the word Influenza Vaccine, so I should be considering that as part of my question as well. I have also found that there is plenty of research using the key words: requiring heal care workers to get vaccinated.


Based on what your question is, what kind of literature are you going to need? Again, please explicitly reference the text (Aveyard 2014). What is your hierarchy of evidence?
In the order of importance going downward (those are the top are the most important) (cf. pg. 69 Aveyard):
1. Observational Studies and Theory
2. Expert Opinions
3. Comparison of the Risks


How exactly did you research question arise out of "practice"?
My research question arose out of practice because the articles that I have been using are peer reviewed articles, and that is what helped me narrow down and finalize my research question, as well as talking to Professor Gossi.


How do you define your key terms, and how do these definitions link to key journals in the field?
Health Care Workers
Health Care Setting
Vaccination or Vaccine or Vaccinated
Influenza
Flu
Required
Risks


Did anything unexpected happen? From you initial search, does it appear as though your research question will work? Or does the vocabulary and/or type of research sought need to be changed?
Nothing too out of the ordinary changed with this research. However, I do believe that I need to reqord my topic a little, and posisbly narrow it down even more by adding the more narrow topic of specifically the Influenza Vaccination.


Any final thoughts?
My new research question is: Is it important for all health care workers to be required to get the Influenza vaccine in order to work in a specific facility, or should this be a personal choice, or at least have specific acceptions related to health or disabilities?"

Sunday 5 February 2017

Choosing A Topic

After carefully considering the two topics of vaccinations among health care workers, and vaccinations in people with compromised immune systems, I have chosen the topic of vaccinations among health care workers. I chose this topic based on the availability of results on the topic within the American Journal of Public Health over the last 10 years.
The main article from the American Journal of Public Health that convinced me that vaccinations among health care workers was a better topic is entitled “Requiring Influenza Vaccination for Health Care Workers”. This article really focuses on the ethics of having health care workers vaccinated for influenza within a professional setting for professional reasons and protection. The implications of many different efforts in order to increase these vaccinations were observed and evaluate. This even included mandatory influenza vaccinations for health care workers. However, the conclusion of the article was that health care workers may feel more inclined to get the influenza vaccination if there was a program incentive or sanction, rather than requiring a mandatory vaccination which could have any ethical hindrance in the office.


Wang, E., Clymer, J., Davis-Hayes, C., & Buttenheim, A. (2014). Nonmedical Exemptions From School Immunization Requirements: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Public Health,104(11). doi:10.2105/ajph.2014.302190

Anikeeva, O., Braunack-Mayer, A., & Rogers, W. (2009). Requiring Influenza Vaccination for Health Care Workers. American Journal of Public Health,99(1), 24-29. doi:10.2105/ajph.2008.136440

Below is a picture of where I left off in my search within the American Journal for Public Health. This is where I would like to pick up my search when I go back to researching my topic.


Thursday 26 January 2017

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