Browsing by Subject "Naturalistic Inquiry"
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Item Impact of Physical Environment of a Rehabilitation Facility on the Social Support and Interaction Patterns of Spinal Cord Injury Patients and their Family and Friends: A Naturalistic Inquiry(2014-04-29) Setya, NidhiPrevious research has demonstrated the positive effects of family and friends support on the overall well-being of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) rehabilitation patients. This study explores the ways in which physical environment can provide for social support to SCI patients in inpatient rehabilitation in order to improve their health outcomes. Since there is not enough literature available in the field of architecture to help in the development of hypotheses to be tested related to the physical environment of the social situation, the researcher aimed to develop a theory for future studies. This study was conducted as a naturalistic inquiry. Ten medical staff caring for the patient group and currently working at Willis-Knighton Health System (WKHS), Shreveport, LA were interviewed in order to understand their perceptions regarding the effect of the healthcare environment on the quality of interaction between patients and their family and friends. The results indicated that caregivers believed patient rooms to have highest potential of providing quality patient-family interaction because patients spend most of their days in their rooms. Physical Therapy gym, Occupational Therapy gym and leisure room (day room) were also discussed as important places that patients and families could use together. Lack of enough space was thought to be the biggest barrier in the nature of their interaction. Implications of this study are that additional studies are required to determine the minimum space requirement for SCI patient rooms with family zone. Architectural design of these spaces should account for the functional space requirement.Item Mothers' Perceptions of Community Integration Opportunities for Children with Disabilities in Qatar(2009-12-14) Abbs, Alyn KThis study analyzed the perceptions of mothers of children with disabilities in Qatar. This interpretive work included components of the methodology of both cultural study and translation study. Mothers' responses in Arabic and Farsi, were translated, separated, and analyzed through inductive analysis of data from translated interviews according to 22 thematic categories. Translators were questioned after each interview, and the personal interactions with mothers, both verbally and non-verbally, provided added substance to the delicate process of naturalistic inquiry. Forty mothers of one or more children with moderate to severe disabilities from age four to 19 participated in the interviews. Their children attended the same education center for children with disabilities in Doha, Qatar. Mothers shared about their daily routines with their children, activities within the home, activities in the community, and needs they saw within the community to remove social and physical barriers that hindered access to the community for those with disabilities. Due to a high prevalence rate of disability and social issues that limited access to service provisions, many individuals with disabilities had not received services in Qatar. The pervasive need for community resources, such as genetic counseling, appropriate medical facilities and care, and appropriate and inclusive schooling opportunities were reported. At the most basic levels of the education system, children with disabilities need to be present to foster greater awareness and acceptance of persons with disabilities. The education reform in Qatar has instituted change on a small scale level for a few children with mild disabilities, but this effort must be further expanded. The data showed various impacts of disability on families. Results indicated that disability changed the way daily life was carried out and the activities that families participated in together within the home. Disability also readjusted the way families participated in the community. Community integration or lack thereof, affected the family life of those with children with disabilities in Qatar. These data reflected a lack of resources in a community where mothers expressed a desire for a more inclusive atmosphere for individuals with disabilities.