A metasynthesis of qualitative studies regarding opinions and perceptions about barriers and determinants of health services’ accessibility in economic migrants

Background: Access to health services is an important health determinant. New research in health equity is required, especially amongst economic migrants from developing countries. Studies conducted on the use of health services by migrant populations highlight existing gaps in understanding which factors affect access to these services from a qualitative perspective. We aim to describe the views of the migrants regarding barriers and determinants of access to health services in the international literature (1997–2011). Methods: A systematic review was conducted for Qualitative research papers (English/Spanish) published in 13 electronic databases. A selection of articles that accomplished the inclusion criteria and a quality evaluation of the studies were carried out. The findings of the selected studies were synthesised by means of metasynthesis using different analysis categories according to Andersen’s conceptual framework of access and use of health services and by incorporating other emergent categories. Results: We located 3,025 titles, 36 studies achieved the inclusion criteria. After quality evaluation, 28 articles were definitively synthesised. 12 studies (46.2%) were carried out in the U.S and 11 studies (42.3%) dealt with primary care services. The participating population varied depending mainly on type of host country. Barriers were described, such as the lack of communication between health services providers and migrants, due to idiomatic difficulties and cultural differences. Other barriers were linked to the economic system, the health service characteristics and the legislation in each country. This situation has consequences for the lack of health control by migrants and their social vulnerability. Conclusions: Economic migrants faced individual and structural barriers to the health services in host countries, especially those with undocumented situation and those experimented idiomatic difficulties. Strategies to improve the structures of health systems and social policies are needed.

Opinions about judo athletes’ image

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate opinions of persons who are involved with judo about judo athletes’ personality. METHODS: For this purpose 132 coaches, athletes, students of Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (DEPESS) and students of military school answered to a 35-item questionnaire describing their image towards judo athletes, in regard to social, volition, active, physical and emotional nature. RESULTS: statistical analysis showed that all the groups rated from the average, to somewhat strong and, also, to strong, while coaches rated higher to the most items. More specifically, one way ANOVA revealed significant differences, with coaches rating significantly higher, in the items of “being healthy” in physical nature (F=2.85, p<0.05), in items “having proper manner” and “being sincere” in social nature, (F=3.41, p<0.05 and F=3.09, p<0.05 respectively), “being positive” in active nature (F=3.95, p<0.05). Also in the items “being mild” (F=3.04, p<0.05), “being cheerful” (F=3.60, p<0.05) and “being carefree” (F=2.98, p<0.05) in emotional nature. Moreover, students of military school rating significantly higher in the item of “being cautious” in active nature (F=2.51, p<0.05) and in the item of “having power of concentration” in active nature both students of military school and of DEPESS rating significantly higher (F=5.66, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The high rating in the most items might be due to the nature of the attitudes provided and cultured during the judo lessons, practice time and matches. Moreover, the differences between the groups for the coaches group might be observed because they have the most real image for judo athletes.

The impact of marketing practices and its regulation policies on childhood obesity. Opinions of stakeholders in Spain

The aim of this study was to identify Spanish stakeholders’ views on the relationship between childhood obesity and the marketing and advertising of food and beverages aimed at children in Spain, as well as on the corresponding of regulations. We performed a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with Stakeholders/Key Informants (KI) from 13 organisations: experts (2), consumer advocates (1), public health advocates (2), food manufacturers (2), advertising advocates (1), government representatives (1), child/family/school advocates (2) and media (1). The variables studied were Prevalence of childhood obesity and its relationship to marketing/advertising and Regulation of marketing. In order to identify the most relevant arguments (pearls) in the discourses, a blind independent analysis by four members of the research team was performed. We found that the prevalence of childhood obesity was perceived to be higher than the European average. Self-regulation was identified as the main form of marketing control. Only food manufacturers and advertising agencies considered voluntary action and supervisory procedures to be effective. The other stakeholders advocated state control through legislation and non-state actions such as external assessment and sanctions. Despite the divergence of opinion between stakeholders, there was agreement on the need to improve supervision and to ensure compliance with current self-regulatory codes in Spain.

Mrs. Kadiato Kamara: an expert dyer in Sierra Leone / Loretta Reinhardt, Assistant Professor, Erindale College, University of Toronto --

v.66:no.2(1976)

Opinions filed by the commissioners acting under the VII. article of the Treaty of Amity Commerce and Navigation between Great Britain and the United States of America : manuscript, 1797-1799

Opinions concerning the 7th article of the treaty.

Opinions in cases of debt, 1748-1749

Opinions rendered in cases brought against Thomas Barker, executor of the estate of Robert Forstor, by James and Roger Barlow (executors of the estate of Thomas Forster), Sibylla Price, and Richard Foster. The attorney for all plaintiffs was Samuel Swann.

Characteristics of Expert Development in Rhythmic Gymnastics: A Retrospective Study

The development of expertise for two groups of rhythmic gymnasts was studied where a group of elite (Olympic) gymnasts was compared to a group of sub‐elite (International) gymnasts. Structured interviews were used to collect retrospective information about the gymnasts’ health, training resources, level and ranking, and hours spent in training activities. The gymnasts rated practice activities during the last period of their development (age 16 and older) with respect to their perceived physical effort, mental concentration, and fun. The Olympic gymnasts were involved in significantly fewer activities and sports throughout their development compared to the International gymnasts. All gymnasts reported engaging in five practice activities of warm‐up, ballet, technique training, routines, and conditioning in their rhythmic gymnastics training. Olympic gymnasts allocated substantially more time to the practice activities of ballet, technique, routines, and conditioning, compared to the International gymnasts. Olympic gymnasts also rated their health as lower than the International gymnasts. All gymnasts reported that the practice activities of technique and routine training required more physical effort and mental concentration than warm‐up, ballet, and conditioning. The Olympic gymnasts reported experiencing less fun in their participation overall. The findings of this study provide a comprehensive description of early activity involvement, training activities, training resources, and health and injury ratings of expert level rhythmic gymnasts and help to further the understanding of how to assess sport expertise development

Cognitive Characteristics of Expert, Middle of the Pack, and Back of the Pack Ultra-Endurance Triathletes

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine cognitive differences between expert and non-expert UE triathletes. Design Twenty-one UE triathletes were stratified according to finishing times into three groups; experts (<9.5 h), middle of the pack (∼12.5 h), and back of the pack triathletes (>14.0 h). Methods Cognition was examined using a think-aloud protocol with the aid of a video montage of segments from an UE triathlon representing periods of high decision-making or cognition. Inductive qualitative analyses supported the classification of athlete cognitions as passive, active, or proactive. Results Expert triathletes reported a greater emphasis on thoughts related to their performance, while middle of the pack and back of the pack triathletes reported a greater number of passive thoughts. Furthermore, experts were more proactive in their approach to performance situations than mid- and back-pack triathletes. Conclusions Expert UE triathletes are cognitively different from non-experts, although future research is needed to determine the role these differences play in promoting expert performance.

Sport-Specific Practice and the Development of Expert Decision-Making in Team Ball Sports

The role of sport-specific practice in the development of decision-making expertise in the sports of field hockey, netball, and basketball was examined. Fifteen expert decision-makers and 13 experienced non-expert athletes provided detailed information about the quantity and type of sport-specific and other related practice activities they had undertaken throughout their careers. Experts accumulated more hours of sport-specific practice from age 12 years onwards than did non-experts, spending on average some 13 years and 4,000 hours on concentrated sport-specific practice before reaching international standard. A significant negative correlation existed between the number of additional activities undertaken and the hours of sportspecific training required before attaining expertise, suggesting a functional role for activities other than sport-specific training in the development of expert decision-making.

The Contribution of Structured Activity and Deliberate Play to the Development of Expert Perceptual and Decision-Making Skill

The developmental histories of 32 players in the Australian Football League (AFL), independently classified as either expert or less skilled in their perceptual and decision- making skills, were collected through a structured interview process and their year-on-year involvement in structured and deliberate play activities retrospectively determined. Despite being drawn from the same elite level of competition, the expert decision-makers differed from the less skilled in having accrued, during their developing years, more hours of experience in structured activities of all types, in structured activities in invasion-type sports, in invasion-type deliberate play, and in invasion activities from sports other than Australian football. Accumulated hours invested in invasion-type activities differentiated between the groups, suggesting that it is the amount of invasion-type activity that is experienced and not necessarily intent (skill development or fun) or specificity that facilitates the development of perceptual and decision-making expertise in this team sport.

Effective Behaviors of Expert Rowing Coaches: A Qualitative Investigation of Canadian Athletes and Coaches

Ten Canadian expert rowing coaches and 10 Canadian elite rowers were interviewed regarding their perceptions of effective coaching behaviors. The questions of the interview guide focused on coaches' behaviors in training, competition, and organization settings. Qualitative data analyses revealed seven behaviors elicited by coaches and athletes. Effective coaching behaviors perceived as important by both athletes and coaches were; 1) plan proactively, 2)create a positive training environment, 3)facilitate goal setting, 4)build athletes' confidence, 5) teach skills effectively, 6)recognize individual differences, and 7)establish a positive rapport with each athlete.