Research Publications (Health Sciences)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/216
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Item Spiritual wellness as a tool against the effects of a pandemic : experiences of some Australian families in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic(Otjivanda Presse.Essen, 2023-10-18) Dorasamy, Jirushlan; Bhagwan, RaisuyahBased on the mixed feelings as to whether spirituality offers wellness during trouble times, this study explored how families used spiritual wellness as a tool against the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective was to understand the participant’sspiritual wellness in order to find out the impact of the pandemic on their specific aspects of spiritual wellness and then to determine the spiritual pathways they used to manage their challenges during COVID-19, as well as further recommendations made by participants toward enhancing spiritual wellness in the future especially during crisis situations, such as the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. The aftermath effect of the pandemic still lingers among many lives today. Therefore, knowing how some used spiritual wellness as a dimension of wellness to overcome the chaos will be a lesson for many to consider. The study followed a qualitative approach (interviews), involving 12 families based in Melbourne, Australia, to examine how the pandemic impacted their spiritual wellness, the pathways of wellness they used as they transitioned through the pandemic, as well as recommendations made by families going forward.. The findings revealed that spiritual wellness was maintained through engaging in virtual spiritual activities, keeping a positive spirit, and being motivation, while practicing yoga and meditation offered optimism, hope, and confidence as well as positive feelings about the future. This attests to the fact that, spirituality can serve as a great source of power that can transcend beyond all situations to generate wellnessItem Occupational wellness approaches among families who transitioned through the COVID-19 pandemic(2023-08-14) Dorasamy, Jirushlan; Bhagwan, RaisuyahThe worldwide outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected various dimensions of human wellness. More so, the various protocols implemented to mitigate the spread of the pandemic had significant effects on the occupational wellness dimension. This study explored the occupational wellness challenges experienced by some families in Melbourne, Australia, during the COVID-19 pandemic and the strategies they used as they transitioned through the pandemic. The study framed three possible inductive themes aligned to the impact of COVID-19 on specific aspects of occupational wellness, pathways to the management of occupational wellness during COVID-19, and recommended future changes to occupational wellness by the sampled families in Melbourne, Australia. The study findings indicated that COVID-19 had both positive and negative effects on the occupational wellness of the families. The strategies of the families are worthy for consideration, for future approaches to deal with any pandemic. It is expected that the proper adoption of the proposed strategies to cope with occupational wellness will significantly contribute toward occupational wellness for individuals and families facing occupational wellness challenges, especially during pandemicsItem COVID-19 Pandemic : physical wellness approaches used by Australian families in Melbourne(2023-03-21) Bhagwan, Raisuyah; Dorasamy, JirushlanThe global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected all dimensions of human well-being. Protocols established to mitigate the spread of the epidemic have had significant results on levels of well-being related to physical fitness. This study discusses the disposal practices of several households in Melbourne, Australia, during the Covid-19 pandemic and the transition through the pandemic. The study addressed five potential factors including pre-Covid-19 physical fitness, the overall impact of Covid-19 on physical fitness, the incidence and use pathways of Covid-19 on specific aspects of physical fitness. . A critical analysis of the COVID-19 physical fitness and suggested changes in households for physical fitness in research. According to the results of the study, the epidemic had both positive and negative effects on the physical well-being of the family. They outline the household's strategy for future possibilities to deal with any epidemic. It is expected that appropriate implementation of the suggested strategies will significantly contribute to the physical well-being of individuals and families facing physical well-being challengeItem The preparedness of emergency care providers to deal with death, dying and bereavement in the pre-hospital setting in Dubai(Paramedics Australasia, 2019-09-02) Conning, Reon; Naidoo, Raveen; Bhagwan, Raisuyah; Naidoo, R.; Bhagwan, R.; Mana Bin Ahmad, S.Introduction This study sought to investigate how prepared emergency care providers are to deal with death, dying and bereavement in the pre-hospital setting in Dubai, and to make recommendations related to such events. Methods A quantitative descriptive prospective design was utilised. Data was collected using an online self-report questionnaire sent to all operational emergency care providers in the Dubai Corporation of Ambulance Services. The data was analysed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0. Results Nearly 65% of participants (n=316) reported that they had not received any formal education or training on death, dying and bereavement. Those that did, reported that the training was conducted mainly by nursing (25.9%; n=124) and paramedic (13.6%; n=65) instructors. One-quarter of participants (25.4%; n=126) reported experiencing intrusive symptoms such as sleep loss, nightmares and missing work as a result of a work-related death or dying incident, but only 4.1% (n=20) had received professional counselling. Conclusion This study found that emergency care providers are underprepared to deal with death, dying and bereavement. A comprehensive death education program encompassing the unique challenges that emergency and pre-hospital setting presents should be implemented to reduce emotional anxiety and help emergency care providers cope better with death, and decrease abnormal grief reactions of the bereft. Abnormal grief reactions can include restlessness, searching for the lost person and disrupted autonomic nervous system functions.Item Towards the institutionalisation of community engagement in higher education in South Africa(AFRICAN SUN MeDIA, 2020-12-01) Bhagwan, RaisuyahAlthough discourse related to the salience of community engagement in higher education has proliferated, little has focused on the process of institutionalisation of community engagement in South Africa. This paper presents findings from a national study that explored how community engagement could be institutionalised at higher education institutions locally. A qualitative research approach was used to guide the study and semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with members of executive management, members from the directorate and office of community engagement and academics from six universities nationally. Data revealed that there were eight key factors deserving of consideration in order to institutionalise community engagement through teaching and research, student involvement, transforming institutional infrastructure and through community partnerships.Item Critical issues underpinning the safe transfer of ill neonates : a review of the literature(Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science, Edith Cowan University, 2021-05-18) Bhagwan, RaisuyahIntroduction Critically ill neonates often require urgent transport to a neonatal care facility shortly after birth. The safe transfer of ill neonates is a critical part of their continuum of care. Methods A review of the empirical work and literature around the safe transfer of ill neonates was undertaken to explore what factors influence a safe transfer. Results What emerged was that a multitude of adverse events influence the clinical deterioration of the neonate, including the physiological condition of the neonate, equipment-related challenges and the unpreparedness of those involved to deal with neonatal clinical emergencies. Conclusion This review highlights the necessary equipment required, the nature of clinical emergencies that may arise, and the need to consider utilising specialised neonatal transfer units to effect the safe transfer of the critically ill neonate.Item Towards a safer and more efficient neonatal transfer system in South Africa : a qualitative inquiry with advanced life support paramedics(Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science, Edith Cowan University, 2021-05-18) Bhagwan, Raisuyah; Ashokcoomar, PradeepIntroduction The inter-healthcare transfer of the critically ill neonate is a critical aspect of larger neonatal intensive care, as it influences the safe transport of neonates from the receiving to the referring hospital. It is crucial then that the transfer process be safe and efficient so as not to compromise the already fragile condition of the neonate. The aim of the study was to understand the challenges advanced life support (ALS) paramedics face during neonatal transfers and to understand how the process could be made safer and more efficient. The objectives related to understanding the transfer process, the challenges linked to the critically ill neonate and the difficulties associated with the ambulance vehicle and equipment. Methods Using a qualitative research approach we sought the views of ALS paramedics at the forefront of transfers nationally. In-depth interviews were held with eight paramedics in KwaZulu-Natal and four focus group discussions with ALS paramedics in KwaZuluNatal, Gauteng, Free State and the Western Cape in South Africa. A total of 35 ALS paramedics were involved in these group discussions. Results The study uncovered several challenges that paramedics face related to poor organisational preparation for transfer of the critically ill neonate, and other crucial issues that compromise the transfer such as inadequate or defective equipment. Conclusion There is a need for greater scrutiny of the transfer process and a commitment from stakeholders to begin addressing the challenges confronting the safe transfer of critically ill neonates.Item Spirituality and spiritual care in the context of nursing education in South Africa(AOSIS, 2015-12-17) Chandramohan, Sandhya; Bhagwan, RaisuyahIn order for nursing education to prepare nurses for holistic patient care, it is critical that educators become more aware of the religious and spiritual dimensions in patient care and be able to provide adequate knowledge and skills for nurses to offer spiritually-based care in an ethical way. Furthermore, spiritual care is an essential component in the nursing context, as nurses have to care for patients who may often turn to the spiritual dimension to cope and heal. These aspects are important issues to be considered in planning what should be taught as part of spiritual care. OBJECTIVES: This paper presents findings from a study on nursing practitioners' views on the role of spiritual care in nursing practice and whether current nursing education has integrated this dimension into teaching. METHOD: A descriptive survey using a cross-sectional design with 385 nurses was conducted between December 2012 and February 2013. Participants were recruited through multistage random sampling. Data analysis was undertaken using SSPS 0.20. RESULTS: All the participants (n = 385) concurred that spiritual care was a salient component of holistic patient care. They however stated that the primary barriers to providing spiritual care related to uncertainty on how to provide this type of care, and a lack of educational preparedness for this role. CONCLUSION: The study found that nurses were very accepting of the need for spiritual care as part of their nursing role but that nursing education had not paid adequate attention to integrating this dimension into the nursing curriculum.Item Spirituality in social work in South Africa : insights from a survey with academics(Sage Publications, 2013-05) Bhagwan, RaisuyahHistorically, spirituality has shared a tenuous position with social work. Scholarship underpinning its relevance to client well-being and anti-oppressive practice has proliferated, entrenching its niche in education. In South Africa, very little empirical work exists except for a survey with final year social work students. This article presents findings made with a national survey of academics: 66 educators from 16 universities participated indicating positive views on spirituality in education and practice in South Africa.