Biomedical subjects

Gail Whiteford

Publications and source records attributed to Gail Whiteford.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Conceptual and practical issues in qualitative research: reflections on a life-history study.

Although qualitative research is becoming increasingly popular as a means of understanding not only occupation but also a range of other human health-related phenomena, the complex conceptual underpinnings of the paradigm remain relatively unexplored in the literature. This article addresses such a perceived gap. Context specificity, emic perspectives, its iterative nature, and power relations are four distinct conceptual dimensions of qualitative research that are discussed. The article also includes reflections on conceptual dimensions and practical issues in relation to a qualitative study that adopted a life history approach. These reflections highlight how the conceptual dimensions underpinning qualitative research guide the process in life-history research and shape the experience of life-history researchers. The practical considerations, which focus on participant qualities, effects on the researcher and the participant-researcher relationship, are particularly relevant for potential life-history researchers. The article concludes with a discussion on the value of life-history as a qualitative research approach for occupational therapy and occupational science.

Humans↗

PubMed2003

Role of multi-purpose service programs providing residential aged care in rural Australia: a discussion paper.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if multi-purpose service (MPS) Programs deliver improved residential aged care as opposed to traditional rural hospitals. DESIGN: A variation on comparative-experimentalist: type 4. In this design 2 groups providing different service models of rural health services are compared. SETTING: Six MPS Programs and three traditional hospitals in rural New South Wales. SUBJECTS: Key stakeholders--area representatives, health service managers, MPS managers, doctors, staff, MPS or hospital committee members and consumer groups including residents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To analyse the ability of MPS Programs to deliver quality residential aged care as opposed to using traditional hospitals for such services. RESULTS: Multi-purpose service programs provided better residential environments and greater flexibility of service provision. There were few apparent differences between the two service models in regard to organisational culture and training. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this evaluation suggest that in the provision of residential aged care in rural communities, MPS Programs demonstrated better standards of care than traditional hospital based services.

Aged↗