Category: research

 
DETAILS:

Write up an executive summary (2 – 3 pages)and create a project plan (on a Spread sheet) in either MS Project (PC), Apple Merlin (MAC), or Excel spread sheet.

PART 1: Write an executive summary for the attached Business Plan on EMR. (2 – 3 pages)

PART 2: Write a project plan in Microsoft Project, Apple Merlin, or Excel Spread sheet for the attached Business plan on EMR. (On a spread sheet separate from the Executive summary Doc.)

1. Examine the attached Business Plan: Extract the distinct activities needed to start up the business: (a) Identify tasks needed to complete the project. (b) Develop a completion schedule. (c) Assign resources to project tasks.
2. Be creative. For example: If your plan calls for three nurses, you will need to plan for hiring, and training. Create arbitrary timelines for each activity. They could be very general (2 weeks to hire, 2 weeks to train) or they could dive much deeper (1 week to write hiring ad, 1 week to place ad, 2 weeks to accept applications, 1 week to review, 3 weeks for interviews, 1 week for offer-letters, 2 weeks to establish in HR system, etc.). Do this for each section of the (attached) Business Plan.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a grading rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

RUBRIC:

30.0 %Executive Summary (Executive summary provides a complete, concise overview of all phases of the proposed project. Needed information is presented cogently, providing the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the project. Style is engaging and fresh, capturing the reader’s attention. Presents a compelling case for the project’s usefulness.)
60.0 %Organization and Effectiveness
60.0 %Project Plan (Plan is comprehensive; all requirements stated in the assignment criteria are present. Numerous useful and interesting details are included. Demonstrates a high level mastery of converting a business plan into a project plan.)
10.0 %Format
10.0 %Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use) (Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.)

LECTURE:

Introduction
Projects are everywhere. Some examples are the replacement of an old bridge with a new one, the widening of a section of highway, constructing a new office building down the street, or the creation of a new computer game. What characteristics do all of these projects have in common? They are nonroutine, complex, and a one-time effort. What limits exist across all of these projects? They all have budget, time, and resource constraints that affect their completion. Completion involves meeting some documented end state, such as a specification or set of customer requirements. The Project Management Institute (PMI) views project characteristics in more general terms: nonroutine is considered temporary, and meeting customer needs is generalized as creating a “unique product, service, or result” (2004, p. 5). More specifically, PMI defines a project as “a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service” (PMI, 2004, p. 4).

The Project Lifecycle
While there are many lifecycle approaches to managing a project, the traditional project lifecycle will be the focus here. The five phases of the traditional project lifecycle include:
• Initiation
• Planning
• Execution
• Control
• Closeout

The Initiation Phase involves evaluating whether the project should be undertaken and, if so, defining the project’s scope. The Planning Phase includes creating a detailed project scope definition, a schedule, and a budget; identifying risks; selecting resources; and completing/approving the final project plan. The Execution phase typically takes longer than the other phases, and involves the actual implementation of the project plan, including creation of project deliverables. The Control Phase primarily involves monitoring project progress and making adjustments to the project plan, resources, etc., as needed, to ensure successful completion of project deliverables. The Closeout Phase involves the administrative tasks necessary to ensure that all deliverables were accomplished per the project scope of work, and redeployment of resources to other projects.

Elements of Project Management
Project Management Institute (PMI, 2004) provides the most widely accepted articulation of the elements−also referred to as knowledge areas−of project management. The elements of project management include:
• Project Scope Management
• Project Quality Management
• Project Time Management
• Project Cost Management
• Project Risk Management.
• Project Contract/Procurement Management
• Project Human Resource Management
• Project Communications Management
• Project Integration Management

Project Management and Organizational Strategy
Another factor in project management involves strategic planning. Strategic planning helps an organization define its overall mission, objectives, goals, and strategies−all of which give direction to the organization. Part of project management involves creating harmony and a supportive relationship between an organization’s strategic plan and the particulars of the project undertaken. One way to implement strategy is through projects. A successful organization’s projects will be clearly linked to the organization’s strategy (Gray & Larson, 2008). Various projects need to be completed by the organization in order to reach the desired destination. These projects may be internal or external to the organization. External projects often are performed as services to the organization’s customers.

Project Portfolio Management
The concept of managing an investment portfolio can be applied to project management. For example, an investor purchases stocks, bonds, and the like to support the company’s goals and objectives, which are part of the investor’s overall strategic mission (e.g., to retire early). The individual investment choices within that portfolio require that the investor understand the particulars of each and how they relate to other investments within the portfolio, as individual investments impact the entire portfolio. Investors reduce risk by holding some investments that balance other investments. For example, an investor may invest in a resort hotel that does well in sunny weather and in an umbrella factory that does well during the rainy season. The two investments relate to each other and reduce the risk of the overall portfolio.

With regard to project management, the equivalents of individual investments are the organization’s projects that are undertaken to implement and support the mission. Similar to an investment portfolio, a portfolio of projects involves individual project factors and relationships between project factors. Also included are the relationships between the projects and the organization’s strategic plan. Just as with an investment portfolio, an organization’s project portfolio requires balance and making tradeoffs.

Conclusion
A project is defined as “a temporary endeavor to create a unique product or service” (PMI, 2004, p. 4). PMI provides the most widely accepted articulation of the elements (also referred to as knowledge area) of project management; a total of nine elements exist. The five phases of the traditional project lifecycle are essential to creating and implementing any project. Project development can be seen everywhere. All projects have budget, time, and resource constraints that affect their completion.
Project management links an organization’s strategic plans with a portfolio of projects. An organization’s projects exist in relationship to each other. Using a systems view, one can easily see these linkages and patterns. An organization manages its portfolio of projects to support its strategic plans.

 
I have included the Research Database Assignment Form in this requirement along with the Guidelines and Rubics.

Research Database Assignment – Week 3
Guidelines and Grading Rubric
PURPOSE
You are to locate and document research databases that relate to a significant clinical nursing issue of your choice. The research databases may be labeled as such, or may be collections of research studies and reports. You are not looking for research or articles, you are looking for new databases.
COURSE OUTCOMES
This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcome:
CO 1: Examine the sources of evidence that contribute to professional nursing practice. (PO #7)
DUE DATE: You are to identify a total of five research databases (or collections of research-based evidence) that are relevant to a significant clinical nursing issue that is important to you.
POINTS
The assignment is worth a total of 175 points. Please see the grading rubric for details.
REQUIREMENTS
1. Choose a topic of interest to you that is a significant clinical nursing issue. Please note that the databases you identify could be useful sources of information for your Capstone project in NR451, so choose your topic thoughtfully.
2. . Your paper does NOT need to follow APA formatting; however, you are expected to use correct grammar, spelling, syntax, and write in complete sentences.
3. Save the file by clicking Save as and adding your last name, e.g., NR439_Research Database_Smith.docx.
4. Describe your topic of interest. This is worth 15 points.
5. Locate a total of five research databases related to your topic. Each research database description is worth 30 points. You may search for these in various locations, e.g., the Internet or the CCN Library. You may NOT choose the databases that are already familiar to you – MEDLINE, PUBMED (which also indexes MEDLINE), GOOGLE SCHOLAR, and CINAHL. Instead, you are expected to expand your knowledge of evidence-based sources. Places to help you begin include your textbook, which lists databases and websites that report research. The Chamberlain online library (https://library.chamberlain.edu) gives you access to several databases and provide tutorials for searching. Government sites such as those at the National Institutes of Health offer collections of research on a variety of subjects. The key to choosing the databases is that each contains research-based evidence that also pertains to your topic of interest. Again you are looking for new databases to use in the future and not articles related to your nursing clinical issue.
6. Review each database to gather information to create a description for the assignment. Each description must:
a. identify the title of the research database;
b. describe the location of the research database in a way that a reader could find it. This should be the URL. This URL should take you to the home page of the database.
c. name owner or publisher of the source;
d. describe the research database. This must be in your own words and not copied and pasted from the original source. Include the purpose of the database and the subject matter it covers. This may be two to three sentences; and
e. explain how the research found in the database relates to your topic of interest. This may be an two or three sentences.
7. Submit to the Research Database basket in the Dropbox by 11:59 p.m. MT Sunday at the end of Week 3. Please post question about this paper in the Q & A Forum.
EXAMPLE
The following is an example of a description for JBI:
Title of Database: Joanna Briggs Institute for Evidence-Based Nursing and Midwifery
Location of Database (URL): www.joannabriggs.edu.au
Owner or publisher of Database: Joanna Briggs Institute for Evidence-Based Nursing and Midwifery (JBI)
Describe (in your own words) the research database or collection of research including the purpose and the subject matter it covers:
The Joanna Briggs Institute is an international not-for-profit Research and Development Organization that provides evidence-based resources for healthcare professionals in nursing, midwifery, medicine, and allied health. Those with membership are able to obtain evidence-based practice information from systemic reviews, evaluation reports, electronic journals, best-practice information, and consumer healthcare information.
Explain how the source relates to your topic of interest:
JBI is relevant to my topic of interest because it provides reports, systemic reviews, journal
articles, and best-practice information on current issues in healthcare. Hospital
readmissions are a major issue in healthcare. The database had several resources
addressing the problem of hospital readmissions and identifying strategies for
improvement.
GRADING CRITERIA
Category Points % Description
Topic Description 15 points 9% Identify a topic of interest that pertains to a significant clinical nursing issue. Provide a brief description of the topic and why it was chosen.
Research Database 150 points
(30/database) 86%
(17% each)
Title, location, and owner/ publisher (15/database) • Identify, by title, a research database, or collection of research that is relevant to nursing.
• Describe the location of the research database or collection of research, i.e., a URL.
• Name the owner and/or publisher of the database.
Description, purpose, and relevance to topic (15/database) • Describe in your own words the research database or collection of research. Include the purpose of the database and the subject matter it covers.
• Explain how the database relates to your topic of interest.
Writing 10 points 5% Properly name the file for submission. Include your name on the form. Write in complete sentences with no grammar, spelling, or syntax errors.
Total 175 points 100%

GRADING RUBRIC
Assignment Criteria A
Outstanding or Highest Level of Performance B
Very Good or High Level of Performance C
Competent or Satisfactory Level of Performance F
Poor, Failing, or Unsatisfactory Level of Performance Total
Topic Description
(15 points) Identifies a nursing issue. Describes in detail the significance of the topic and why it is of personal interest.
14–15 points Identifies a nursing issue. Describes in general why it is important to nursing or why it is of personal interest.
13 points Identifies a nursing issue, but makes a weak case for why it is significant in general and of personal interest in particular.
12 points Does not identify a nursing issue, e.g., identifies a medical topic, or fails to describe why the topic was chosen.
0–11 points /15
Research Database Description:
Title, location, and owner/publisher
(15 points for each database) Selects a research database or collection that has relevance to nursing. Identifies the title of the database or collection.
Gives the correct location of the database so that the reader can find it. Names the owner or publisher of the database.
14–15 points Selects a research database that has relevance to nursing. Gives the general location but the reader cannot necessarily find it. Correctly identifies the owner or publisher.
13 points Selects a source that reports research relevant to nursing, but is not a research database or collection.
Gives a location that can’t be found, or fails to properly identify the owner.
12 points Selects a nursing resource that does not report research, or selects a research database and describes an article instead of the database. Or fails to identify any source.
0-11 points /15
Research Database Description:
Purpose and relevance to topic of interest
(15 points for each database) Describes in detail the research database or collection.
Includes the purpose of the subject matter of the database.
Explains how the database relates to your personal topic of interest.
14–15 points Describes briefly the research database or collection. Includes the purpose of the database. Explains how it relates to your topic of interest.
13 points Partially identifies the database or collection and its purpose. Explains how it relates to your topic of interest.
12 points Gives the name of the database, but fails to describe it. Describes article and not database.Give no purpose, or an incorrect purpose. Fails to explain how it relates to your topic of interest.
0–11 points /15
Clarity and Writing
(10 points) Writes with no grammar, spelling, syntax, or other errors.
10 points Writing contains one to two errors of any type.
9 points Writing contains three to four errors of any type.
8 points Writing contains five or more errors.
0–7 points /10
TOTAL /175

Research Database Assignment Form

Type your answers to the following questions using complete sentences and correct grammar, spelling, and syntax. Click Save as and save the file with your last name and assignment, e.g., NR439_Research_Database_Smith. Submit to the Research Database basket in the Dropbox by 11:59 p.m. MT Sunday at the end of Week 3. The guidelines and grading rubric for this assignment may be found in Doc Sharing.
Name: [replace this text with your name]
Describe briefly your topic of interest/research question (15 possible points):

#1 Database (or collection) (30 possible points):
Title of Database:

Location of Database (URL):

Owner or publisher of Database:

Describe (in your own words) the research database or collection of research including the purpose and the subject matter it covers:

Explain how the database relates to your topic of interest/question:
#2 Database (or collection) (30 possible points):
Title of Database:

Location of Database (URL):

Owner or publisher of Database:

Describe (in your own words) the research database or collection of research including the purpose and the subject matter it covers:

Explain how the database relates to your topic of interest/question:
#3 Database (or collection) (30 possible points):
Title of Database:

Location of Database (URL):

Owner or publisher of Database:

Describe (in your own words) the research database or collection of research including the purpose and the subject matter it covers:

Explain how the database relates to your topic of interest/question:
#4 Database (or collection) (30 possible points):
Title of Database:

Location of Database (URL):

Owner or publisher of Database:

Describe (in your own words) the research database or collection of research including the purpose and the subject matter it covers:

Explain how the database relates to your topic of interest/question:
#5 Database (or collection) (30 possible points):
Title of Database:

Location of Database (URL):

Owner or publisher of Database:

Describe (in your own words) the research database or collection of research including the purpose and the subject matter it covers:

Explain how the database relates to your topic of interest/question:

n

CAPSTONE PROJECT: RESEARCH PAPER
PURPOSE
Write a coherent, grammatically correct research paper based on your annotated bibliography. You may also draw on the research you did for earlier papers (1,500 words not counting the works cited). This paper will cite at least four credible sources, two of which are scholarly articles.
RHETORICAL SITUATION
Your intended audience is an academic audience. This audience includes the faculty, staff, and students at your school. It values thorough research, insists that all claims are supported with evidence or reasoning, and appreciates clear writing in which terms are defined and sentences are easy to understand.
DETAILS OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The paper should
• Follow APA format for the title page, abstract, pagination, parenthetical citations, works cited page, etc.
• Have an introduction that
o states your research question
o states a thesis sentence that answers your research question and states the main idea of your paper
• Use APA organization for the introduction and section headings. Each section should have a title that reflects an idea or question you had during your research process.
• Have body paragraphs that contain supporting grounds for the thesis claim. What is your evidence? How is that evidence connected to your argument? Why should the reader agree with your grounds?
• Consider at least one rebuttal to the thesis. What is at least one objection to your argument?
• Respond to the rebuttal by either using a qualifier to acknowledge the limits or your argument or by explaining why that rebuttal is a fallacy.
• Be organized by idea, not source. Synthesize sources by explaining how they support or contradict eachother.
• Be organized logically. Think about the order in which you arrange your sections. What ideas does the audience need to know first? What idea do you want to leave your audience thinking about at the end?
• Contain transitions between paragraphs and from sentence to sentence in each paragraph.
• Cite at least ten credible sources, three of which are scholarly articles.
SUBMITTING THE PAPER
Submit the paper online before class.

I uploaded the 10 sources since my professor required me to use sources from the library only.

 

Share a Research Database Description
Review the guidelines and grading rubric for the Research Database Assignment due in Week 3. Search for ONE research database that is relevant to your nursing clinical issue, briefly describe the issue you are investigating, and use the instructions on the form provided in Doc Sharing to write your review. Briefly describe your process for locating databases that contain relevant research studies. Did you have any difficulties or face any challenges?

Research Database Assignment � Week 3
Guidelines and Grading Rubric
PURPOSE
You are to locate and document research databases that relate to a significant clinical nursing issue of your choice. The research databases may be labeled as such, or may be collections of research studies and reports. You are not looking for research or articles, you are looking for new databases.
COURSE OUTCOMES
This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcome:
CO 1: Examine the sources of evidence that contribute to professional nursing practice. (PO #7)
You are to identify a total of five research databases (or collections of research-based evidence) that are relevant to a significant clinical nursing issue that is important to you.
REQUIREMENTS
1. Choose a topic of interest to you that is a significant clinical nursing issue. Please note that the databases you identify could be useful sources of information for your Capstone project in NR451, so choose your topic thoughtfully.
2. Download the NR439_Research_Database_Form from Doc Sharing and type information about each database directly onto the form. Your paper does NOT need to follow APA formatting; however, you are expected to use correct grammar, spelling, syntax, and write in complete sentences.
3. Save the file by clicking Save as and adding your last name, e.g., NR439_Research Database_Smith.docx.
4. Describe your topic of interest. This is worth 15 points.
5. Locate a total of five research databases related to your topic. Each research database description is worth 30 points. You may search for these in various locations, e.g., the Internet or the CCN Library. You may NOT choose the databases that are already familiar to you � MEDLINE, PUBMED (which also indexes MEDLINE), GOOGLE SCHOLAR, and CINAHL. Instead, you are expected to expand your knowledge of evidence-based sources. Places to help you begin include your textbook, which lists databases and websites that report research. The Chamberlain online library (https://library.chamberlain.edu) gives you access to several databases and provide tutorials for searching. Government sites such as those at the National Institutes of Health offer collections of research on a variety of subjects. The key to choosing the databases is that each contains research-based evidence that also pertains to your topic of interest. Again you are looking for new databases to use in the future and not articles related to your nursing clinical issue.
6. Review each database to gather information to create a description for the assignment. Each description must:
a. identify the title of the research database;
b. describe the location of the research database in a way that a reader could find it. This should be the URL. This URL should take you to the home page of the database.
c. name owner or publisher of the source;
d. describe the research database. This must be in your own words and not copied and pasted from the original source. Include the purpose of the database and the subject matter it covers. This may be two to three sentences; and
e. explain how the research found in the database relates to your topic of interest. This may be an two or three sentences.
7. Submit to the Research Database basket in the Dropbox by 11:59 p.m. MT Sunday at the end of Week 3. Please post question about this paper in the Q & A Forum.
EXAMPLE
The following is an example of a description for JBI:
Title of Database: Joanna Briggs Institute for Evidence-Based Nursing and Midwifery
Location of Database (URL): www.joannabriggs.edu.au
Owner or publisher of Database: Joanna Briggs Institute for Evidence-Based Nursing and Midwifery (JBI)
Describe (in your own words) the research database or collection of research including the purpose and the subject matter it covers:
The Joanna Briggs Institute is an international not-for-profit Research and Development Organization that provides evidence-based resources for healthcare professionals in nursing, midwifery, medicine, and allied health. Those with membership are able to obtain evidence-based practice information from systemic reviews, evaluation reports, electronic journals, best-practice information, and consumer healthcare information.
Explain how the source relates to your topic of interest:
JBI is relevant to my topic of interest because it provides reports, systemic reviews, journal
articles, and best-practice information on current issues in healthcare. Hospital
readmissions are a major issue in healthcare. The database had several resources
addressing the problem of hospital readmissions and identifying strategies for
improvement.?
GRADING CRITERIA
Category Points % Description
Topic Description 15 points 9% Identify a topic of interest that pertains to a significant clinical nursing issue. Provide a brief description of the topic and why it was chosen.
Research Database 150 points
(30/database) 86%
(17% each)
Title, location, and owner/ publisher (15/database) � Identify, by title, a research database, or collection of research that is relevant to nursing.
� Describe the location of the research database or collection of research, i.e., a URL.
� Name the owner and/or publisher of the database.
Description, purpose, and relevance to topic (15/database) � Describe in your own words the research database or collection of research. Include the purpose of the database and the subject matter it covers.
� Explain how the database relates to your topic of interest.
Writing 10 points 5% Properly name the file for submission. Include your name on the form. Write in complete sentences with no grammar, spelling, or syntax errors.
Total 175 points 100%

GRADING RUBRIC
Assignment Criteria A
Outstanding or Highest Level of Performance B
Very Good or High Level of Performance C
Competent or Satisfactory Level of Performance F
Poor, Failing, or Unsatisfactory Level of Performance Total
Topic Description
(15 points) Identifies a nursing issue. Describes in detail the significance of the topic and why it is of personal interest.
14�15 points Identifies a nursing issue. Describes in general why it is important to nursing or why it is of personal interest.
13 points Identifies a nursing issue, but makes a weak case for why it is significant in general and of personal interest in particular.
12 points Does not identify a nursing issue, e.g., identifies a medical topic, or fails to describe why the topic was chosen.
0�11 points /15
Research Database Description:
Title, location, and owner/publisher
(15 points for each database) Selects a research database or collection that has relevance to nursing. Identifies the title of the database or collection.
Gives the correct location of the database so that the reader can find it. Names the owner or publisher of the database.
14�15 points Selects a research database that has relevance to nursing. Gives the general location but the reader cannot necessarily find it. Correctly identifies the owner or publisher.
13 points Selects a source that reports research relevant to nursing, but is not a research database or collection.
Gives a location that can�t be found, or fails to properly identify the owner.
12 points Selects a nursing resource that does not report research, or selects a research database and describes an article instead of the database. Or fails to identify any source.
0-11 points /15
Research Database Description:
Purpose and relevance to topic of interest
(15 points for each database) Describes in detail the research database or collection.
Includes the purpose of the subject matter of the database.
Explains how the database relates to your personal topic of interest.
14�15 points Describes briefly the research database or collection. Includes the purpose of the database. Explains how it relates to your topic of interest.
13 points Partially identifies the database or collection and its purpose. Explains how it relates to your topic of interest.
12 points Gives the name of the database, but fails to describe it. Describes article and not database.Give no purpose, or an incorrect purpose. Fails to explain how it relates to your topic of interest.
0�11 points /15
Clarity and Writing
(10 points) Writes with no grammar, spelling, syntax, or other errors.
10 points Writing contains one to two errors of any type.
9 points Writing contains three to four errors of any type.
8 points Writing contains five or more errors.
0�7 points /10
TOTAL /175

Research Database Assignment Form
Type your answers to the following questions using complete sentences and correct grammar, spelling, and syntax.
Describe briefly your topic of interest/research question (15 possible points):

#1 Database (or collection) (30 possible points):
Title of Database:

Location of Database (URL):

Owner or publisher of Database:

Describe (in your own words) the research database or collection of research including the purpose and the subject matter it covers:

Explain how the database relates to your topic of interest/question:
#2 Database (or collection) (30 possible points):
Title of Database:

Location of Database (URL):

Owner or publisher of Database:

Describe (in your own words) the research database or collection of research including the purpose and the subject matter it covers:

Explain how the database relates to your topic of interest/question:
#3 Database (or collection) (30 possible points):
Title of Database:

Location of Database (URL):

Owner or publisher of Database:

Describe (in your own words) the research database or collection of research including the purpose and the subject matter it covers:

Explain how the database relates to your topic of interest/question:
#4 Database (or collection) (30 possible points):
Title of Database:

Location of Database (URL):

Owner or publisher of Database:

Describe (in your own words) the research database or collection of research including the purpose and the subject matter it covers:

Explain how the database relates to your topic of interest/question:
#5 Database (or collection) (30 possible points):
Title of Database:

Location of Database (URL):

Owner or publisher of Database:

Describe (in your own words) the research database or collection of research including the purpose and the subject matter it covers:
Explain how the database relates to your topic of interest/question:

 
Please be aware that this will be a protocol of my research. I will give you a brief explanation the I will provide you my colleague work that I will do the same thing. I am going to implementing the intervention then looking in depth may be then interviewing the GPs (general practitioners) or patients who come to or did not come the office (doing it in structured manner). please have a look to these work down as I am going to select 2 practices to work with. I am providing my colleagues’ work just to give you an Idea about what can been done.
Hypnotic Audit & Review 2014/15 X Surgery

Practice prescribing of hypnotics & benzodiazepines is measured and compared at a local (prescribing performance) and a national (QIPP indicator) level.

Why Audit?

* Continuing concern over long term use (1)

* Taking a benzodiazepine and/or hypnotic was associated with double the risk of death from any cause compared with no prescription for these drugs. Dose-response associations were found and there were approximately 4 excess deaths linked to these drugs per 100 people followed for an average of 7.6 years after their first prescription. (2)

* Driving whilst under the influence of drugs is a significant cause of injuries and deaths on the road. (3)

* Patients are not always given appropriate information and advice on the risks associated with long term use (4):

* Tolerance & addiction

* Drowsiness, clumsiness, forgetfulness, confusion, impaired judgement

* Falls & fractures – in people older than 60 years, these drugs are associated with an increased risk of falling of between 50-70% in relative terms. (5)

* Association with increased risk of dementia and increased cancer incidence in those prescribed high doses (6)

How is usage measured? Hypnotic ADQ per STAR PU – This is a measure of the total quantity of Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs prescribed, weighted for age and sex of a practice’s population.

At the start of the project x Surgery was the 4th highest prescriber out of 50 East Berkshire practices. x Surgery Q2 (Oct-Nov 13) 2013/14 ADQ 461

What action was taken in X Surgery?

1. Practice meeting to agree course of action with all prescribers. A consistent message is vital for success and helps to prevent patients pressurising or singling out a particular GP.

2. Search – patients prescribed these drugs during April – July 2013.

* Exclusion criteria: Housebound, care/nursing home (reviewed separately by care home pharmacist & responsible GP) and palliative care patients; one off supplies e.g. for back spasm, fear of flying and for epilepsy treatment.

3. Analysis consistently shows that a simple letter intervention reduces benzodiazepine use in patients who have been using them long-term (7). Letter sent to remaining patients to:

* Explain concern over the patient’s long-term use of named hypnotic/s

* Highlight potential side effects when taken over a prolonged period.

* Ask the patient to consider a reduction in their use. – Include advice on how to gradually reduce or cease use in a manner that is feasible and will decrease the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms.

* Invite the patient to discuss the issue further with own GP or by booking into pharmacist led clinic.

4. For those receiving a letter, these drugs were moved from repeat to acute and limited to 56 days supply.

5. A 2nd short reminder letter sent to non responders 3 months after the initial letter, also informing the patient that the maximum length of supply was now 30 days in line with CD regulations (June 2014).

6. Posters advertising clinics and detailing risks of long term use put up in waiting rooms

7. Agree initiation & prescribing policy for new prescribing – support leaflet supplied

8. Full range of support leaflets and reduction schedules available in all consulting rooms.

9. Monthly pharmacist (independent prescriber) led clinics offering 20 minute appointments. Scope of practice demonstrated by Benzodiazepines learning module via MHRA Training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and personal CPD records.

10. Reception staff / prescription clerks’ informed.

11. Raised awareness with local community pharmacies by providing self help leaflets & posters

Main audit observations

o 196 patients prescribed hypnotics, 95 patients prescribed benzodiazepine, 25 prescribed both.

o Included 37 patients care home residents

o 4 RIP during project

o Age range 5 – 101 years

o Length of supply range 1 day – 100 days

o 99% on repeat

o 107 patients with fall/fell in consultation, recording total of 238 falls, often leading to GP appointments, OOH/MIU/A&E attendances & hospital admissions. This included 14 fractures, 54 A&E/admitted and at least 3 road traffic accidents.

o There was occasional documentation of addiction & tolerance discussions.

Clinic Protocol

o Identify & address any underlying cause of insomnia, anxiety & depression

o Promote non drug therapies such as sleep hygiene methods and relaxation techniques using diaries & self help leaflets.

o Involve patient support network

o Guided by patient, negotiate flexible, gradual withdrawal schedule

o Convert to diazepam if appropriate

o Rebook for review, ongoing support and encouragement as appropriate

o Continue dose reduction at pace comfortable to patient

o Monitor withdrawal effects until stopped completely or at lowest dose to control effects of withdrawal. Where complete withdrawal may not be an achievable goal there is still benefit to be gained in reducing use to the minimum effective dose. (Ref BNF).

o Revisit benefits of stopping at every contact

o Highlight risks for drivers, including details of the proposed 2015 drug driving offence for those affected.

o Link patient into support services (Talking Therapies, SMART/T2, age concern, Community Veterans Mental Health Service)

What were the potential barriers to success?

* Not perceived to be a problem

* Cheap drugs – budget not affected

* Time & impact required

* More commonly used Z drugs are perceived to be safer than temazepam

* Patient resistance

* Limited support programmes available within mental health services

Results

Number of patients seen/telephoned by GPs was not measured. Number of pharmacist led clinic sessions 14 (First clinic January 2014: Last clinic January 2015)

> Number of patients seen 45

> Number of patient appointments attended 97

> Number of DNA 2

X Surgery Q2 (Oct-Dec 13) 2013/14 ADQ 461

X Surgery Q2 (Oct-Dec 14) 2014/15 ADQ 263

After the conclusion of the project, X surgery (Q2 2014/15) moved from 4th highest hypnotic ADQ per STAR PU prescribers to 29th out of 50 practices and below England average.

The inclusion of this prescribing performance indicator meant that all 50 practices received a consistent message regarding harms of long term use together with the offer of additional support material. A decrease can be seen by a large number of practices.

No other practice achieved the same magnitude of reduction as X surgery (as seen in Graph 1 below), who had received a higher level of support in terms of education, letters sent to patients and pharmacist led clinics over this time period. (Latest epact data available Q2 14/15)

Graph 1 – highlighting X Surgery

Medication Results: [12 month time period Oct12 – Nov13 vs Oct13 – Nov 14 (ePACT)]

The number of items dispensed decreased by 572, despite changing prescriptions to 30 days supply and thereby potentially increasing the number of items ordered.
Melatonin prescribing remained stable, indicating patients had not been switched to melatonin as a non hypnotic alternative.

OUTCOMES – Benefit to individual, practice and wider public health agenda

* Keeping patients from harm by reducing exposure to side effects

* Patient in control, involved in own healthcare decisions & empowered to manage their medicines

* Prescriber education promotes consistent patient experience and raised awareness of potential serious side effects for patient and prescriber.

* Improved patient access to healthcare in convenient location with choice of provider

* Vulnerable or complex patients linked into other support agencies

* Opportunity to discuss other medication, helping patients to get the most from their medicines.

The final word – What particularly went well and what was hard?

Practice engagement over the course of the project was superb. It was well supported from the outset with the delivery of a consistent message, and patients actively encouraged to attend the pharmacist led clinic. GPs held steadfast regarding keeping supply on acute rather than repeat, at least until the patient had received the relevant support information. Initially, pressure on GPs time was high. Inevitably, this quickly decreased, but was time consuming on top of the usual high work load.

Social Research Methods Survey Paper:
For this assignment, worth 10% of your final grade, you will write a research paper (at least 4 pages in length) that describes your research. Remember, you are conducting social scientific research, meaning that your methods and research process should be logical, systematic, documented, and unbiased. Please use standard document formatting in your paper (double-spaced, 1 inch margins, 11 or 12 point font.)
1. State your research question and describe your methods (about 1 page). Here, it would also be appropriate to talk about any tough decisions or issues that you experienced. At the least, be sure to address the following questions:
• What is your research question and hypothesis? Why did you expect your independent and dependent variables to be associated? **Are women more likely to get warning over tickets for speeding than men?
• How did you find your respondents (where/when were they surveyed)? **I found them walking across the college campus.

• What are your key concepts and how are they operationalized? Justify your decisions 
(e.g., question wording, response options, level of measurement).
• What steps, if any, did you take to ensure the accuracy of your data?
2. Describe your finding (about 1 page). Did any interesting patterns or anomalies emerge? Did your findings support or challenge your initial hypotheses? Please keep in mind that I am not concerned about how interesting your findings are, but I care a lot about whether you understand and can execute survey research. For full credit, include the following:
FINDINGS: men got more tickets than females
Summarize the distribution of each variable. In other words, what does the central tendency, variability, and skewness look like?
Describe the association between your two variables (e.g., gamma or chi-square)
Include at least one graph with your paper.
3. Write a discussion and conclusion (about 2 pages). Describe the process of survey research. What was frustrating, interesting, appealing, etc.? Would you change anything about the questionnaire (e.g. question wording, design, were important questions left unanswered)? How has the project changed your ideas about survey research and/or about your area of study, if at all?

 

Group project on marketing opportunities for a brand of consumer products. You will choose/be assigned a brand of consumer products. Each group will be assigned a different brand. Research the brand, the organization that markets the brand, the marketing environment, the market and the market segments in the UAE. Then infer the marketing opportunities (including targeted segments) available for the brand from the market information.

This is an external work which must follow APA Formatting guidelines. This project will cover CLOs 1, 2, 3, and 4. You will submit a written report consisting of 1500 to 2000 words. The market research survey questionnaire(s) should be submitted as appendix to the report. Following the report submission, individually you will orally defend your marketing analysis and plan at a set date and answer specific questions on your assignment.
Guidelines for Market Research

Secondary Research

* To research about the brand, the product, the marketing environment, the market and the market segments in the UAE from information that is publicly available.

* Use credible sources of information and, where possible, use the databases available on the HCT library website.
Part A of the report:

Report Content
Current Market Situation

1. Brief background information about the Brand

* Brand: (1) where it originates from, (2) when it was introduced in the UAE, (3) existing product lines/items in the UAE

* Organization that markets the brand: (1) business activities, (2) date of establishment in the UAE, (3) structure and size, (4) strengths and weaknesses
2. Market environment

Market environment: (1) two micro-environmental and two macro-environmental factors that have the biggest impact on the brand’s existing product lines/items in the UAE, (2) major changes and trends that impact marketing decisions of the brand’s existing product lines/items in the UAE

3. Consumer product: discuss the product you have chosen in terms of

* Description of the product: describe the core and actual product

* Associated services offered with the product

* One strength and one weakness of the product
4. Market Description and Segmentation

* Market for the brand’s product lines/items in the UAE: (1) define the market, (2) who are customers buying them from, (5) customers’ current needs and wants,

* Market segments: (1) define the existing market segments, (2) segments in which the brand’s existing product lines/items are offered

* Market segmentation could be done using at least two variables.

* Target market for the brand/ product identified and described using at least two variables; use of more relevant variables will be graded higher
Primary Research

* To research about the market and the market segments in the UAE from information that is not publicly available.

* Prepare a survey questionnaire to determine: (1) customers’ current needs and wants, (2) potential changes to customers’ needs and wants, (3) existing market segments, (4) potential changes to existing segments, (5) potential new segments, (6) customer psychographics, (7) customers’ buying behavior

* Conduct the survey on a representative sample of appropriate size.
Part B of the report

1. Marketing Opportunities

* Describe four growth opportunities for the brand using the product/market expansion grid that could be used by the company to increase sales.

* From the market information, infer the marketing opportunities for the brand in each of the existing and potential new market segments using the product/market expansion grid

* Choose ONLY one of the above described marketing opportunities (you cannot choose market penetration).

* Decide whether to target existing market segments or potential new market segments by offering existing product lines/items or new product lines/items. Explain with reference to the market research.
2. Application of the marketing mix:

Develop a marketing mix including current and or new target market which addresses the marketing opportunity that you have identified to grow the business based on your market research.
Application of the Marketing Mix – Proposed Product

In this section of the report, you need to explain how your brand should use the “product” mix. The way that you explain the proposed product needs to be in-line with your assigned marketing opportunity (keep in mind that your marketing opportunity needs to be discussed at a local level, i.e., Abu Dhabi, Dubai or UAE).

Specifics:

* Product specification – consumer/industrial product

* Fully describe the product in terms of the core, actual and augmented levels.

* Benefits

* Actual product

* Augmented product

* Product specification – convenience, shopping, specialty, unsought
Application of Marketing Mix – Proposed Price

The product price is structured based on the findings as well with elaboration on the pricing strategy used and reasons behind using this specific strategy. In this section of the report, you need to explain how your brand should use “price”. The way that you explain the proposed price needs to be in-line with your assigned marketing opportunity (keep in mind that your marketing opportunity needs to be discussed at a local level, i.e., Abu Dhabi, Dubai or UAE)
What the product specification is, will influence the pricing strategy.

* What are the costs involved in producing the product or service, importing it, distributing it.

* Which strategy are you choosing? Why? How does the price reflect the decisions you have made in the product strategy (e.g. luxury good, convenience good, etc.)

* Price skimming or price penetration

* How does the product classification influence the pricing strategy
Application of Marketing Mix – Proposed Place

Propose the most suitable distribution channel for the product. In this section of the report, you need to explain how your brand should use “place”. The way that you explain the proposed place needs to be in-line with your assigned marketing opportunity (keep in mind that your marketing opportunity needs to be discussed at a local level, i.e., Abu Dhabi, Dubai or UAE)

Specifics:

* Type of distribution – intensive, selective, exclusive

* How does this relate to the product classification

* Where do you (the Brand and your opportunity) lay within the supply chain? How does this influence your distribution strategy?

* Push or Pull strategy within the distribution strategy
Application of Marketing Mix – Proposed Promotion

Develop a thorough promotion mix covering all the elements that might be used or where it is applicable e.g. Advertising, Personal Selling, Sales Promotion, Public Relations, Direct Marketing.

In this section of the report, you need to explain how your brand should use “promotion”. The way that you explain the proposed promotion needs to be in-line with your assigned marketing opportunity (keep in mind that your marketing opportunity needs to be discussed at a local level, i.e., Abu Dhabi, Dubai or UAE)

Specifics:

* Push or pull strategy – tied directly to the distribution strategy

* IMC strategy

* What is the mix of promotional elements you are using or will use?
Analysis from market research (Charts are encouraged)

* You now need to carry out primary research to be able to complete part B of your project.

You need to research about the market, the market segments in the UAE, and the marketing mix from information that is not publicly available. So, you need to prepare a survey questionnaire. Then, conduct the survey on a representative sample of appropriate size (minimum 20 respondents). Please read the information mentioned below to guide you in this part.
* To complete this market research, ensure that your questionnaire covers some of the following criteria:

* Current brand/ product usage rate including usage of competitor brands/ products

* Level of satisfaction with brand / product including competitor products.

* Reason for satisfaction with brand / product including competitor products. This may include elements of the marketing mix.

* The customers’ current needs and wants, potential changes to customers’ needs and wants (based on your research)

* Existing market segments, potential changes to existing segments, potential new segments,

* Customer psychographics, customers’ buying behavior,

* Marketing mix questions (price, product, place and promotion)

* Include any other relevant information that you feel is necessary to explain your chosen marketing opportunity.

* Identification of the marketing opportunity.

* Ensure that your teacher approves the questionnaire before you conduct the survey.
* Put your results of the questionnaire in tables

* Use the results to discuss in details your proposal for the marketing growth opportunity

> Discuss the following: type of product, the 3 levels of the product, and the branding strategy.

> Two (2) promotional tools you recommend should be used. Discuss why you have chosen these tools.

> Which pricing strategy should be used? Discuss the factors you took into consideration when choosing the pricing strategy.

> Distribution strategy and type of channel used.
* References- make sure that you use at least 4 different sources. Make sure that you use the right referencing techniques.
* Formatting
* Recommendations:

Each group should make one recommendation and a marketing idea and give details of its objective, cost, appeal and target audience.

Provide full details of the marketing opportunity covering the 4P’s
This should be the main focus of your presentation and must discuss the marketing mix.

(2.2) Role of the Researcher: Describes the role of the researcher in the data collection process and provide a peer review or seminal source. Describe any relationship the researcher may have had with the topic, participants, or area.
a. Describes the role of the researcher in the data collection process and provides a peer-reviewed or seminal source.
b. Describes any relationship the researcher may have had with the topic, participants, or area.
c. Provides a brief description of the researcher’s role related to ethics and the Belmont Report protocol.
d. Qualitative studies: Describes how the student will mitigate bias and view data from a personal lens.
e. Qualitative studies with interviews: Briefly describes the rationale for an interview protocol.
f. Supports every decision with a scholarly peer reviewed or seminal source.
(2.3) Participants
a. Describes the eligibility criteria for study participants.
b. Discusses strategies for gaining access to participants.
c. Identifies strategies for establishing a working relationship with participants.
d. The participants must align with the overarching research question.
e. Supports every decision with a minimum of three scholarly peer reviewed or seminal sources.
(2.2) Role of the Researcher: Describes the role of the researcher in the data collection process and provide a peer review or seminal source. Describe any relationship the researcher may have had with the topic, participants, or area.
a. Describes the role of the researcher in the data collection process and provides a peer-reviewed or seminal source.
b. Describes any relationship the researcher may have had with the topic, participants, or area.
c. Provides a brief description of the researcher’s role related to ethics and the Belmont Report protocol.
d. Qualitative studies: Describes how the student will mitigate bias and view data from a personal lens.
e. Qualitative studies with interviews: Briefly describes the rationale for an interview protocol.
f. Supports every decision with a scholarly peer reviewed or seminal source.
(a. Describes the eligibility criteria for study participants.
b. Discusses strategies for gaining access to participants.
c. Identifies strategies for establishing a working relationship with participants.
d. The participants must align with the overarching research question.
Describe the sample adequately. Remember, the sample is the subset selected from the broader population. Thus, they may differ from the targeted population discussed in section one. Detail the major demographic characteristics; ethnic and or racial group; level of education; socioeconomic, generational, or immigrant status; disability status; sexual orientation; gender identity; and language preference as well. As a rule, describe the groups as specifically as possible, with emphasis on characteristics that may have bearing on the interpretation of results/findings.

 
Prepare a 15 page research paper that includes a literature review, analysis, and conclusions based on the review on the topic : “Developing a high-performance organization”.

Please be sure to incorporate theories and concepts in an Organizational Development Analysis

Vera Museums Paper
Museums Paper Instruction This paper is based on your viewing experience of one work of art from the time period of this class. Expect to spend a good deal of time in front of the piece you select, thinking and taking notes. You will, in fact, be doing the “research” for the paper in front of the work of art. Plan accordingly and take extensive notes. The object of the paper is to take the skills and information you have been acquiring in the course and apply them to museum works. Length of the paper must be three full pages (double spaced). What is the subject matter (iconography) depicted? Is it a devotional or a secular work? Have we studied any versions of the same subject in class, and if so how does this work compare to them? How has the artist used the formal elements of painting or sculpture to render the subject? Consider light and shadow, color, depiction of space, motion and texture, narrative techniques. How does the work affect you as a late twentieth century viewer? Is it a pleasing composition? Does the artist demonstrate skill or does the work seem provincial? Is it an effective and persuasive rendering of the subject? What is the medium, i.e., oil on canvas, and is it unusual? Consider whether or not the medium is significant to the interpretation of the work, i.e., was it expensive or unusually expressive? What is the format and scale of the work? What kind of larger whole might it have been a part of? Can you deduce the original location of the work from its iconography and format? What do the iconography and intended location of the work tell you about the work’s function? Do you think it was intended for public or private consumption? Who might the audience have been? As a historian can you interpret the meaning that the art once held for its original intended audience? This is of course closely connected with the work’s intended location. This is not intended to be a research paper. You may include information from the label of the painting if you wish, though you must state that this is where you found the information in question. If the iconography is unfamiliar to you, you may research it a little, either in a bible, or in an iconography book. Please cite your sources.