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Introduction: Nigeria has a significant burden of NTDs with more than 120 million people at risk of the dominant NTDs namely Lymphatic Filariasis, Onchocerciasis, and Schistosomiasis. Control efforts have involved the four levels of governance with programs focused on vector control, preventive chemotherapy, water, sanitation and health education. However, the coordination across these levels and with multiple stakeholders remains unclear especially in states like Taraba that have received significant funding from local non-governmental organisations. Methods: This study evaluated NTD control effectiveness across national, state, local, and community levels in Nigeria. Eighty-two stakeholders were interviewed across the 4 governance levels. Results: Findings showed distinct roles of the different stakeholders: the National government sets policies, states adapt and strategise, local governments implement programs, and community leaders drive engagement. There is also some multi-sectoral collaboration and coordination among stakeholders. Challenges included inconsistent drug distribution, inadequate Community Drug Distributor (CDD) incentives, and limited cross-sector coordination. Discussion: NTD control progress has been notable, but to meet WHO's 2030 targets, Nigeria needs expanded partnerships, increased private sector involvement, improved drug distribution, enhanced CDD support, and integrated programs with cross-border collaboration. Conclusion: Strengthening multi-sectoral partnerships, improving resource allocation, and engaging community leaders are crucial for advancing NTD elimination in Nigeria. A coordinated approach is essential for sustainable disease control and achieving global health objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are a myriad of ways patient partners can enact their roles on research teams. International guidelines emphasize the need for a collaborative approach to determining these roles to try to improve research impact and positive patient partner experience. The aims of this review were to: (1) describe how patient partners' roles as co-researchers in health research are determined; and (2) identify factors that influence how these decisions are made. Methods: A scoping review was conducted. Four databases were searched plus citation searching occurred. Descriptions of English language studies of any design and commentaries of studies that report on patient partners' or researchers' reflections on their decision-making processes for engagement were included. Two reviewers completed screening and data extraction, with a third to resolve disagreements. Results were summarized and then content analysis was undertaken to synthesize the findings. Two patient partners contributed to the protocol development, screening, data interpretation, and manuscript writing at varying times during the process. Results: A total of 45 papers (25 commentaries, 19 studies and 1 both a study and commentary) were included in this review. Most papers were from the United Kingdom (n = 15) and Canada (n = 12). Most patient partners had experiences related to chronic conditions rather than acute or time-limited illnesses. The synthesis yielded two categories. The first category, the research and research team attributes shape patient partner roles, encompassed patient partner, researcher and activity related factors that influenced patient partner engagement in activities. The second category, shared and ongoing decision-making, described the decision-making process to determine patient partner engagement, timing of these decisions, and tools to support these decisions. Conclusion: A dynamic, systematic and shared decision-making approach to determining patient partners' roles in the research process has the potential to support meaningful engagement and maximize benefits. Because the research process may evolve over time and patient partners situations can change, there may be a need to renegotiate the patient partner's role. Plain English summary: Patient partners can undertake various roles in the research process. International guidelines recommend patient partners and researchers work together to decide how patient partners will be involved in the research and there are many activities patient partners can do to enact their role. This review describes how these decisions are made and what shapes them. We reviewed 45 English-language research studies and commentaries on the views of patient partners and researchers that described patient partners' and researchers' approaches to determining patient partners' roles in the research process. Most of these studies were from the United Kingdom and Canada, with patient partners generally having chronic illness experience. We found that patient partner roles evolved throughout the study, with many factors affecting this process. Determining the patient partner role was dynamic, with reflection, discussion and negotiation occurring throughout the research process. The review suggests the need for both patient partners and researchers to together make decisions about their respective roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the information needs of older people and their family caregivers, particularly around medication management. This is largely because this population are infrequently consulted in research. Health technologies such as digital dashboards can present comprehensive and timely data summaries to improve knowledge and guide decision-making. Objectives: The aim of this study was to understand current information seeking-behaviours of aged care service users and their families, and their preferences for the presentation of these types of information to support the co-design of a digital aged care dashboard. Methods: Aged care clients (community and residential aged care) and their family members were invited to participate in semi-structured, one-on-one interviews conducted over the telephone. The interviews explored how participants sought health information, how this information supported their clinical decision-making, and how they would want this information to be presented via a digital dashboard. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and independently analysed using an inductive content approach by three reviewers to identify prominent categories. Results: Aged care clients and family members sought health information from healthcare providers, aged care facilities and the Internet. Information regarding medications, medical conditions and an overview for family members were of particular importance to participants. Participants saw the usefulness of a digital dashboard displaying relevant information, and provided suggestions regarding presentation of this information. This included the use of large text, representative colours, symbols and graphs. Participants recommended being able to tailor the dashboard to individual end-users. Conclusions: By engaging aged care clients and their families in research, it was found that they had positive views about a digital dashboard that presented clinical information and was readily accessible. Such a dashboard could complement their current practices of information-seeking. However, for the dashboard to be effective for this population, several suggestions for its design were raised. Understanding the information-seeking behaviours of aged care clients and their families, together with knowledge of the information that is important to them, and then subsequent incorporation of this information into a digital dashboard that reflects their design preferences, could lead to more informed decision-making in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Behavioral medicine has made key contributions toward improving health outcomes. Engaging community partners in research is critical to addressing persistent health inequities. The aim of this scoping review was to explore how researchers engaged community partners within the field of behavioral medicine research from 2005 to 2023. Method: Publication databases and gray literature were searched for research that engaged community partners to address questions relevant to behavioral medicine. Articles were screened by title and abstract, and then by full text. Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were coded using the framework provided by the Engagement Navigator to identify engagement approaches, methods, and tools and when they were used during the research. Results: Of 1486 articles initially identified, 58 met the inclusion criteria. Most articles used well-known approaches (e.g., community-based participatory research; 67%), methods (e.g., advisory committees; 59%), and tools (e.g., interviews; 41%), and engaged with healthcare service providers (62%) and/or patients (53%). Community partners were most often included in research planning and design (79%), and less often in dissemination (45%). Conclusion: Community engagement has considerable potential to address health inequities. Our assessment of the approaches, methods, and tools used by behavioral medicine researchers to engage with a diverse range of community partners points toward promising strategies for enhancing the impact of community engagement. Researchers should incorporate explicit descriptions of community engagement strategies in publications, an outcome that could be facilitated by clear publishing guidelines, structured reporting tools, and clear messaging from funders about the value of community engagement in behavioral medicine research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Summaries of health research can be a complementary way to return value to participants. We assess how research participants engage with summaries via email communication and how this can be improved. Materials and Methods We look at correlations between demographic subgroups and engagement in a longitudinal dataset of 305 626 participants (77% are classified as underrepresented in biomedical research) from the All of Us Research Program. We compare this against engagement with other program communications and use impact evaluations (N = 421 510) to measure the effect of tailoring communication by (1) eliciting content preferences, (2) Spanish focused content, (3) informational videos, and (4) article content in the email subject line. Results Between March 2020 and October 2021, research summaries reached 67% of enrolled participants, outperforming other program communication (60%) and return of results (31%), which have a high uptake rate but have been extended to a subset of eligible participants. While all demographic subgroups engage with research summaries, participants with higher income, educational attainment, White, and older than 45 years open and click content most often. Surfacing article content in the email subject line and Spanish focused content had negative effects on engagement. Video and social media content and eliciting preferences led to a small directional increase in clicks. Discussion Further individualization of tailoring efforts may be needed to drive larger engagement effects (eg, delivering multiple articles in line with stated preferences, expanding preference options). Our findings are likely a conservative representation of engagement effects, given the coarseness of our click rate measure. Conclusions Health research summaries show promise as a way to return value to research participants, especially if individual-level results cannot be returned. Personalization of communication requires testing to determine whether efforts are having the expected effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

For development projects, an action research approach is often encouraged to enhance participation of end-users or beneficiaries at various stages of the project to realize the desired social transformation in the target communities. The project under consideration in this study adopted action research for some of its activities. A review of the project action research activities was conducted as part of the strategic reflection for lesson learning and to inform modification where necessary. The objectives of this study were (i) to assess the relevance of action research approach to implementation of project activities and, (ii) to draw lessons for agricultural development projects applying participatory approaches. Fifty-one participants involved in the project action research activities were interviewed on their understanding of action research, its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and level of participation in action research activities. The perception of the participants interviewed regarding action research approach was that it is relevant and important for the project, and that it has provided a good platform for learning by all participants. Some key lessons from this study for development projects when applying action research approach include the need to focus on a limited number of issues or activities that can produce social transformation in the target communities, and the necessity of adequate planning for monitoring and documentation of learning by participants. From our study, action research is a pertinent approach in community development projects, but it should be well-planned to achieve the desired objective of social transformation in the target communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although most evaluators are familiar with participatory evaluation (PE), the ability to measure stakeholder participation in an evaluation remains challenging. Based on Cousins and Whitmore's (1998) PE theoretical model, Daigneault and Jacob (2009, 2012, 2014) developed an instrument for measuring the degree to which an evaluation can be considered participatory. The present study used Daigneault and Jacob's Participatory Evaluation Measurement Instrument (PEMI) in the evaluation of a public school district's educator mentoring program. The evaluators examined the benefits and challenges of using the instrument in public school settings. This paper details the procedure of using PEMI to explore the level of stakeholder participation in the evaluation case and uses a process similar to the mini-ethnography method to reflect on the experiences of the evaluators through the procedure. Findings show that in addition to accurately capturing the perceived level of participation, PEMI may be utilized in the planning phases of evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study explores the integration of financial stability regulation in professional soccer within the framework of sport governance, focusing on the German context. The research examines how financial regulations influence key governance principles such as accountability, transparency, and sustainability, while also addressing the challenges posed by the dynamic nature of professional soccer. Methods: A qualitative methodology was employed, using focus group discussions with nine experts, including representatives from soccer clubs, auditing firms and other relevant stakeholders. The discussions aimed to capture diverse perspectives on the impact of financial stability regulation on governance practices within the German soccer league and clubs. Results: The findings reveal that financial stability regulation is effective in promoting financial discipline and accountability at both league and club levels. However, the study also identifies challenges, such as the need for greater harmonization of regulatory frameworks across different levels of professional soccer and the potential benefits of implementing incentive mechanisms within the financial stability regulation to improve governance at the league and club levels. Discussion: The study underscores the importance of a multi-dimensional approach to financial stability regulation, considering political, systemic, and organizational dimensions. It highlights the potential for improving governance through the adoption of independent governance models and more practical applications of governance principles. Future research could further explore these areas, offering insights that could enhance the effectiveness of financial regulation in professional soccer and potentially other sport contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The concept of "participation" has become a buzzword in contemporary public governance models. However, despite the broad and significant interest, defining participation remains a debated topic. The aim of the current study was to explore how participants perceived and interpreted the meaning and scope of participation. Design/methodology/approach: This study is part of a four-year (2019–2022) longitudinal research project investigating stakeholder participation in the context of developing and establishing a strategic regional plan in Region Skåne in southern Sweden. The research project has a qualitative approach and uses interviews with different stakeholder groups such as municipal politicians and public officials and a survey as empirical material. Findings: The authors developed a participation spectrum including eight types of participation: to be open, to be informed, to be listened to, to discuss, to be consulted, to give and take, to collaborate and to co-create. The authors also identified four different purposes of participation: creating a joint network, creating a joint understanding, creating a joint effort and creating a joint vision. The spectrum and the purposes were related through four characteristics of participation, i.e. involvement, interaction, influence and empowerment. Research limitations/implications: The study rests on a single case, and so the results have limited transferatibility. Originality/value: Researching participation in terms of the participants' perceptions contributes a new perspective to the existing literature, which has commonly focussed on the organizers' perceptions of participation. Moreover, in order to clarify what participation meant to the participants, the study puts emphasis on untangling this from the why question of participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic waste (e-waste), often dominated by the informal sector, has had adverse effects on recipient developing countries' economies, health and physical environment. Ghana, over the years, has had support from international organisations to manage its e-waste crisis. Until 2016, there was no e-waste specific policy to guide the management of the sector. In 2016, Ghana passed a regulatory policy – Act 917 – to specifically deal with e-waste, supported by other frameworks such as a regulatory instrument (L.I. 2250), a technical guideline for environmentally sound e-waste management and an e-waste-specific policy, which is currently being developed. However, there is dearth of research on how effectively a regulatory policy such as Act 917 can help address an informally dominated sector whose crude recycling approaches have had great environmental and health impacts. Adapting the analytical framework and intervention theory, key stakeholders within the e-waste sector were interviewed on: the effectiveness of the Act, the challenges confronting them and their involvement in the design and implementation processes. The findings showed that stakeholders were represented at various stages of the process. Informal recyclers were provided with training programmes, health centres and an incentive scheme to minimise burning of electrical and electronic equipment. There however exist many challenges to the sound management of the sector, particularly, the lack of end-to-end recycling facilities, registering and formalising the sector and sequencing of the e-waste policy and regulatory framework. The research concludes by recommending areas for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Building timely consensus among diverse stakeholders is important in primary health care research. Consensus can be obtained using the nominal group technique which includes 5 steps: (1) introduction and explanation; (2) silent generation of ideas; (3) sharing ideas; (4) discussion; and (5) voting and ranking. The main challenges in using this technique are a lack of representation of different stakeholder opinions and the amount of time taken to reach consensus. In this paper, we demonstrate how to effectively achieve consensus using an adapted nominal group technique that mitigates the challenges. METHODS: This project aimed to reach consensus on the priority care domains for individuals aged 65 or older, using an adapted nominal group technique with 4 strategies: (1) recruit 4 stakeholders groups (older people, clinicians, managers, decision makers) by using maximum variation and snowballing sampling approaches; (2) use remote tools to ensure high participation; (3) add an individual pre-elicitation activity to increase effectiveness; and (4) adapt discussions to the stakeholders' preferences for meaningful engagement. RESULTS: In total, 28 diverse stakeholders participated. After the pre-elicitation activity and 1 round of group discussion, we reached consensus on a priority domain called symptoms, functioning, and quality of care. Adaptive group discussions and remote tools were the most effective strategies. All participants strongly agreed that they were able to express their views freely. Some perceived a need for emphasizing the alignment between the research objectives and anticipated practice and policy implications. CONCLUSIONS: This adapted nominal group technique is an effective and enriching method when timely consensus is needed among diverse stakeholders. Health care researchers in various fields can benefit from using this research methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Involving stroke patients in clinical research through patient engagement aims to ensure that studies are patient-centered, and may help ensure they are feasible, ethical, and credible, ultimately leading to enhanced trust and communication between researchers and the patient community. In this study, we have conducted a scoping review to identify existing evidence and gaps in SPSE. Methods: The five-step approach outlined by Arksey and O'Malley, in conjunction with the Preferred Reporting Items for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, provided the structure for this review. To find relevant articles, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases up to February 2024. Additionally, the review team conducted a hand search using Google Scholar, key journals, and references of highly relevant articles. Reviewers screened articles, selecting eligible English-language ones with available full texts, and extracted data from them into a pre-designed table tested by the research team. Result: Of the 1002 articles initially identified, 21 proved eligible. Stakeholder engagement primarily occurred during the design phase of studies and within the studies using qualitative methodologies. Although the engagement of stakeholders in the research process is increasing, practice regarding terminology and principles of implementation remains variable. Researchers have recognized the benefits of stakeholder engagement, but have also faced numerous challenges that often arise during the research process. Conclusion: The current study identifies stakeholder groups and the benefits and challenges researchers face in implementing their engagement. Given existing challenges and limited specific models or frameworks, it is suggested to explore applied recommendations for stakeholder engagement in future studies, that may enhance stakeholder engagement, overcome obstacles, and unify researchers' understanding of engagement and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy system planning has evolved from a narrow focus on engineering and supply works towards addressing more complex, multifactorial challenges. Increasingly challenged by climate change, extreme events, economic shocks, and altered supply demand patterns, the analysis of energy systems requires holistic approaches based on data-driven models, taking into account key socio-economic factors. We draw insights from reviewing the literature, indicating the need to cover the following major gaps: the shift to transdisciplinary approaches, incorporating environmental system analysis; resilient and sustainable energy designs based on flexible portfolios of renewable mixes; the integration of socio-economic aspects, economic analyses and behavioural models to ensure energy systems are not only technically sound but socially acceptable and viable; the need for stakeholder engagement considering the human angle in energy security and behavioural shifts. Responding to these pressing challenges and emerging needs, the Global Climate Hub (GCH) initiative, operating under the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, offers a conceptual framework, leveraging transdisciplinary approaches. In this Concept Paper, we present for the first time the idea of the GCH as a framework that we believe has the potential to address the modern holistic needs for energy system analysis and policymaking. By setting the conceptual/theoretical ground of our suggested approach, we aim to provide guidance for innovative combinations of cutting-edge models, socio-economic narratives, and inclusive interaction with relevant stakeholders for the development and the long-term implementation of sustainable pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In urban property development projects, attention to the needs and aspirations of local communities is often neglected. Although some developers still consider local community stakeholders to be a potential threat to their developments, in many developed countries, stakeholder participation is embedded within statutory processes such as the formal planning process and is increasingly regarded as a component of sustainable development. Even though the local community is widely recognized as an important project stakeholder, little has been done to understand how to engage effectively with this stakeholder group to resolve their concerns. The purpose of this study is to investigate practitioners' perceptions and actions on local community participation in urban property development projects. The study is conducted through interviews with 12 actors in the southern part of Sweden. The findings show the importance of early involvement of local communities, the relevance of building community networks, trust and relations, the challenges to stakeholder participation and the need to formalize stakeholder participation in the organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meaningful engagement with stakeholders in research demands intentional approaches. This paper describes the development of a framework to guide stakeholder engagement as research partners in a pragmatic trial proposed to evaluate behavioral interventions for dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients. We highlight the core principles of stakeholder engagement including representation of all perspectives, meaningful participation, respectful partnership with stakeholders, and accountability to stakeholders; and describe how these principles were operationalized to engage relevant stakeholders throughout the course of a large clinical trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co‐production is a collaborative way of working which emphasises the exchange of diverse forms of knowledge in an equal partnership for equal benefits. Co‐produced research is a key strategic aim of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Transforming UK Food Systems (TUKFS) Strategic Priorities Fund; this research programme brings together researchers, policymakers, industry and communities to create positive change in the way food is produced, accessed and consumed. However, more generally, there are diverse understandings of co‐production and a lack of consensus on what 'good practice' looks like. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and map examples of co‐production methods employed across the TUKFS programme. Two creative workshops (n = 15 participants), conversations with TUKFS researchers and stakeholders (n = 15), and systematic analysis of project documents were used to critically explore co‐production activities within six TUKFS projects. A range of co‐production activities were identified. Findings highlighted areas of 'messiness' and complexity, challenges associated with applying co‐production approaches and practical solutions. Four key shared principles for co‐production were identified: (1) Relationships: developing and maintaining reciprocity‐based partnerships; (2) Knowledge: recognising the contribution of diverse forms of expertise; (3) Power: considering power dynamics and addressing imbalances; and (4) Inclusivity: ensuring research is accessible to all who wish to participate. Opportunities for reflection and reflexivity were considered crucial across all these areas. Findings contribute important insights towards a shared conceptual understanding of co‐production for food system transformation research. This paper makes recommendations for researchers, practitioners, academic institutions and funders working in this area of research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study highlights the crucial significance of stakeholder participation in the creation of a comprehensive energy and electrical master plan for Mozambique. The purpose of this study is to deliver a practical insights that transcend theoretical concerns by digging into the subtleties of stakeholder relationships and strategic collaborations, paving the path for pragmatic and meaningful solutions that connect with real-life conditions. This debate lays the groundwork for educated decision-making, propelling Mozambique's energy industry towards a more sustainable and prosperous future. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a combined approach of stakeholder analysis (SA) and social network analysis (SNA) to enhance our understanding of the stakeholder landscape in Mozambique's energy sector. This methodological approach offers a unique vantage point to examine the individual stakeholders' roles and the intricate web of connections, partnerships, collaborations and information-sharing activities. By integrating SA and SNA, this study aims to provide a more comprehensive and dynamic depiction of stakeholder interactions, contributing methodologically to the existing body of literature. Findings: The findings also highlight the need to develop frameworks that promote private investment and joint endeavours with entities such as Cahora Bassa Dam/Mozambique Transmission Company. A consistent legal framework ensures uniform performance and a robust monitoring system for ongoing projects, improving accountability and progress tracking. Furthermore, the discussion includes enhancing the competence of the regulatory agency regulating the electricity industry. This includes tackling complex concerns with electricity pricing and other regulatory aspects relevant to private investment. A highly empowered regulatory agency is critical to creating an atmosphere conducive to long-term private sector involvement. Research limitations/implications: While the study emphasises the need to integrate multiple stakeholders, it may not detail specific issues or impediments that may develop during the engagement process. Additional research could look into potential tensions or barriers to effective collaboration. Furthermore, the study emphasises the necessity of addressing environmental impacts; it must thoroughly examine specific environmental concerns such as carbon emissions, deforestation or renewable energy possibilities. Future research could assess the suggested policies' environmental impact more extensively. Additionally, while the conclusion briefly mentions economic prosperity, a more thorough consideration of the possible economic and social implications of various energy policies could provide a greater understanding of their practicality and potential benefits. Practical implications: In terms of practical contributions, this study aspires to shed light on how stakeholder interactions can shape energy policy interventions that ensure reliable and affordable energy sources for economic development and societal well-being. By unveiling the complex network of relationships and partnerships, this study seeks to provide actionable insights for policymakers, industry players and other stakeholders involved in Mozambique's energy sector. By taking this action, this research aims to pave the way for more effective and inclusive energy policies that align with circular economy principles, thus addressing a critical need in scholarly discourse and practical implementation. Originality/value: The study underscores the critical role of energy stakeholders in shaping energy policies and projects, given their influential positions and impact on decision-making processes. While existing literature acknowledges this influence, a discernible research gap exists in comprehensively understanding how stakeholder interactions and collaborations in the energy sector affect policy interventions within a context such as Mozambique. This study seeks to bridge this gap by delving into the intricacies of stakeholder involvement and its implications for energy policy development in Mozambique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Social Sciences & Philosophy is the property of Research Center for Humanities & Social Sciences, Academia Sinica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Anaerobic digestion (AD), or biogas technology, is an optimal method for municipal organic waste (MOW) treatment, recovering both material and energy. This study takes a life cycle assessment perspective and examines the economic and environmental impacts of a BIO facility in Minamisanriku Town, Japan, which has utilized MOW (kitchen/food waste and surplus sludge from sewage) as local biomass resources since 2012. Stakeholder interviews were conducted to gather data on material flows and impacts. Scenario analysis considered various conditions, such as pre- and post-operation of the BIO facility, the use and non-use of digestate as liquid fertilizer, and the facility's 100% operational efficiency. The results indicate that full operation of the BIO facility and marketing of value-added products, such as branded rice grown using liquid fertilizer, could significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, lower integrated environmental costs, improve the regional economy, and increase net income. In the business as usual (BAU) scenario with a 56% operation rate of the BIO facility, there is an over 10% improvement in economic and environmental impacts compared to the pre-operation baseline. This study underscores the importance of maximizing biomass utilization to develop value-added uses by enhancing, extending, and expending stakeholder collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While oral health often takes a backseat to other health domains, it silently affects nearly half of the Worldwide population. The DELIVER project, funded by the EU's Horizon Europe program, seeks to develop a blueprint model for improving the quality of oral health care for everyone. Methods: Applying the Nominal Group Technique (NGT), 17 stakeholders from various backgrounds participated in identifying pressing issues for oral care quality improvement across practice, community, and policy levels. Results: The results revealed significant differences at the different levels, with accessibility emerging as a prominent issue, encompassing affordability, availability, and acceptability of oral healthcare services. Conclusions: These findings emphasizes the need for policy reforms, increased investments, and a shift towards preventive and patient-centered dental care practices. It highlights the importance of collaborative efforts with multi-stakeholders and prioritizing pressing issues on a multi-level to drive positive change in improving oral care quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprat are commercially valuable and are an important component of the North-East Atlantic ecosystem as major predators of zooplankton, competitors with herring, and prey for piscivorous fish, marine mammals, and seabirds. Despite this, insufficient information exists for Celtic Seas sprat, one of five North-East Atlantic stocks, to estimate stock status. To ensure the sustainable exploitation of sprat, the health of the Celtic Seas ecosystem, and the wider fisheries sector, we conduct a management strategy evaluation to stress test the current single-species advice framework. The aim is to evaluate whether ecosystem objectives can be achieved under single-species maximum sustainable yield and precautionary advice frameworks. An operating model was conditioned on life history theory and strategic information from ecosystem models. We showed that in-year advice using an empirical rule could achieve management objectives and help balance the trade-offs between fishing activities and ecosystem health. The approach allows ecosystem understanding to be incorporated within existing precautionary and maximum sustainable yield frameworks to provide a robust management framework that can meet multiple objectives despite uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Connecting end-users to research evidence has the power to improve patient knowledge and inform health decision-making. Differences in the culture and language of the end users may shape the effectiveness of knowledge mobilization (KMb). This scoping review set out to understand current approaches and methods when creating or adapting KMb products for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) audiences. Methods: We searched 3 databases (Ovid Medline, CINAHL via EBSCOhost, PsychINFO) from 2011 until August 2023. We included any literature about KMb product creation or adaptation processes serving CALD communities. A primary reviewer screened all identified publications and a second reviewer screened publications excluded by the primary. Data were extracted using a standardized form by one reviewer and verified by a second reviewer. Studies were categorized by type of adaptations ('surface' and/or 'deep' structure) and mapped based on type of stakeholder engagement used in the research approach (i2S model), and end-user involvement (content, design, evaluation and dissemination) in KMb product creation or adaptation. Results: Ten thousand two hundred ninety-nine unique titles and abstracts were reviewed, 670 full-text studies were retrieved and reviewed, and 78 studies were included in final data extraction and mapping. Twenty-four studies (31%) created or adapted exclusively text-based KMb products such as leaflets and pamphlets and 49 (63%) produced digital products such as videos (n = 16, 33%), mobile applications (n = 14, 29%), and eHealth websites (n = 7, 14%). Twenty-five studies (32%) reported following a framework or theory for their creation or adaptation efforts. Twenty-eight studies (36%) engaged stakeholders in the research approach. Nearly all (96%) involved end-users in creating or adapting the KMb products through involvement in content development (n = 64), design features (n = 52), evaluation (n = 44) and dissemination (n = 20). Thirty-two (41%) studies included reflections from the research teams on the processes for creating or adapting KMb products for CALD communities. Conclusion: Included studies cited a variety of methods to create or adapt KMb products for CALD communities. Successful uptake of created or adapted KMb products was often the result of collaboration and involvement with end-users for more applicable, accessible and meaningful products. Further research developing guidance and best practices is needed to support the creation or adaptation of KMb products with CALD communities. Registration: Protocol submitted to Open Science Framework on August 16, 2022 (https://osf.io/9jcw4/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Globally, much work has been done by nonprofit, private, and academic groups to develop best practices for the care of people living with dementia (PLWD), including Alzheimer's disease. However, these best practices reside in disparate repositories and tend to focus on one phase of the patient journey or one relevant group. Objective: To fill this gap, we developed a Dementia Ideal Care Map that everyone in the dementia ecosystem can use as an actionable tool for awareness, policy development, funding, research, training, service delivery, and technology design. The intended audience includes (and not limited to) policymakers, academia, industry, technology developers, health system leaders, clinicians, social service providers, patient advocates, PLWD, their families, and communities at large. Methods: A search was conducted for published dementia care best practices and quality measures, which were then summarized in a visual diagram. The draft diagram was analyzed to identify barriers to ideal care. Then, additional processes, services, technologies, and quality measures to overcome those challenges were brainstormed. Feedback was then obtained from experts. Results: The Dementia Ideal Care Map summarizes the ecosystem of over 200 best practices, nearly 100 technology enablers, other infrastructure, and enhanced care pathways in one comprehensive diagram. It includes psychosocial interventions, care partner support, community-based organizations; awareness, risk reduction; initial detection, diagnosis, ongoing medical care; governments, payers, health systems, businesses, data, research, and training. Conclusions: Dementia Ideal Care Map is a practical tool for planning and coordinating dementia care. This visualized ecosystem approach can be applied to other conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the level of stakeholder participation in gauging the effectiveness of National Water Policy of Pakistan, 2018. Governance of water resources is dependent upon a proper implementation of the policy and is inherently linked with the stakeholder's inclusivity. There is a need to assess stakeholders' involvement in the governance of water sector in Pakistan. This exploratory research paper utilized qualitative approach; data was obtained using open ended interviews across the study population. Key findings of the paper indicate that although the National Water Policy of 2018 emphasizes stakeholder participation, there have not been any efforts to implement this by the authorities in charge. The study also found a distinct lack of awareness on part of the public, which is detrimental to the water sector. Stakeholder participation needs to be ensured by the water institutions. The populace needs to be educated about their role in water governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive utilization of tropical inland water bodies for multiple and sometimes competing activities underlines the necessity for their integrated and holistic co-management. This paper presents our synthesis on lake and reservoir fisheries in South and Southeast Asia as social–ecological systems, based on a synopsis of our research findings from a previous EU-funded research programme in Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines (FISHSTRAT project). The paper attempts to merge our results with recent developments in research, policy and practice. We explore the effects of the main external and internal control mechanisms of the trophic state and pinpoint to the high production potential of traditionally unexploited small indigenous fish species. The limitations of conventional centralized management systems highlight the importance of introducing transdisciplinary approaches which integrate limnology, fish ecology and fisheries with the interests of other resource using stakeholders and decision makers in order to develop locally appropriate co-management strategies for sustainable aquatic resource use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Perspectives of patients, parents and professional experts on personalized regenerative implants for regenerative medicine purposes are largely unknown. Method: To better understand these perspectives, we conducted four focus groups with professional experts of mixed European nationality (n = 8), Dutch patients with regular implants (n = 8), Dutch and Belgian (n = 5) and Spanish (n = 8) parents of children with cleft palate. Results: Two overarching themes were identified: 'patient-centered research and care' and 'ambivalent attitudes toward personalized regenerative implants'. Discussion: The results reveal that stakeholders should adopt a participatory rather than an impairment discourse and address the ambivalence among professional experts, patients and parents. Conclusion: Considering stakeholder perspectives facilitates ethical and responsible development and use of personalized regenerative implants. Article highlights Background It is largely unknown how patients, parents and professional experts think about personalized regenerative implants. Learning more about their perspectives is relevant because it can assist in aligning the design and implementation of these implants with the needs and desires of stakeholders such as patients, engineers and clinicians. Results The first overarching theme that emerged from the focus groups was the importance of patient-centered research and care. Three subthemes were identified: (a) support and expectation management, (b) institutional and interdisciplinary collaboration, (c) the implant's contribution to living one's life. A second theme explored in the focus groups concerned participants expressing ambivalent attitudes toward the characteristics of personalized regenerative implants, such as their regenerative capacity, the novelty of this technology and the possibility for personalization. Discussion The first overarching theme patient-centered research and care underscores the necessity for healthcare professionals to look beyond the mere technical and clinical aspects of personalized regenerative implant treatment. In medicine in general and regenerative medicine in particular, we should facilitate a shift toward participatory discourse and change the way we talk and approach the individual, their body and illness. Some of the ambivalent attitudes identified in this study were linked to characteristics of the implant itself, particularly personalization. Personalization was viewed as a potential contributor to improved care tailored to individual needs, alongside concerns about associated cost increases. During the development and use of personalized regenerative implants, researchers should address ambivalence among professional experts, patients and parents, keeping in mind that ambivalence is not inherently negative. Conclusion The obtained results provide a valuable first step for emphasizing the need for patient-centered care and research within regenerative medicine and exploring ambivalent attitudes toward personalized regenerative implants. Further evaluation of these insights and other ethically relevant aspects of personalized regenerative implants should take place in co-creation with diverse stakeholders in parallel to the technological development of these implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social‐ecological systems like fisheries provide food, livelihoods and recreation. However, lack of data and its integration into governance hinders their conservation and management. Stakeholders possess site‐specific knowledge crucial for confronting these challenges. There is increasing recognition that Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) is valuable, but structural differences between ILK and quantitative archetypes have stalled the assimilation of ILK into fisheries management, despite acknowledged bias and uncertainty in scientific methods. Conducting a systematic review of fisheries‐associated ILK research (n = 397 articles), we examined how ILK is accessed, applied, distributed across space and species, and has evolved. We show that ILK has generated qualitative, semi‐quantitative and quantitative information for diverse taxa across 98 countries. Fisheries‐associated ILK research mostly targets small‐scale and artisanal fishers (70% of studies) and typically uses semi‐structured interviews (60%). We revealed large variability in sample size (n = 4–7638), predicted by the approach employed and the data generated (i.e. qualitative studies target smaller groups). Using thematic categorisation, we show that scientists are still exploring techniques, or 'validating' ILK through comparisons with quantitative scientific data (20%), and recording qualitative information of what fishers understand (40%). A few researchers are applying quantitative social science methods to derive trends in abundance, catch and effort. Such approaches facilitate recognition of local insight in fisheries management but fall short of accepting ILK as a valid complementary way of knowing about fisheries systems. This synthesis reveals that development and increased opportunities are needed to bridge ILK and quantitative scientific data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify thoroughbred industry stakeholders' views on the yearling sales endoscopy in Australia. Design: Semi‐structured qualitative group interviews with equine veterinarians, thoroughbred breeders and yearling purchasers. Methods: Twenty‐nine experienced thoroughbred industry stakeholders participated in online focus groups: (1) equine veterinarians involved in yearling endoscopy; (2) thoroughbred breeders; and (3) yearling buyers. The focus groups were audio and video recorded and digital whiteboards were available. Data was transcribed, live‐coded and analysed thematically. Results: The main themes identified included the uncertainty surrounding the relationship between yearling laryngeal function and future performance, especially the significance of yearlings with grade 3 out of 5 laryngeal function; interobserver variability in the laryngeal function grade assigned by veterinarians to the same endoscopic exam; and the presence of intra‐horse variability in laryngeal function over different time points. Discussion: Stakeholders raised multiple concerns about the current yearling sales endoscopy process in Australia. Recommendations to address these concerns include further investigation into the race performance of yearlings identified with grade 3 laryngeal function; training of veterinarians to reduce inter‐observer variability; and the need to determine the most appropriate grading system to use in yearlings. Future research should evaluate the significance of intra‐horse variability in a yearling population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving water security requires action at all levels of governance, and cooperation among state and non-state actors, including civil society. However, in many places, participatory arrangements to enable cooperation, such as river basin committees or water user groups, have not been created, due to resource constraints or scepticism regarding their effectiveness. Here, we develop a typology of five key 'governance actions' that non-state actors may undertake to address environmental problems. We apply this typology to empirical findings from a water scarcity situation in Johor, Malaysia, where subnational civil society actors undertook a range of responses. The analysis reveals that, despite the absence of formal engagement mechanisms, civil society positively contributed to the governance of water security through 'defining issues', 'creating and sharing knowledge' and 'taking independent action' that could potentially inform wider practice, but faced challenges in 'monitoring and evaluating' or otherwise providing a critical perspective on impacts of water insecurity. The findings indicate possibilities for place-based and interest-based partnerships between government and civil society, and for supporting vertical relationships among civil society actors operating at different levels of governance. The study contributes to debates around power relations, knowledge sharing, and decision making across multilevel environmental governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability has become more than just an aspiration in business. It has become an integral part of business strategy and decision‐making. Organizations have realized that adhering to sustainability with its impact on multi‐facets can drive business success. Long‐term growth requires an understanding of the relationships between people and their surroundings. Engagement of stakeholders is essential for planning, designing, implementing, and ensuring the efficacy of programmes. Due to the requirement for sustainability and the engagement of a greater stakeholder range in project planning, the project plan complexity is growing. The lack of or insufficient engagement of stakeholders throughout the project life cycle, particularly in the early phases of implementation and planning, frequently has a detrimental effect on the intended project performance. Effective stakeholder engagement is essential to counterbalance the combined effects of a lack of contextual knowledge by stakeholders and a lack of support in the field. However, this integration encounters difficulties such as resource restrictions and competing stakeholder interests. To encourage stakeholder engagement with the initiatives, project resources may be allocated based on the relative importance of competing areas. This study intends to establish a Stakeholder Engagement Framework (SEF) to increase the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement in projects by systematically evaluating potential conflicts and integrating the perspectives of stakeholders and the project management team. To do this, we use fuzzy logic inputs to account for ambiguities throughout the project life cycle, as well as stakeholder theory, value‐based management, matrix‐based dependency modeling, and total quality management to provide a framework for stakeholder participation. Then we implement the suggested SEF methodology to organize stakeholder participation for a green building project. The suggested framework will promote stakeholder participation under long‐term goals for project managers by identifying potential conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Patient and public involvement is vital for high‐quality research. Integrating patients' and providers' perspectives early in research enhances the feasibility and relevance of study results. Within our family practice‐based research network ForN, we established a standing patient advisory board (PAB) to include patients with diverse conditions and experiences. In this paper, we aim to describe the establishment and functioning of a standing PAB in family medicine research from patients' and researchers' perspectives. Methods: After each PAB meeting, patients and researchers were asked to name anonymously positive and challenging moments in a feedback form with open questions. Researchers were also asked to reflect on how they implemented the discussion content in their research projects. The responses from both groups were transferred to MAXQDA 2018 and analyzed separately using thematic analysis. Results: We analyzed 40 feedback forms from patients and 14 feedback forms from researchers. The dominant theme in the patients' feedback was 'exchange': They positively emphasized the 'exciting and open discussions' and the exchange of perspectives with one another and researchers. The clarity of the researchers' presentations and the research topics were appreciated. Researchers also positively highlighted the open atmosphere of the discussions. Presenting their research to the PAB helped most researchers reflect on their research topics from patients' perspectives and implement changes. However, researchers also mentioned several barriers to the implementation of PAB members' feedback. Conclusion: The establishment of a standing PAB in family practice research is feasible and productive both from patients' and researchers' perspectives. Patient or Public Contribution: This study reports the evaluation of the establishment of a standing PAB in family practice research. Board members are involved in the design of studies, the co‐production of interventions and information material, and the interpretation of data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For long-term success, organizations and manufacturing companies must exploit the potential strengths of collective decision making in maintenance management. The maintenance strategy selection issue has been studied in a single decision-maker framework for a long time. This research is one of the first attempts at dealing with the enhancement of maintenance management through the participation of stakeholders in the decision making process. In this context, the author introduces a participatory multi criteria decision model that combines Borda count and PROMETHEE methodology to select the most appropriate maintenance strategy; in accordance with the decision makers' preferences on a set of strategies evaluated according to conflicting criteria. Therefore, the PROMETHEE II method is used to manage the individual decisions of each stakeholder, while the Borda count is in charge of collectively selecting the best maintenance strategy, taking as a starting point stakeholder's preferences being established thanks to PROMETHEE II. In the same context, the proposed model was applied to a real scenario: a textile company, and can be easily replicated in other industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: Outdoor adventure education (OAE) (programs involving outdoor activities such as rock climbing or white‐water canoeing) that participants perceive as risky, conducted in a social support setting, can be utilised by practitioners to elicit changes in educational and psychosocial outcomes to support participant adolescent wellbeing. Methods: This study garnered the opinions of an expert OAE panel on the content of future programs aiming to impact adolescent wellbeing. The panel consisted of local (Western Australia, n = 7), national (Australia, n = 4), and international (Canada, Germany, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, n = 7) experts. A two‐round, mixed‐methods Delphi approach was employed. Extensive formative work led to the development of a series of open‐ended questions requiring qualitative responses for round one. Panellists were also asked to respond to 17 statements using Likert scales in the second round. Results: After analysis, a consensus was reached for all statements, with five statements having high consensus and being considered important by panellists. Conclusions: The statement 'Equity for all participants requires flexible delivery and facilitation' had the highest level of agreement amongst panellists. Connections, authentic experiences, and equitable experiences developed as key themes. So What?: Future OAE interventions focused on wellbeing impact could use the findings of this research as a basis for program design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: Social support is positively correlated with physical activity (PA), especially amongst girls, but is underexplored in male‐dominated action sports (e.g., mountain biking, skateboarding and surfing). This study explored family level social support needs and experiences of girls and boys in three action sports. Method: Aspiring, current or former Australian adolescent (12–18 years; girls n = 25; boys n = 17) mountain bikers, skateboarders and/or surfers were individually interviewed (telephone/Skype) in 2018/2020. A socio‐ecological framework guided the semi‐structured interview schedule. Audio‐recordings were transcribed verbatim and data analysed thematically using a constant comparative approach. Results: Family level social support was highly influential in young people's participation in action sports, with its absence a common reason for no or discontinued engagement amongst girls. Parents and siblings were the main social support providers with extended family (e.g., grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins) also notable. Participation (current/past/co‐) was the main social support type followed by emotional (e.g., encouragement), instrumental (e.g., transport, equipment/funding) and informational (e.g., coaching) support. Girls were inspired/encouraged by brothers but boys were not inspired/encouraged by sisters; boys and girls co‐participated with both parents but co‐participating and being inspired by fathers was most common, especially amongst girls; fathers were more commonly the main transport provider if they co‐participated with their child; fathers mostly provided initial coaching; only boys were taught equipment maintenance by parents. Conclusions and So What: Sport‐related organisations/groups have numerous opportunities to improve girls' representation in action sports by fostering family level social support through various means. Intervention strategies should be tailored to account for gendered participation differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to provide an overview of the service system view (SSV), and the current status of its adoption for the development and implementation of assistive technology (AT). The role of ATs in the global aging scenario is anticipated; however, their diffusion is cumbersome. The SSV captures stakeholders, technologies, and their interactions as integrated systems. Based on this perspective, several approaches for designing long‐term care services have been proposed that would be helpful for the successful implementation of ATs. However, the existing geriatrics and gerontology literature seldom addresses these topics. Based on a literature review, this study first illustrates the challenges of using ATs in the real world. The existing literature highlights the sociotechnical challenges of utilizing ATs, such as the changes required in care work and resistance to them. To overcome the challenges, three approaches associated with the SSV have been introduced: service design, service engineering and living labs. This paper also introduces recent national projects in Japan that have adopted these approaches. As the importance of the SSV is growing for the successful implementation of ATs, the ability to adopt the SSV and its approaches is anticipated. In relation to geriatrics and gerontology studies, the impact on older adults' quality of life, as well as the economic effect, needs to be analyzed in future research. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 74–80. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Using community-engaged research may result in interventions that reduce infant oral health disparities in underserved populations. Objective: Develop community partnerships to create a sustainable infant oral health program that meets specific community-identified needs and provides an interprofessional education experience. Methods: Partnering with the Homewood Community Engagement Center, researchers engaged and surveyed key community partners to assess the need for an infant oral health invention. Lessons Learned: Community-identified organizing principles and barriers became the framework for, "Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me," a community-driven infant oral health program. Barriers, like access to care, were addressed with community-specific solutions like agreements with local dental clinical for referrals. Conclusions: Community partnerships can be leveraged to develop oral health programs that fit specific community needs and provide resources to families at greatest risk for child dental caries. Community engagement can be used to modify the intervention to meet oral health needs of other vulnerable communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By addressing the question "Are the roles and values of stakeholder participation qualitatively different for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and national human rights institutions (NHRIs), and if so, how?" this article dissects stakeholder participation in UN human rights treaty body activities. First, it normatively posits that stakeholder participation in treaty body activities carries three values, which weigh differently based on the actor and the treaty body activity concerned: facilitating "bounded" national deliberations, promoting international deliberations on human rights treaty standards, and supplementing the treaty bodies' fact-finding capacity. It offers concrete normative guidance for treaty bodies on their engagement with NGO and NHRI participation to maximize the benefits of these values. It then empirically analyzes their current practice in light of the above-mentioned normative guidance. This article contributes, first, to the theorization of stakeholder participation in treaty body activities, which has been discussed but only in generalized or fragmented ways in previous studies. Second, it supports the effectiveness and legitimacy of treaty bodies by endorsing their practice that is consistent with the guidance and finding space for improvement. Finally, it provides a rationale for establishing and strengthening NHRIs by showing that NHRI participation has unique roles distinct from those of NGOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban resilience must consider the ability of cities to cope with the effects of climate change. Community awareness raising and sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs) are often mentioned in the literature as effective adaptation actions while the success of these solutions is highly context-dependent and improved planning procedures are urgently needed. In this framework, the URCA! project represents a good practice aiming to strengthen the resilience of urban areas by promoting the implementation of SUDs in territorial planning. The main objective of the present research deals with the role of participation in promoting the use of SUDs and their uptake in town planning and land management involving local communities, students, experts, local authorities, and enterprises. To this end, the research adopts a participatory approach to SUDs urban planning for three case studies in Italy selected under the criterion of maximum variation (Brescia, Genoa, and Matera). For the three case studies, participatory approaches are at different stages of development thus requiring appropriate ways of interacting and resulting in different impacts on decisions. Preliminary results, drivers, and barriers in the application of the participatory approach are discussed and compared in order to bring innovation into planning practices, stimulating a revision of typical governance mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planning for resilient cities requires an evidence-based understanding of flood risk and the involvement of stakeholders and local actors. The paper addresses research developed within the URCA!—Urban Resilience to Climate Change: to activate the participatory mapping and decision support tool for enhancing sustainable urban drainage—project. A top-down/bottom-up participatory and flexible methodology for the conception of participatory mapping aimed at the planning and installation of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) on the territory is then developed. The innovative methodology is applied and tested in the case study of the Sampierdarena district in Genoa, northern Italy. This research paper illustrates the development of a participatory map (Pmap) that can support the implementation of SUDS as mitigation/adaptation strategies, integrating technical assessment and containing community visions and expectations. Findings concerning the connections between proposed SUDS locations and their frequencies confirm the relevance of the commercial area and the main traffic lanes along, confirming that all zones characterized by intense vehicular and pedestrian flow are suitable for SUDS as a solution to contribute to urban flood resilience. The georeferenced and intergenerational Pmap may be integrated into a decision support system to be developed as a guidance tool for the public administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study sought to develop and validate an innovative leadership model for improving service delivery in urban local authorities. The prevalence of poor service delivery in urban local authorities motivated this study. The selected constructs of innovative leadership are innovative and creative thinking behaviour, risk taking and change oriented leadership, stakeholder participation, public administration core values, and service leadership. Data was collected using a survey approach from residents of Harare City Council, Zimbabwe. A structured questionnaire was used to collect 415 validated responses which were analysed using AMOS structural equation modelling (SEM) application. The innovative leadership model was confirmed and the study concluded that innovative and creative thinking behaviour, risk taking and change oriented leadership stakeholder participation, service leadership, and public administration core values, as constructs of innovative leadership, can go a long way on improving service delivery challenges in urban local authorities. As a result, the study validated and concluded the role of the constructs on service delivery challenges in urban local authorities. The study therefore recommends the adoption of the tested model as a plausible solution to service delivery challenges being faced by urban local authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solving complex post-disaster reconstruction challenges requires the altruistic involvement of heterogeneous stakeholder groups. However, small, more organized groups, such as government parastatals, private developers, and contractors often exploit large, unorganized groups, such as affected communities, leaving them more vulnerable to future disasters. Based on data collected from a case study in Pakistan, this study proposed a framework to assess, anticipate, and mitigate the exploitation of vulnerable stakeholders in post-disaster reconstruction projects. The framework draws on influential management theories and utilizes reciprocal relationships between stakeholder attributes (power, legitimacy, and urgency), participation, and exploitation. The study also argued for non-binary treatment of stakeholder attributes. The framework will allow practitioners to address issues around the exploitation of stakeholder interests in future post-disaster reconstruction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family involvement in mental health treatment has been shown to improve outcomes for service users. This project used a whole system‐focused action research framework and involved service users, family members and healthcare professionals to develop ways to improve family engagement in an adult inpatient mental health service. Focus groups were conducted with two service users, two family members and four healthcare professionals to discuss their experiences of family involvement and develop initial ideas. A problem‐solving group, involving service users, family members and professionals, was used to develop the solutions. The project identified context‐specific solutions to improve family engagement, which included specific training for professionals working on the inpatient wards, questionnaires to facilitate conversations with families, and sharing information about mental health and the inpatient mental health service with families. These may be helpful for other adult inpatient services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Involving patient and community stakeholders in clinical trials adds value by ensuring research prioritizes patient goals both in conduct of the study and application of the research. The use of stakeholder committees and their impact on the conduct of a multicenter clinical trial have been underreported clinically and academically. The aim of this study is to describe how Study Advisory Committee (SAC) recommendations were implemented throughout the Emergency Medicine Palliative Care Access (EMPallA) trial. EMPallA is a multi-center, pragmatic two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the effectiveness of nurse-led telephonic case management and specialty, outpatient palliative care of older adults with advanced illness. Methods: A SAC consisting of 18 individuals, including patients with palliative care experience, members of healthcare organizations, and payers was convened for the EMPallA trial. The SAC engaged in community-based participatory research and assisted in all aspects from study design to dissemination. The SAC met with the research team quarterly and annually from project inception to dissemination. Using meeting notes and recordings we completed a qualitative thematic analysis using an iterative process to develop themes and subthemes to summarize SAC recommendations throughout the project's duration. Results: The SAC convened 16 times between 2017 and 2020. Over the course of the project, the SAC provided 41 unique recommendations. Twenty-six of the 41 (63%) recommendations were adapted into formal Institutional Review Board (IRB) study modifications. Recommendations were coded into four major themes: Scientific, Pragmatic, Resource and Dissemination. A majority of the recommendations were related to either the Scientific (46%) or Pragmatic (29%) themes. Recommendations were not mutually exclusive across three study phases: Preparatory, execution and translational. A vast majority (94%) of the recommendations made were related to the execution phase. Major IRB study modifications were made based on their recommendations including data collection of novel dependent variables and expanding recruitment to Spanish-speaking patients. Conclusions: Our study provides an example of successful integration of a SAC in the conduct of a pragmatic, multi-center RCT. Future trials should engage with SACs in all study phases to ensure trials are relevant, inclusive, patient-focused, and attentive to gaps between health care and patient and family needs. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03325985, 10/30/2017. Plain English summary: Clinical research should involve patient and community stakeholder perspectives to make sure the study addresses questions important to the studied population. One way to do this is by creating a group of stakeholders who can advise on the conduct of a study. We assembled a Study Advisory Committee (SAC) for the Emergency Medicine Palliative Care Access (EMPallA) trial. The purpose of this clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of nurse-led telephonic case management and specialty, outpatient palliative care of older adults with advanced illness. This paper describes how the SACs involvement translated into direct impacts on the EMPallA trial. The trial research team held regular meetings with the SAC throughout the trial process. Their involvement led to many significant changes in the trial, such as expanding recruitment inclusion criteria (Spanish-speaking patients), and including survey instruments to measure lonelines and caregiver burden. The SAC also devised strategies to overcome patient and caregiver recruitment and retention challenges, including the creation of patient-friendly materials and training for research coordinators. This study provides a successful example of how actively engaging patient and community stakeholders, through committee engagement, can promote patient priorities in all phases of a trial while facilitating patient recruitment and retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Systematic priority setting is necessary for achieving high-quality healthcare using limited resources in low- and middle-income countries. Health technology assessment (HTA) is a tool that can be used for systematic priority setting. The objective of this study was to conduct a stakeholder and situational analysis of HTA in Zimbabwe. Methods We identified and analyzed stakeholders using the International Decision Support Initiative checklist. The identified stakeholders were invited to an HTA workshop convened at the University of Zimbabwe. We used an existing HTA situational analysis questionnaire to ask for participants' views on the need, demand, and supply of HTA. A follow-up survey was done among representatives of stakeholder organizations that failed to attend the workshop. We reviewed two health policy documents relevant to the HTA. Qualitative data from the survey and document review were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Forty-eight organizations were identified as stakeholders for HTA in Zimbabwe. A total of 41 respondents from these stakeholder organizations participated in the survey. Respondents highlighted that the HTA was needed for transparent decision making. The demand for HTA-related evidence was high except for the health economic and ethics dimensions, perhaps reflecting a lack of awareness. Ministry of Health was listed as a major supplier of HTA data. Conclusions There is no formal HTA agency in the Zimbabwe healthcare system. Various institutions make decisions on prioritization, procurement, and coverage of health services. The activities undertaken by these organizations provide context for the institutionalization of HTA in Zimbabwe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the 1990s, Tanzania has actively encouraged stakeholder participation in health services through Health Facility Governing Committees (HFGCs) to promote social accountability within its broader health system reforms. While previous studies have explored the functionality of the HFGCs, this study aimed to understand whether stakeholder participation in the HFGCs contributes to promoting social accountability in the health system. Methods: Between July and October 2022, a qualitative study in two districts of Tanzania was carried out. Selected participants, knowledgeable about HFGCs, included facility managers, HFGC members representing diverse stakeholders in the committees, local government leaders, district health secretaries, and religious leaders. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted and analysed thematically. Results: Findings revealed low stakeholder participation in the committees´ activities, partly due to the committees´ inability to effectively sensitize and mobilize them. Inadequate support from local government leaders and the dominance of the facility managers in the committees´ activities, also affected the committees´ role as promoters of social accountability. Conclusion: The HFGCs in Tanzania have faced challenges in promoting social accountability due to weak stakeholder participation. Key issues include limited awareness of HFGCs, inadequate mobilization, and insufficient training, supervision, and guidelines from district councils. Additionally, flawed election processes, leadership interference, lack of political support, and limited financial resources undermined the committees' effectiveness. To improve engagement, district councils should enhance stakeholder sensitization, build HFGC capacity, ensure that facilities allocate 5% of their budgets for committee activities, monitor performance, and encourage local government support for HFGCs. Paper context: Main findings: The contribution of stakeholders in Health Facility Governing Committees (HFGCs) to promote social accountability in Tanzania´s local system was very weak. Stakeholders´ awareness about their roles and participation in the committees´ activities was too low to promote social accountability. There was a lack of political support from local government, facility heads overextended in their roles, and supportive groups like Council Health Management Teams (CHMTs), Council Health Services Board (CHSBs), NGOs, and FBOs failed to effectively assist the HFGCs in their roles. Added knowledge: Although there is some understanding on how HFGCs operate, this paper fills a knowledge gap regarding the contribution of various key stakeholders in the committees in promoting social accountability. Global health impact for policy action: Policy and intervention efforts that promote stakeholder participation in HFGCs are required to significantly promote social accountability in the local health systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Health systems have obtained valuable experience in dealing with various epidemics. The present study, by systematically reviewing the successful experiences of countries, presents a model for a coordinated response to pandemics by various actors in the primary healthcare system. Methods: Thirty-eight articles were obtained from Magiran, SID, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases after applying the search strategy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, time-bound of 2005 to 2022, and quality assessment by Strobe checklist. The articles were assessed in terms of title, abstract, and text, and after removing duplicate and irrelevant ones, the final articles were selected. Results: This study assumed the PHC system as a leafy tree, which requires 25 background factors to strengthen its roots. Three groups of health policymakers, healthcare providers, and society must carry out the necessary measures in a coordinated and synergistic program in the four phases of crisis management, including prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. Conclusion: Strengthening PHC in prevention, screening, testing, and outpatient treatment and mobilizing the community to take care of itself are the most successful experiences dealing with epidemics compared to treating patients in hospitals and spending significant financial and life costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The field of education is one of the broadest fields of public administration in the country, and in recent years, many criticisms have been raised about its performance, especially in the field of policy making. However, it seems that the use of people's participation in the field of education policy can have valuable results, although this issue has received less attention so far. Therefore, the aim of the current research is to design a model of public participation in the policy making process of the country's official education based on the knowledge system of the Holy Quran. Method: This research is developmental-applicative in terms of purpose and is considered as a mixed research. In the qualitative step, the texts of the Holy Quran and its interpretations were examined and the data were analyzed by thematic analysis method. Also, in the quantitative stage, confirmatory factor analysis method was used to validate the model. For this purpose, 115 managers and experts in the Ministry of Education were asked for their opinions with a researcher-made questionnaire. At this stage, the sample size calculation method was Cochran's formula and simple random sampling method. Results: For the three-dimensional research model, central, process and contextual factors as well as 25 components were identified. Also, the findings of the factor analysis show the confirmation of the structure of the research model and the coefficient of determination calculated for the central, process and contextual factors are 0.679, 0.571 and 0.628, respectively, which shows that they are suitable values. Conclusion: The knowledge system of the Holy Qur'an emphasizes people's participation in various matters, including formal education policies, and the use of its guidelines in this field can be helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Many municipalities today, together with other stakeholders, offer group exercises for the older population via municipal meeting places, focusing on promoting good health. During the Covid-19 pandemic, these group exercises either continued in a modified form or ceased. The aim of this study was to explore involved stakeholders' experiences of group exercises for older persons arranged via municipal meeting places during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Six online focus group interviews were conducted with 25 stakeholders, such as decision-makers and representatives from the non-profit sector, from seven municipalities in Sweden. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: The collaboration around the group exercises was challenged due to affected communication and decision-making. The stakeholders described the importance of adapting and finding new ways to offer group exercise. Furthermore, the re-arranging of group exercises created concerns about the well-being of the older persons but also happiness with the older persons ability to act for their own well-being during the pandemic. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of the municipalities exchanging experiences, making the older persons more involved in the decision-making process, enabling a personcentred encounter with the older persons when exercising in groups, and strengthening supportive environments by sharing the ownership of arranging the group exercises with the older persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]