Qualitative research in the Arabic language. When should translations to English occur? A literature review

Translating cross-language qualitative data in health professions education research: Is there an iceberg below the waterline?

Health professions education research is an increasingly global community with culturally and linguistically diverse research teams who are challenged in how to communicate across cultures, contexts and languages. In today's diverse research landscape, language transcends its role as a mere means of communication and becomes a bridge that facilitates connections within research teams, between the team and its participants and between participants from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds and the scientific community. English as the 'lingua franca' is often seen as the international language of science and 'a prerequisite for scientific exchange'. This creates a language bias within the body of health professions education literature and involves methodological challenges for conducting research in non-English speaking contexts.

Caregivers' views on childcare staff's role in promoting children's oral health

BACKGROUND

The primary reason children in the UK are referred to hospitals for a general anaesthetic is to have decayed teeth removed. Tooth decay is a non-communicable disease which is preventable through healthy behaviours such as brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, reducing the frequency of sugar consumption throughout the day and regular dental check-ups. Recently, oral health became a mandatory component of the England Early Years Settings' (EYS) framework. Successful implementation of this public health strategy necessitates involvement from parents and carers, however their views currently remain unexplored. Therefore, we aim to investigate parents' views about the role of EYS and childcare providers in promoting and discussing children's oral health behaviours.

METHOD

Semi-structured interviews were conducted in English and Arabic with 14 parents (11 mothers, 3 fathers) of at least one child under five years who was enrolled in any EYS (nurseries, preschools, Sure Start centres) in England. Participants were recruited through EYS settings and using online social media. Data were analysed using an inductive and latent reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The analysis was organized into three overarching themes: 1)Opportunities for parent-staff communication in early years settings are lacking. 2)Early years settings not currently considered a place for oral health. 3) Looking forward; early years settings as a partner to support children's oral health.

CONCLUSION

Parents have limited awareness of what oral health activities occur in EYS. They acknowledge that EYS staff can influence children's oral health behaviours, yet also report communication barriers with EYS staff. Early years communication is primarily uni-directional, which shapes parents' views about EYS staff's responsibility and credibility to support their children's oral health. To overcome these barriers, staff need training and support to effectively engage parents.

A qualitative study into the perceptions and needs of fathers with a migration background on parenting regarding energy balance-related behaviors

BACKGROUND

Overweight among adolescents is worldwide still considered a serious public health problem. Although both parents influence children's energy balance-related behavior, most studies have predominantly focused on mothers and white populations. Therefore, in this study, we contribute to the research by exploring the perceptions and needs of Dutch fathers with a migration background on parenting, specifically regarding promoting healthy energy balance-related behaviors among their children, and what motivates fathers to participate in parenting programs focused on these behaviors.

METHODS

We used a qualitative research design. Informal conversations (n = 2), semi-structured interviews (n = 11) and one focus group (n = 13) were conducted with professionals specialized in intercultural pedagogy and fathers participating in a parenting program organized by these professionals. Interviews and focus group were audio-recorded and transcribed. Atlas.ti 8 was used for theme detection, categorization, and classification using inductive and deductive approaches. The data was analyzed using grounded theory analysis.

RESULTS

Fathers joined parenting programs to improve their parenting skills and knowledge and address health and socio-cultural challenges. Furthermore, intergenerational differences were evident: second-generation fathers were more proactive in tackling parenting challenges related to healthy lifestyles. Fathers highlighted challenges related to parenting in two cultures. Although participating in the parenting program facilitated fathers in adopting a healthier lifestyle for both themselves and their families, improving communication with family members, and experiencing changes regarding gender dynamics within their household, influencing their teenage children, to adopt healthier habits remained a challenge, especially in comparison to younger children.

CONCLUSIONS

A deeper understanding of the needs, perceptions, and experiences of migrant populations concerning parenting regarding the promotion of healthy energy balance-related behaviors among their children can lead to better-tailored health promotion programs that prioritize cultural and linguistic inclusivity.

Paramedics and emergency medical technicians' perceptions of geriatric trauma care in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Saudi ambulance clinicians face unique challenges in providing prehospital care to older trauma patients. Limited geriatric-specific training and complex needs of this population hinder effective management, leading to adverse outcomes. This study explores the perceptions of Saudi ambulance clinicians regarding geriatric trauma care and identify facilitators and barriers to improved care.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted using a purposive sample of Saudi paramedics and ambulance technicians from Riyadh and Makkah using online semi-structured interviews and analysed using the framework method.

RESULTS

The qualitative study recruited twenty participants and identified that they reported age-related challenges including physiological changes, polypharmacy, and communication difficulties. They all wanted training and guidelines to improve their knowledge. They reported struggling with communication difficulties, inaccurate adverse outcomes predictions, difficult intravenous cannulations, and cultural restrictions affecting care provision for female patients. We identified organisational barriers (e.g. lack of shared patient records and lack of guidelines) and cultural barriers (e.g. barriers to assessing women, attitudes towards older people, and attitudes towards paramedics) that influenced implementation of knowledge.

CONCLUSION

Ambulance clinicians in Saudi Arabia want guidelines and training in managing older trauma patients but these need to take into account the organisational and cultural barriers that we identified to facilitate implementing knowledge and changing practice to providing improved care.

Exploring Saudi paramedics' experiences in managing adult trauma cases: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Saudi paramedics face numerous challenges while providing care for adult trauma patients affecting their care but little is known about these specific challenges.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted using a purposive sample of Saudi paramedics from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) across various cities. Data were collected through online semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the framework method.

RESULTS

A total of 20 paramedics were recruited and interviewed. They identified challenges in trauma response, including coordinating care, ensuring the accuracy and accessibility of patient information, and maintaining confidence and readiness. Participants emphasized the need for independent knowledge acquisition through courses, simulations, and peer discussions. They also highlighted the need for more paramedics, strategies to reduce burnout, and the importance of accurately assessing patient conditions. Additionally, they also stressed the importance of raising public awareness to enhance trauma care.

CONCLUSION

This study explored Saudi paramedics' experiences in managing adult trauma patients. standardized handovers, more staff, and greater public awareness are the main key needs to improve daily practice.

Perspectives of Saudi Occupational Therapists Regarding Telerehabilitation: A Qualitative Study

Background

Telerehabilitation is emerging in Saudi Arabia. This study investigated occupational therapy professionals' perspectives on using telerehabilitation in their practice.

Method

Data were collected through semi-structured phone interviews conducted with nine Saudi occupational therapists. A pragmatic qualitative evaluation approach was used.

Findings

Experience and perceptions of participants regarding telerehabilitation were represented as follows: awareness and knowledge of telerehabilitation; how telerehabilitation increases occupational therapy availability and access in Saudi Arabia; telerehabilitation in the pandemic; telerehabilitation is preferred; suitability of telerehabilitation in Saudi Arabia; telerehabilitation care pathways; telerehabilitation readiness in Saudi Arabia; and telerehabilitation willingness by Saudi occupational therapists.

Conclusion

Saudi occupational therapists have good knowledge and awareness of telerehabilitation, and some had used it during the pandemic. They showed positive attitudes and a willingness to use telerehabilitation if appropriate technology infrastructure, official policy standards and guidelines, training, data security, and financial resources could be provided to support implementation.

Barriers and Facilitators of Weight Management among School Children with Obesity: A Qualitative Investigation of Parents' Perceptions

Parents play a critical role in influencing the eating habits of their children. This study examined parents' perceptions of factors that contributed to childhood obesity and sought their suggestions on various modalities for overcoming the barriers to healthy eating. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were undertaken with 26 parents of 9-13 years old school children with obesity from the United Arab Emirates. Three main topics covered in the interviews were: (1) Parents' perceptions of their children's weight and eating habits; (2) Attitudes towards healthy eating and weight management; and (3) Suggestions on how their children can adopt a healthy lifestyle. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed using the NVIVO software to identify the emerging main themes and sub-themes. Parents identified individual/intrapersonal (child), interpersonal (peers, family, nannies), and institutional/school environment barriers and facilitators to a healthier lifestyle. The three major themes that emerged were: (1) Negative effects of obesity on children's lives; (2) Barriers to weight management and healthy lifestyle; and (3) Facilitators to healthy eating. Nutritional education and a supportive home and school environment were suggested for the adoption of a healthy lifestyle by children.