Browsing by Author "Mikkola, Heidi"
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Mikkola, Heidi (2021)Pharmacotherapy plays a key role in the treatment of many conditions. Long-term medication therapy is an essential part of treatment in many common chronic conditions in Finland, such as diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. However, medication therapy can be burdensome to patients and thus, influence their functional capacity and well-being. Therefore, patients’ lived experience of medication and its effect on their lives has a growing interest as a research area. The primary aim of this study was to test among Finnish patients with chronic conditions the consistency of a theoretical model ‘Patient’s Lived Experience with Medicine’ (PLEM) developed by a qualitative meta-synthesis by Mohammed et al. (2016). The secondary aim was to investigate the medication-related burden experienced by Finnish patients living with different chronic conditions. Based on the results of the content analysis of the focus group discussions, this study aimed to create a new, concise measure of medication-related burden to be utilized in a population-based online survey on medication use in Finland called Medicine Barometer (Lääkebarometri) by the Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea. The study was conducted as a qualitative focus group interview in summer 2020. Participated patients with chronic conditions (n=14) were recruited through four patient organizations. Focus group discussions (n=5) were held in groups of 2-3 people over Zoom. Deductive content analysis guided by PLEM model was used for data analysis. The measure of medication-related burden was formed on the grounds of the original PLEM model, content analysis of the interviews, research literature and expertise of the research group. The results of the focus group discussions (n=5) supported the functionality of the PLEM model. Study participants (n=14) described similar experiences of medication-related burden and beliefs and practices guiding the medication taking to those presented in the PLEM model. Burden caused by medication routines and healthcare system were most emphasized of the factors contributing to medication-related burden. As a new factor contributing to the burden, medication-related eco-anxiety emerged. The new measure for assessing medication-related burden consists of 13 items to be piloted by the Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea in the summer 2021. The experiences of the Finnish patients with chronic conditions are consistent with the PLEM model. Majority of the participants did not experience such burden from their medication that would significantly interfere with their daily lives. However, experiencing higher level of medication-related burden appeared to be related to independently modifying medication regimen or even neglecting the use of medicines. PLEM model and related patient interviews served as a solid foundation for developing items for the new measure to be piloted for assessing medication-related burden. The population-based survey will provide useful data for the further development of the measure and for researching the factors contributing to the burden.
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Mikkola, Heidi (2020)This thesis presents parents’ thoughts about software solution for communication, Wilma, as a collaboration tool between home and school. The research questions are: 1. What do parents think about Wilma as a collaboration tool between home and school and 2. What kind of expectations and development proposals parents have to improve Wilma and it’s use. This thesis presents a qualitative research which was conducted using an open-ended survey. 15 parents who were using Wilma took part in the e-survey. The data was collected in January 2016. The analysis was conducted using theory-guided content analysis that contained seven categories. The categories were 1) communication and interaction, 2) support for learning and growth, 3) the student’s active role, 4) cooperation and community, 5) behavior and practices, 6) usability, and 7) guidance and training The parents were generally satisfied with communication and interaction via Wilma. They experienced increased interaction between home and school. Parents wanted to get a variety of information of their child and school. They experienced different types of practices how teachers used Wilma and they hoped mutual practices in schools. In the future it would be interesting to study what teachers and students think about Wilma and how they would develop Wilma as a collaboration tool and its use between home and school in general.
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