Abstract This paper discusses the meaning of the phrase "quality of life" and the response of different people to this question. The paper further discusses how most people base quality of life on how much finances they have, how many friends, and their physical and mental health. The essential components of quality of life for others, is the ability to read, walk, and talk as well as being independent and not relying on others for all my needs.
Abstract This paper will discuss the quality of life in the work place and create a design that can reveal the methodology of this process. By examining different examples of this process in the work place, we can see how this can be applied in a real life situation by the different ways of doing this that are available. By uncovering the problems that may exist in the work place, a more solution-geared format can be given to the environment that people have to work in. The analysis will deal on a large-scale inquiry into the betterment of quality of life in the work place and seek answers to the problems that arise.
Abstract The paper looks at the areas of care where quality of life is affected, such as the variation of services and the underuse, overuse or misuse of services. The paper then discusses the things that add to quality of life, namely, one's outlook on life, the counseling and promotion of adherence to evidence-based guidelines for nurses and doctors, regionalizing surgery for Medicare patients, exporting medicine overseas, fighting common ailments and relieving excess stress.
From the Paper "Utilizing one quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) so that one does not have to face many disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) is the standard of a healthy life. One's health is directly related to one's quality of life and health services can help one achieve a high quality of life if they are used and used correctly. There is even an International Society for Quality of Life Research, which promotes investigation of health-related quality of life measurement. It promotes many of the areas of health standards and equal treatment on a global basis of all people."
Tags: equality, care, outlook, obesity, smoking, stress, hospitals
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that academic literature contains an abundant amount of material on the effects of marijuana use. The writer notes that there are many areas in which researchers are in agreement, such as the connection between marijuana use and cognitive impairment. However, there are other areas that are more controversial, such as the connection between marijuana use and mental illness. The writer maintains that regardless of the side that you are on in this debate, there is a concern over the effects of marijuana use on a person's quality of life. This essay addresses literature regarding four areas affecting the quality of life. It addresses marijuana use and general well-being, interpersonal relationships, occupational activities, organizational activities, and leisure activities.
Outline:
Literature Review
The Effects Of Marijuana Use On General Well-Being
The Effects Of Marijuana Use On Interpersonal Relationships
The Effects Of Marijuana Use On Occupational Activities
The Effects Of Marijuana Use On Organizational Activities
The Effects of Marijuana Use On Leisure And Recreational Activities
Summary
From the Paper "These studies add weight to the argument that marijuana uses decreases a person's sense of general well-being. The argument is supported by single-researcher longitudinal studies with large sample population. It is also supported by studies that attempted to isolate the dependent variable and to control for confounding variables. The evidence is overwhelming. Many studies were found to support the correlation between marijuana use and the development of psychotic disorders."
"It has been argued that a person's genetics and predisposition towards psychotic behavior are more important than marijuana use. However, it was found that an analysis of 2,437 subjects with a genetic predisposition for psychotic illness, those that smoked marijuana still had an increased risk of developing psychotic illness, when compared to those that did not."
Abstract In this article, the writer examines the controversial issues using the rational examination of ideas based on logic and current research instead of emotions. This paper focuses on proponent's arguments and oppositional argument's of using Quality Adjusted Life Years or QALYs when deciding how healthcare resources should be allocated. Both sides of the issue are presented. The term Quality Adjusted Life Years is first defined by the World Health Organization. The researcher then presents both sides of the issue, offering a synopsis of the proponent's side and opponent's side of the QALY issue. Following this a summary of opinions and declarations is offered for review and discussion.
Outline:
Introduction
Proponents
Opposition
Conclusions
References
From the Paper " The purpose of QALY is primarily to decide how healthcare resources should be allocated. The use of QALY for example, may help determine which patients are eligible for participation in quality clinical trials. From a health insurance perspective, quality adjusted life years may impact the calculation of cost for a person or their family. In fact, health insurance companies have long relied on similar calculations to decide what premium participants may pay. They base their analysis on factors much like QALY including the individual's projected lifespan, current health and medical history. These elements are all used to decide how much insurance an individual will qualify for (based on their life expectancy and health). While even this process is controversial for some, by and large it is widely accepted as a tool for measuring how much insurance can or cannot be offered an individual. "
Abstract This paper explains that, even with intervention and assessment, and to some degree intra-observer variation, quality of life may not be enough to define a patient's contentment with life when faced with end of life issues. The author points out that life-changing events and end of life issues can be so sudden that a patient and her family may find control over their lives involuntarily wrenched from them. The paper cites that the transcendence theory can be a powerful motivator to achieve health care objectives for helping bereaved patients, their families and their nurses "move on" to understanding how suffering and changes can affect new individual insights. The author relates that, in caring for the older adult, it is sometimes more understood than appreciated that they may have more complaints to attend to, more symptoms that they complain of and may even be difficult to approach. The paper then independently reviews five different articles on this topic.
From the Paper "The second article tells of the triumph of the human spirit over seemingly impossible odds (McLean, 2006). In spite of his diagnosis of terminal colon cancer, firefighter lieutenant Mark Johnston underwent surgery in spite of the bleakness of his condition. What was remarkable was the camaraderie of his fellow firefighters, who would do what seemingly meant little more than keeping vigils with him. When Mark went into relapse after rejoining his team a year after, a testament to his spirit, he dispelled the prevailing myth of the palliative care unit's reputation for admitting patients that do not get discharged. In spite of this, Mark sought admission hesitantly at first, but with the constant show of support by family and friends during his times of greatest need and pain, he was able to eventually - and dramatically - return home."
Tags: palliative, art therapy, unsaid feelings, pain control
Abstract This paper explains that, due to modern medicine and improved health awareness, people are living longer. However, it discusses that community health centers and other organizations that take care of the aging population need to be equipped to deal with an aging clientele in order to guarantee their quality of life.
From the Paper "The predominant service made available to disabled older adults with developmental disabilities is community-based care (Lewis 2002). But current attitudes related to the provision of health promotion services, some physicians seem reluctant to provide appropriate care for these patients. Add to these the lack of formal training and financial incentives in the delivery of such care. It is, thus seen that it may take time before the quality of this type of health delivery system improves. Likewise, efforts at improving such a system and implementing it are beyond the control of regional health centers but lie in the hands of the legislature to allocate adequate resources and the Department of Health Services to collaborate with the regional centers and the Department of Developmental Services in realistically improving the delivery of appropriate health services to disabled older adults (Lewis)."
Abstract Chronic major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are three of the ten leading causes of disability in the United States. This paper hypothesizes that persons who suffer from chronic mental illness maintain a quality of life that is as high or higher than the general population.
From the Paper "Depression is characterized periods lasting at least two weeks in which a person either is depressed or loses interest or pleasure in nearly all activities. A person must also experience at least four of the following symptoms: "change in appetite or weight, sleep, and psychomotor activity; decreased energy; feelings of worthlessness or guilt; difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions; or recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation, plans or attempts" (American Psychiatric Association, 2000, p349). Persons categorized with chronic major depression may have a single episode that waxes and wanes or a series of depressive episodes may occur. Up to 15% of people who have severe major depression will die by committing suicide (American Psychiatric Association, 2000)."
This paper discusses that certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that lead to higher levels of disability, fatigue and depression will result in lower quality of life for MS patients.
Abstract In this article the writer discusses the nature of the relationship between disability, depression, fatigue and quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis. The writer notes that the focus of the research is to get a clearer understanding of the primary as well as secondary factors that affect people with multiple sclerosis. The writer also notes that, as stated by Benito-Leon et al, there exist many other factors that affect sufferers of multiple sclerosis, besides the impairment or rehabilitative nature of the disease.
Outline:
Scope of Study
Literature Review
Hypotheses
Method
Participants & Materials
Procedure
Results
Descriptive Statistics
Pearson Product Moment Correlation
Discussion
Findings
Study Limitations
From the Paper " MS research has not been focused on understanding the QOL among MS patients. Few studies have focused on the how the symptoms of MS affect noted measures of QOL. The general understanding is that as a whole MS seems to lower QOL; however few studies have been able to provide the necessary link between QOL, and specific aspects of MS related symptoms. Nortvedt and Riise completed a literature review and found that the literature was either validating the use of measurement criterions, focusing on the factors that influence QOL within MS patients, or focusing on using lift questionnaires to understand the impacts of MS. Many of the studies examined used similar measurement via quality of life questionnaires and clinical scales to identify the nature of the relationship between QOL and MS."
Abstract GDP, or gross domestic product, measures the output of goods and services within an economy by factors of production, e.g. labour, within a twelve month period. This paper focuses on explaining what GDP is, methods of measuring GDP and its limitations as a measure for the quality of life of residents.
From the Paper "There are other limitations of GDP's usefulness as an indicator of the quality of life that must also be evaluated. For example, GDP may not accurately reflect the total economic activity of a nation because items such as DIY and household labour (housewifery) are excluded as is the underground economy. Activities such as drugs and prostitution go unrecorded. Although such activities are illegal they are a highly lucrative business and the expenditure on these goods or services may amount to a sizeable sum that has therefore been withdrawn from the circular flow and disappeared into this underground sector from the national accounts. We cannot know for sure the exact amount that has been withdrawn but we can estimate this by analysing the demand for cash in the economy as illegal activity is usually conducted with cash."
Abstract This paper explores the experience of family members who are engaged in decision-making related to the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining interventions from another family member. It explains that the methodology used consists of a sample of four to five families who are contacted through ICU family conferences in one or two hospitals in which the conferences are concerned with the withholding or withdrawal of life support from a family member. The paper looks at how certain factors may be identified from family members' experiences that help to determine why the decision-making process is subject to wide variation.
The paper also notes that it is expected that certain family members engage in more effective decision making than others and that particular families engage in more effective decision making than other families. The paper highlights the fact that family decisions are rendered easier or more problematic by such variables as the person's prognosis, whether an acute or chronic illness is involved, perceived quality of life, degree of suffering, and the presence of an advance directive. The paper concludes that preparation for death most especially needs to be based in a team approach, and the emphasis should be upon the relationship between nurses and families and that the future needs of the family should be proactively considered once death has occurred.
From the Paper "Nurses and other healthcare providers normally initiate the discussion that lead to withdrawal of life-support but patients and families make the final decision. The experience of decision making is different for family members when an acute illness is involved from a situation of chronic illness. After a period of denial, families of patients with acute illness or injury can recognize the need for withdrawal of support much more quickly (McHale Wiegand, 2006). Certain behaviors by healthcare providers can increase the level of distress experienced by the patient's family."
Abstract In this article the writer notes that while overpopulation has long been a concern among population geographers, the acceleration of industrial development around the world in recent years has complicated analysis considerably. This essay critically explores this issue in order to interrogate the underlying assumptions linking development to population and quality of life. The paper demonstrates that correlation is not causality, in that economic growth and development may correlate with, but is not a causal factor in regard to, quality of life. Additionally, the paper relates that advocates of economic development as the curative measure for quality of life deficits in many countries frequently blur this distinction between correlation and causality in comparing and contrasting different jurisdictions and situations. The paper then shows that, nonetheless, these issues must be considered critically in a wider context in order to more fully understand the complexity of the debate and the flawed nature of the equation of economic development with quality of life.
Outline:
Introduction
Connections
Overpopulation, Rate of Development and Quality of Life Unequal Benefits: Development and Population
Conclusions and Solutions
Bibliography
From the Paper "However, the reality is much more complex. Critics argue that it is not only the fact of economic development but also the rate of economic development which is significant in assessing quality of life in that a highly accelerated level of growth reduces the capacity of the state or institutional forces to develop policies to address problems that are a consequence of growth. This can be seen in term of the damage to the Chinese environment.
"The Chinese government is aware of the environmental consequences of growth and, as in they did earlier with regard to China's birth policy, have taken steps to attempt to address some of these problems. For example, as forests are often cut to supply wood for building, fire and other human uses, China has embarked upon a highly ambitious tree planting program. This program has been successful to the degree that China has reported increasing its total forest cover."
Abstract This paper discusses a research which measures the effects of having a PEG tube (as opposed to NGT) inserted, on the patient's quality of life as it relates to their ability to communicate and swallow. Two research questions are answered in this paper: "Does a PEG procedure have an effect on the patient's ability to communicate their wishes and improve there satisfaction with the quality of their life in regards to self-care"? and "Does the PEG method offer more satisfaction in regards to quality of life than the NGT method"? The paper illustrates the importance of taking the individual patient's feelings, concerns and wishes into account and not just focusing on the clinical side of things.
From the Paper "There are two primary methods for administering food to patients who can no longer swallow or have difficulty swallowing. The first is by way of an NGT tube, which is inserted through the nasal cavity and goes into the stomach. This procedure severely limits the patient's ability to speak or swallow. The other popular method is PEG where a tube is inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall. In this case a patient's ability is speak or swallow is not limited by the procedure itself. However, in stroke patients this ability may already be impaired. Many of us consider the ability to communicate our own wishes and enjoy conversation with other human beings a factor in determining our quality of life. Being unable to communicate with another creates a feeling of isolation or helplessness."
Tags: stroke, dysphagic, aspiration, methodological, study
Abstract Gives a description of the concept of Quality of Work Life and TQM. This paper reviews some of the ways Saturn created an ideal work place where employees felt proud of what they were doing. It also looks at why corporations are turning to "greenfield projects" when wanting to implement a change in management styles.
From the Paper "People want to experience meaningfulness in and from their work. When it occurs employees are more likely to experience increased motivation to work, greater productivity, and job satisfaction. Employers benefit by increased production, less absenteeism and turnover, and higher-quality of work as well as having a more effective organization. (Fenner, Elizabeth 2004) The concept of Quality of Work Life and Total Quality Management is not new; but it is difficult to trace back to when the concept was first developed. The ideal is that individuals are paid and treated according to their individual worth; to develop one-on-one equal relationships between workers and management; (Braun, 1995, p. 18) to treat employees as an asset, not a burden."
