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Purpose: Sociometric studies and adult reports have established that children with Language Disorder (LD) are at risk of peer relationship difficulties. However, we have limited knowledge of how children with LD understand friendship, whom they deem as a good or bad friend, and what role their friendship concepts play in their relationships with peers. This exploratory study aimed to conduct a qualitative investigation into the friendship concepts that children with LD hold and to explore their strategies for making friends. Methods: We conducted multiple, art‐informed interviews on the topic of friendship with 14 children with LD at the age of 6–8 years. Participating children were based in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. They attended enhanced provision, specific speech and language classes and mainstream classrooms. We used framework analysis to map children's responses to Selman's (1979) developmental model of interpersonal understanding, which espouses a theory of children's social development within the context of peer relationships. Results: The understanding of friendship formation in children with LD varied from physical presence to mutual support and sharing. Children's ideas about a good/bad friend represented the lowest developmental stage. Participants from the mainstream classroom demonstrated the highest stages of interpersonal understanding. Children with LD did not mention their language abilities as a barrier to making friends. Conclusion: There are limited studies exploring friendship directly from children with LD, and this study provides insights into this gap, by utilising art‐informed interviews. Children's immature understanding of a good/bad friend points towards a potential susceptibility to false friends, which we suggest needs further empirical validation. We also found that children with LD did not pay attention to their language difficulties when making friends, which raises questions about the ways diagnoses are shared with children. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: Children with Language Disorder (LD) are at risk of peer relationship difficulties. Studies to date are based on sociometrics and adult reports. Only a few studies employ participatory approaches to research with children, directly engaging children with LD when exploring their friendships What this paper adds: This paper directly asks children with LD about their understanding of friendship and strategies for making friends.Physical proximity and play are important to children.s understanding of friendship especially in recognising good and bad friends. This indicates potential reasons for children with LD being susceptible to false friendsAdditionally, children with LD do not perceive language and communication as a barrier to making friends. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: Concepts around friendship and good/bad friends should be routinely assessed and targeted (if appropriate) in interventions. The study highlights the need to continue discussing practices around sharing diagnoses with children with LD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the benefits of utilising community‐based care services (CBS) for people with dementia and their caregiver being well established, people with dementia and caregivers use fewer services in comparison to other people in need of care. While societal, cultural and logistical factors effecting caregiver use of CBS are frequently studied, research of internal emotional barriers, mental limitations created by one's own self that prevents open communication of thoughts and feelings, and their effect on CBS use is limited. This paper explores internal emotional barriers on caregivers' use of CBS within the Irish Healthcare System. Professional Healthcare Providers were also interviewed as a preliminary indicator of their awareness of these internal emotional barriers and their impact on caregivers' use of CBS. Using interpretive description methodology, interviews with 20 caregivers and fourteen dementia professional healthcare providers were transcribed and a thematic analysis methodology applied to illuminate themes/patterns within participants' subjective perceptions of caregivers emotional barriers to using CBS. Four themes emerge: reluctance to question general practitioner (GP) authority; embarrassment during level of care requirement reviews; sense of obligation to provide all care; and fear of stigma. Caregivers interviewed were reluctant to communicate concerns with professional healthcare providers (PHPs), thereby reducing the PHP's awareness of these barriers and delaying/preventing use of CBS. As key gatekeepers within the care pathway, GPs should address the uneven power dynamic with the caregiver through user‐centred models of care, which actively encourage open dialogue, and receive training to identify the indicative behaviours of internal emotional barriers and empower the caregiver to communicate their feelings/concerns directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore keyworkers’ experience and perceptions working with people experiencing homelessness and the use of psychologically informed approaches in an Irish context.Design/methodology/approach In this paper a qualitative descriptive methodology was employed and face-to-face in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data collected were analysed using a thematic framework and transcribed by the researcher.Findings It was the view of the keyworkers psychological approaches allowed them greater understanding of psychological trauma and its effects promotes safe physical and emotional environments builds rapport between staff and clients and enables keyworkers to work more effectively with people with complex needs. There was also convincing evidence staff are quite receptive to training.Originality/value Given there is no research exploring the use of psychologically informed approaches in homelessness service settings, this study researched an area that has not yet been explored in Ireland. This qualitative descriptive research provides a platform from which further research can be conducted. It is hoped that highlighting the psychological issues of homeless people, the data obtained will help improve Irish homeless services, and the findings extracted beneficial in terms of future service developments, professional training and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical inactivity levels are rising globally. In response, public health investigators have sought to design and implement effective interventions to raise levels of physical activity in populations, communities and individuals. Usually, such interventions are built around theories of behaviour change in which notions of motivation and incentivisation loom large. Drawing on focus group evidence derived in the context of a cluster RCT aimed at increasing levels of physical activity in the workplace, this paper offers a critical look at the factors that seemingly stimulate and sustain that activity. In particular, using novel methods of data analysis we illustrate how motives and motivation – often interpreted as a driving force 'in' individuals – can be more usefully seen as distributed; as a property of systems (incorporating technologies, organisational structures, and social interaction) rather than of persons. In our discussion, we outline various theoretical as well as empirical grounds for making such claims and conclude by drawing out the implications of our work for public health policy and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide growth in formal youth mentoring programmes over the past two decades is partly a response to the perception that young people facing adversity do not have access to supportive relationships with adults and positive role models in their communities to the degree they once had. Formal mentoring programmes facilitate the development of a friendship or ‘match’ between an older volunteer and a young person, with the objective of supporting the young persons’ personal and social development. Drawing on 66 semi‐structured interviews with young people, parents, mentors and caseworkers associated with nine youth mentoring matches in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Programme in Ireland, this paper analyses the forms of social support evident in the mentor–mentee relationships and highlights how the mentoring relationship was perceived to have impacted on the well‐being of the young people participating. The findings reflect the consensus in the mentoring literature that close, well‐established mentoring relationships have the potential to bring about meaningful change in the lives of young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study explores the attitudes of people with chronic health conditions towards the use of group-based telerehabilitation. Design: A qualitative research study. Setting: The setting involved semi-structured focus groups via videoconferencing software. Participants: A purposive sample of 18 people with chronic health conditions including cardiorespiratory, neurological and musculoskeletal conditions was recruited via national patient advocacy and support groups in Ireland and clinical contacts. The sample included both those who had, and had not, previously engaged in telerehabilitation programmes. Procedures: An online questionnaire collected demographic information and data regarding previous telerehabilitation participation and telerehabilitation preferences. Focus groups were conducted using videoconferencing software, in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) Checklist, and analysed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's methodology. Findings were triangulated with quantitative questionnaire data. Results: Four focus groups were conducted including participants with chronic cardiorespiratory (n = 8), neurological (n = 6) and musculoskeletal (n = 4) conditions. Three themes were identified regarding telerehabilitation: (a) benefits and facilitators (including convenience, increased service accessibility, social connection and technological support), (b) challenges and barriers (including technological access and literacy, limited 'hands-on' therapy, safety concerns and social limitations), and (c) preferences (regarding mode of delivery, content, duration and generic programmes for mixed-condition groups). Conclusions: Telerehabilitation is convenient for people with chronic conditions; however, concerns exist regarding the use of technology and the limitations of this healthcare delivery method. The role of telerehabilitation is valued, and future programmes should acknowledge patient preferences including a hybrid model of care, exercise and educational content, social interaction and synchronous components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing age-friendly communities is a significant global policy issue. The World Health Organization's (WHO) age-friendly cities and communities initiative significantly influenced the development of Ireland's Age-friendly Programme. This article critically examines the utilisation of the WHO age-friendly planning framework in the context of Ireland. It explores older adults' experience of living in a county which is currently implementing an age-friendly programme, and uses this analysis to assess how the age-friendly programme addresses older residents' needs, and to illustrate how the WHO conceptual and planning framework has worked in Ireland. The article reports on a qualitative case study which used constructivist grounded theory to explore the lived experience of older adults. The research identifies salient social and cultural dimensions of the day-to-day lived experience of older people which, although they impact on the age-friendliness of the places in which they live, are downplayed or neglected in the WHO framework. In critically analysing the transfer and relevance of the WHO age-friendly model in light of broader issues such as diversity of place, the dynamic nature of person–place relations, and the interplay between age-friendly policy and other age-related public policy, the article suggests ways in which the use of the WHO framework can be modified to accommodate better the diverse experience of older adults in Ireland, but also in other geographic and cultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the experience of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis living through the COVID‐19 pandemic. Design A qualitative descriptive design using semi‐structured interviews. Method: Purposive sampling was employed to recruit 13 participants with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis attending the respiratory department of a large urban teaching hospital in Limerick, Ireland. Data were collected between January 2021 and February 2021 through semi‐structured interviews, using an online platform. Reflective thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Results: Four key themes were identified from participant's experience of living through the COVID‐19 pandemic: (1) fear of contracting COVID‐19 disease, (2) living with reduced social interaction, (3) the adjustment in the relationship with healthcare professionals (HCP) and (4) navigating an altered landscape. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals have a key role in protecting the physical and psychological health of the person with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis during this time and into the future. Through being cognisant of the additional supportive care needs of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, HCP can focus on developing targeted interventions aimed to enhance care provision. Impact This study considers people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as a particularly vulnerable group whose experiences of living through the COVID‐19 pandemic warrant specific attention. Participants felt compelled to self‐isolate due to fear and anxiety of contracting COVID‐19 disease. Participants reported increased social isolation with some experiencing anger and resentment at loss of precious time with loved ones. Participants felt an increased responsibility for self‐monitoring their condition and had concerns about differentiating symptoms of COVID‐19 disease from an exacerbation. A variety of strategies that helped them cope through the pandemic were identified and also the important role these played. The results from this study can be used to inform HCP' understanding of challenges experienced by people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis during enforced restrictions related to the COVID‐19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article reports on findings from a study with recently qualified social workers on the use of social media in their practice. The findings reported here are drawn from a broader study on the use of electronic communications conducted with both newly qualified teachers and social workers. The focus group data reported here provide an insight into the practice realities associated with the use of social media by clients and social workers. The qualitative methodology employed helps to reveal the richness and complexity of technology use in practice. This rich picture reveals multi-directional surveillance, by clients and social workers, facilitated by social media. This includes surveillance by clients taking videos of meetings without consent. The article also highlights situations when social workers themselves consider it acceptable to gather information on clients through social media. The research identifies a range of ethical issues for social workers to navigate and highlights their need for support and guidance in the form of standards, codes, and education and training. The surveillance lens illuminates the ethical dilemmas being faced with reference to concepts such as power, privacy and consent as well as the broader debate of care and control in social work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To describe the enablers and challenges to the development and implementation of advanced nursing and midwifery practice roles in Ireland. Background: Leadership strategies need to be put in place to enhance the development and implementation of advanced nursing and midwifery practice roles. Method: A descriptive qualitative approach using semi‐structured interviews with key stakeholders (n = 15) was undertaken with nurses and midwives working in specialist and advanced practice roles and participants from other areas such as legislative, regulatory, policy, pharmacy, medicine and education. Results: Participant's perspectives on the enablers and challenges to enacting specialist and advanced practice roles resulted in the generation of three themes: organisational factors; collegial, interprofessional and interpersonal support; and role clarity, economic and regulatory contexts. Conclusion: Addressing organisational factors, encouraging collegial and interprofessional support and establishing role clarity contribute to the effective development and implementation of the role of advanced practitioners. Implications for nursing and midwifery management: Managers of nursing services need to provide leadership in developing strategies to enhance the enablers and overcome the challenges to advanced practice role development in their own organisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To explore lymphoma survivors' experiences on their end of treatment and follow‐up care at a large urban haematology centre in Ireland. Methods: This was a qualitative study using semistructured interviews with lymphoma patients post‐treatment (n = 14). Thematic analysis guided the analysis of interview data. The study adhered to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines. Findings: Five main themes were identified following analysis of the interview data: dealing with uncertainty, changed relationships, returning to work, extended recovery time and concerns for the future. Findings of note were that some participants were unaware that their treatment had ended, many experienced recurrent infections which prolonged recovery time, and many had no recall of discussions on healthy lifestyle behaviours or recommended screening programmes at their follow‐up visits. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the period of transition from active treatment to survivorship can be challenging for lymphoma survivors, and they experience ongoing needs. While the challenges of survivorship in lymphoma mirror those of other cancers, this cohort of patients require focused preparation for the end of active treatment and the transition to follow‐up care. Moreover, this patient group requires repeated specific education on late effects and second cancers, education with regards to identifying the signs of cancer recurrence and promotion of healthy lifestyle practices. Relevance to clinical practice: This study highlights the importance of a dedicated end of treatment visit with the clinical nurse specialist to confirm the completion of active treatment with lymphoma patients and focus on health promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]