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Purpose: Significant advances have been made in using applied methodological approaches. These approaches facilitate critical and creative ways to generate new knowledge, encouraging researchers to explore novel research questions which could not be sufficiently addressed using traditional "branded" methodologies. It is important that, in addition to design, researchers consider the most appropriate methods to collect data. The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of the draw and tell method in the context of an interpretive descriptive study. Design/methodology/approach: Given the challenges associated with eliciting responses from adolescent populations, in addition to the use of a semi-structured interview guide, the authors encouraged adolescent participants to produce drawings as part of an interpretive descriptive study. Findings: Despite the fact that drawings are seldom used with adolescents during research interviews, the authors found this method promoted conversation and facilitated deep exploration into adolescents' perspectives. Originality/value: The authors argue that this creative approach to data collection should be embraced by researchers engaging in applied methodological research, particularly with participants who may be challenging to engage. Drawings, although seldom used with adolescent research participants, can stimulate engagement and facilitate conversations.

The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of mental health services from the perspectives of adolescents with no prior service experience. Thirty students in the Transition Year (fourth year) of secondary school participated in this study: 22 females and 8 males, aged 15 to 16. There was equal distribution across rural and urban settings. Participants had no prior experience of accessing mental health services. Data were collected in secondary school settings in the Republic of Ireland. An interpretive description approach guided this study. Data were collected through individual interviews. To complement interviews, participants drew images of mental health care environments and mental health staff members; drawings were not subjected to analysis. Data (participant interviews) were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Three themes were identified. Participants suggested that "mental health services" differed from "psychiatric services," with the latter term perceived more negatively. Uncertainty about how to access these services was voiced. Considering the vulnerability of adolescents to the experience of mental distress, education around mental health services is warranted. It is expected that provision of education in this area would enhance service delivery, improve adolescents' help-seeking behaviors for mental distress, and reduce stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, there has been a growth of research on men's experiences of becoming fathers, most of which relates to a typically developing child without intellectual disabilities. While some studies have specifically explored the experiences of becoming a father of a child with an intellectual disability, there are few studies from an Irish context. Aim: The aim of this study was to present Irish fathers' narratives within the context of leading up to the diagnosis and the actual diagnosis of a child's intellectual disability. Method: A qualitative narrative inquiry design was used with ten fathers aged 31-48 years through semi-structured interviews. Results: This study is part of a larger study focusing on becoming a father of a child with an intellectual disability in Ireland. The findings related to finding out "something was wrong" with the child are presented. Conclusion: Fathers are emotionally affected by the diagnosis of a child's intellectual disability. Therefore, healthcare professionals need to be cognisant of the emotional upheaval that such a diagnosis can have on fathers and be sensitive to their needs in supporting them through this process.

Background: Down syndrome is a genetic condition that affects people of all races, nationalities and socioeconomic status. The incidence of Down syndrome in Ireland is estimated to be 1 in 546, with approximately 7,000 people with Down syndrome living in Ireland. While some families of individuals with Down syndrome may find it difficult to adapt, other families adapt successfully and some even thrive. The aim of this study, which is guided by the Resiliency Model of Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation was to examine linkages between family demands, family appraisal, family resources, family problem-solving communication and family adaptation in families of individuals with Down syndrome living in Ireland. Methods: "Ninety-five" parents (79 mothers, 16 fathers) of children with Down syndrome aged between 1 and 30 years completed six self-report measures designed to assess key dimensions of the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation. Results: This study found that families of children with Down syndrome can adapt and become resilient. Factors found to positively influence this process include family hardiness and affirming family communication. Factors that negatively influenced this process were incendiary family communication and view of the condition impact. Conclusion: Families of children with Down syndrome have the potential to lead full and productive lives and positively adapt to their child's diagnosis. Early recognition of the difficulties being experienced by families and the provision of interventions that target and foster positive resiliency traits such as affirmative communication and the development of overall family hardiness are key to adaptation.

Context: Male amateur marathon runners represent a unique subset of the population who may be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to their underlying risk factors and their involvement in vigorous exercise such as marathon running. Objective: To assess the modifiable risk factors (MRFs) of CVD in experienced male amateur marathon runners and health interventions on CVD risk factors. Data Sources: CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, and SPORTDiscus. Study Selection: Studies selected according to the inclusion criteria. Study Design: Systematic review. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Data Extraction: The publication dates included were from June 1, 2008 to February 29, 2020. Published primary epidemiological, observational, randomized controlled trial (RCT) and/or non-RCT studies assessing the MRFs of CVD and health interventions on CVD risk factors in male amateur marathon runners aged ≥18 years and written in the English language were included in the review. Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria for analysis. These included male amateur marathon runners (n = 862), aged 42 to 77 years. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and alcohol use were MRFs positively associated with an increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis found in a subset of male marathon runners. No studies examined health interventions on CVD risk factors in any of the included studies. All 5 studies were of good quality from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute quality assessment tools used. The risk of bias was low to moderate. Conclusion: There is a paucity of observational studies evaluating the CVD MRFs. Negative lifestyle behaviors exist within this population despite their engagement in physical exercise through marathon running. Marathon running does not negate the long-term effects caused by past negative lifestyle behaviors. This systematic review identifies that this population may not be aware of their possible risk of atherosclerosis and, consequently, CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent programmes are often used in the clinical management of children with ADHD. Research into parent programmes has predominantly been concerned with their effectiveness and much less attention has been paid to the impact that they may be having on the family and the inter-relationships between family members. This study explores the perspectives and experiences of parents of children with ADHD, who participated in a parent programme, including its impact on the family unit. A purposive sample of six mothers of children with ADHD who completed a 1-2-3 Magic parent programme in Ireland was invited to take part in this qualitative study. Data were collected by means of individual in-depth, semi-structured interviews and a narrative inquiry approach further informed analysis of the interview data. Two major narrative constructions of experience: 'parent programme as positive' and 'parent programme as negative' were identified. Outcomes from this study illustrated some unintended consequences caused by the parent programme (i.e. sibling rivalry and conflict arising between family members). Mothers believed that the parent programme was a beneficial intervention, but it was not without its flaws and they felt it was helpful for their family when used in conjunction with other supports and mediations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Information on the preferences of people with asthma for support in managing a flare-up can inform service design which may facilitate appropriate help-seeking. To date, little is known about support preferences for managing a flare-up. The aim of this study was to develop and pilot a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to elicit the preferences of people with asthma with regards to support in managing a flare-up. Methods: Steps in developing the DCE included identification and selection of attributes and levels of the support services, construction of choice tasks, experimental design, construction of DCE instrument, and pretest (n=16) and pilot (n=38) studies of the DCE instrument. A multinomial logit model was used to examine the strength and direction of the six attributes in the pilot study. Results: Our results indicate that from a patient perspective, having a healthcare professional that listens to their concerns was the most valued attribute of support in asthma flare-up management. The other features of support valued by participants were timely access to consultation, a healthcare professional with knowledge of their patient history, a specialist doctor and face-to-face communication. Having a written action plan was the least valued attribute. Conclusions: Our findings suggest patient preference for a model of support in managing their symptoms which includes timely, face-to-face access to a healthcare professional that knows them and listens to their concerns. The findings of the pilot study need to be verified with a larger sample and using models to account for preference heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a report on the development of the second part of a national undergraduate interprofessional standardized curriculum in chronic disease prevention for healthcare professionals in the Republic of Ireland; National Undergraduate Curriculum for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Part 2: Self-management Support for Chronic Conditions. The development processes involved in Part 1, Making Every Contact Count for Health Behavior Change, were described earlier. This report presents an overview of the development of a national self-management support curriculum and barriers and enablers encountered. The curriculum was developed by a National Working Group, with interprofessional representation from each of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Ireland and the national health service, i.e. the Health Service Executive (HSE). All phases of the project were overseen by a Steering Group and supported in each HEI by a local working group. The aim of the curriculum is to introduce standardized self-management support education across all undergraduate and graduate entry healthcare programmes nationally to prepare future healthcare professionals with knowledge, skills and attitudes to support individuals to self-manage their chronic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]