Browsing by Subject "POLICY"
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item Open Access Evaluating the best available social science for natural resource management decision-making(Environmental Science and Policy, 2017-07-01) Charnley, S; Carothers, C; Satterfield, T; Levine, A; Poe, MR; Norman, K; Donatuto, J; Breslow, SJ; Mascia, MB; Levin, PS; Basurto, X; Hicks, CC; García-Quijano, C; St. Martin, K© 2017 Increasing recognition of the human dimensions of natural resource management issues, and of social and ecological sustainability and resilience as being inter-related, highlights the importance of applying social science to natural resource management decision-making. Moreover, a number of laws and regulations require natural resource management agencies to consider the “best available science” (BAS) when making decisions, including social science. Yet rarely do these laws and regulations define or identify standards for BAS, and those who have tried to fill the gap have done so from the standpoint of best available natural science. This paper proposes evaluative criteria for best available social science (BASS), explaining why a broader set of criteria than those used for natural science is needed. Although the natural and social sciences share many of the same evaluative criteria for BAS, they also exhibit some differences, especially where qualitative social science is concerned. Thus we argue that the evaluative criteria for BAS should expand to include those associated with diverse social science disciplines, particularly the qualitative social sciences. We provide one example from the USA of how a federal agency − the U.S. Forest Service − has attempted to incorporate BASS in responding to its BAS mandate associated with the national forest planning process, drawing on different types of scientific information and in light of these criteria. Greater attention to including BASS in natural resource management decision-making can contribute to better, more equitable, and more defensible management decisions and policies.Item Open Access Modeling manpower requirement for a changing population health needs: The case of ophthalmic nurses and allied health ophthalmic professionals(Health Policy and Technology, 2019-09-01) Ansah, JP; Koh, V; De Korne, D; Jayabaskar, T; Matchar, DB; Quek, DBackground: Prevalence of chronic eye conditions has been shown to increase with age. As the global population continues to age rapidly, the demand for eye care services is expected to increase significantly in the near future, requiring effective health workforce planning in order to provide for the needs of the population. The aim of this paper is to synthesize data from a variety of sources to develop a simulation model based on the systems modelling methodology of system dynamics that links population health needs to workforce requirements to generate evidence-based projections for ophthalmic nurses, and allied health ophthalmic professionals in Singapore. Methods: A system dynamics simulation model was developed with active engagement of key stakeholders—such as ophthalmologists, senior nurses, healthcare planners and managers, and senior technicians—to verify the model structure and assumptions. The model project the future requirement of ophthalmic nurses, technicians and patient service assistants. Results: The number of Singaporeans with eye diseases is projected to more than double by 2040. As a result, the demand for eye care services and eye care workforce is expected to increase significantly under all the plausible scenarios. The increase in eye disease burden is due mainly to population aging—given that the prevalence of eye disease increases with age. Conclusion: This research provides a future demand outlook for ophthalmic nurses, technicians and patient service assistants in Singapore and has implications for recruitment and training of ophthalmic nurses and allied health professionals in Singapore.Item Open Access Trajectories of functional ability over the life course: a conceptual model of the interaction of stressor-induced functional loss and resilience.(System dynamics review, 2018-10) Matchar, David B; Ansah, John P; Koh, Victoria; Whitson, Heather EUnderstanding the factors that influence functional ability over the life course is integral to identifying clinical and public health policies to facilitate successful aging. The World Health Organization has advocated a conceptual framework to clarify the policy discussion. We have sought to translate this general framework into an explicit system dynamics model of the interaction of physiological loss, stressors and endogenous responses to produce a familiar variety of trajectories of functional ability over the life courses. Simulation experiments were implemented for both a 30-month duration with only one major stressor; and for the life course with an initial major stressor and subsequent stressors determined by the level of functional ability. For both contexts, variations in the few parameters in the scenarios led to a realistic range of trajectories of function over time.