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Molecular characterization of chronic cutaneous wounds reveals subregion‐ and wound type‐specific differential gene expression

Abstract

A limited understanding of the pathology underlying chronic wounds has hindered the development of effective diagnostic markers and pharmaceutical interventions. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular composition of various common chronic ulcer types to facilitate drug discovery strategies. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of leg ulcers (LUs), encompassing venous and arterial ulcers, foot ulcers (FUs), pressure ulcers (PUs), and compared them with surgical wound healing complications (WHCs). To explore the pathophysiological mechanisms and identify similarities or differences within wounds, we dissected wounds into distinct subregions, including the wound bed, border, and peri-wound areas, and compared them against intact skin. By correlating histopathology, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), and immunohistochemistry (IHC), we identified unique genes, pathways, and cell type abundance patterns in each wound type and subregion. These correlations aim to aid clinicians in selecting targeted treatment options and informing the design of future preclinical and clinical studies in wound healing. Notably, specific genes, such as PITX1 and UPP1, exhibited exclusive upregulation in LUs and FUs, potentially offering significant benefits to specialists in limb preservation and clinical treatment decisions. In contrast, comparisons between different wound subregions, regardless of wound type, revealed distinct expression profiles. The pleiotropic chemokine-like ligand GPR15L (C10orf99) and transmembrane serine proteases TMPRSS11A/D were significantly upregulated in wound border subregions. Interestingly, WHCs exhibited a nearly identical transcriptome to PUs, indicating clinical relevance. Histological examination revealed blood vessel occlusions with impaired angiogenesis in chronic wounds, alongside elevated expression of genes and immunoreactive markers related to blood vessel and lymphatic epithelial cells in wound bed subregions. Additionally, inflammatory and epithelial markers indicated heightened inflammatory responses in wound bed and border subregions and reduced wound bed epithelialization. In summary, chronic wounds from diverse anatomical sites share common aspects of wound pathophysiology but also exhibit distinct molecular differences. These unique molecular characteristics present promising opportunities for drug discovery and treatment, particularly for patients suffering from chronic wounds. The identified diagnostic markers hold the potential to enhance preclinical and clinical trials in the field of wound healing.

Medium-term storage of calf beddings affects bacterial community and effectiveness to inactivate zoonotic bacteria

by Delphine Rapp, Colleen Ross, Vanessa Cave, Paul Maclean, Ruy Jauregui, Gale Brightwell

Land-spreading of animal faecal wastes -such as animal beddings- can introduce zoonotic enteropathogens into the food system environment. The study evaluated the effectiveness of animal beddings naturally contaminated by calf manure to reduce E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella enterica. The two pathogens were introduced separately as a four strains-cocktail and at high (>6.5 Log10 g-1) concentration into bedding materials, and their inactivation over a 10 weeks-period was monitored by using a Most Probable Number (MPN) enumeration method. Inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 was more effective in the bedding inoculated immediately after collection from calf pens than in the beddings inoculated after a 2 months-pre-storage period: E. coli O157:H7 levels were reduced by 6.6 Log10 g-1 in unstored bedding (0.5 Log10 g-1 recovered; 95%CI: 0.0–1.2), and by 4.9 Log10 g-1 in pre-stored bedding (2.2 Log10 g-1 recovered; 95%CI: 1.5–2.8) with a significant (pS. enterica was inactivated less effectively as counts were reduced by one order of magnitude, with no significant difference in inactivation between unstored and pre-stored beddings. Low levels of naturally occurring E. coli O157 and Salmonella spp. were detected in the non-inoculated beddings, as well as in the straw prior to use in the animal facility. To better understand the possible biological processes involved, the bacterial community present in the beddings was characterised by short-read 16S rRNA sequencing. Pre-storage of the bedding affected the composition but not the diversity of the bacterial community. Analyses of the key bacterial phyla suggested that the presence of a diverse and stable bacterial community might facilitate inactivation of the introduced pathogens, and a possible role of bacterial orders associated with lignocellulolytic resources. Overall, the study contributed to the understanding of the fate of zoonotic bacteria introduced in animal beddings during storage and identified bedding storage practices pre-and post-use in animal facilities that could be important to prevent the risk of zoonosis dissemination to the environment or to the dairy herds.

Friendship interventions for children with neurodevelopmental needs: A systematic review and meta-analysis

by Reinie Cordier, Lauren Parsons, Sarah Wilkes-Gillan, Matthew Cook, Matthew McCloskey-Martinez, Pamela Graham, David Littlefair, Cally Kent, Renée Speyer

Rationale

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, developmental language disorder (DLD), intellectual disability (ID), and social (pragmatic) communication disorder (SPCD) experience difficulties with social functioning due to differences in their social, emotional and cognitive skills. Previous systematic reviews have focussed on specific aspects of social functioning rather than broader peer functioning and friendships.

Objective

To systematically review and methodologically appraise the quality and effectiveness of existing intervention studies that measured friendship outcomes for children with ADHD, autism, DLD, ID, and SPCD.

Method

Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched five electronic databases: CINAHL, Embase, Eric, PsycINFO, and PubMed. Two independent researchers screened all abstracts and disagreements were discussed with a third researcher to reach consensus. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomised Trials.

Results

Twelve studies involving 15 interventions were included. Studies included 683 children with a neurodevelopmental disorder and 190 typically-developing children and diagnosed with either autism or ADHD. Within-group meta-analysis showed that the pooled intervention effects for friendship across all interventions were small to moderate (z = 2.761, p = 0.006, g = 0.485). The pooled intervention effect between intervention and comparison groups was not significant (z = 1.206, p = 0.400, g = 0.215).

Conclusion

Findings provide evidence that some individual interventions are effective in improving social functioning and fostering more meaningful friendships between children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their peers. Effective interventions involved educators, targeted child characteristics known to moderate peer functioning, actively involved peers, and incorporated techniques to facilitate positive peer perceptions and strategies to support peers. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of friendship interventions for children with DLD, ID and SPCD, more comprehensively assess peer functioning, include child self-report measures of friendship, and longitudinally evaluate downstream effects on friendship.

Nursing home nurses' opinions on the potential evolution of their role in antibiotic stewardship: A French national cross‐sectional survey

Abstract

Aims

To assess French nursing home nurses' opinions on the potential evolution of their antibiotic stewardship role, facilitators and barriers, and nurses' characteristics associated with their opinion toward new roles regarding antibiotic prescribing.

Design

We conducted a cross-sectional study in French nursing homes with ≥20 beds and for which an email address was available in a national database managed by the French government between May and June 2022.

Methods

A self-administered internet-based questionnaire of 43 closed-ended Likert items was sent to directors of eligible nursing homes by email asking them to forward the link to the questionnaire to the nurses and head nurses of their institution. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and χ2 tests.

Results

7215 nursing homes were sent the online questionnaire; 1090 participants completed it partially or totally and 923 fully filled in the questionnaire. A majority of nurses supported strengthening and expanding their antibiotic stewardship role. Regarding new roles, over 70% agreed that nurses could collect urine samples to perform a urine culture on their own initiative, prescribe microbiological laboratory tests, and change the drug formulation or the administration route of the antibiotic prescribed by the general practitioner.

One-third declared that they could initiate antibiotics for some infections and/or change the empirical antibiotic treatment prescribed by the general practitioner. Nurses from public nursing homes with connection to a hospital (27.5% vs. >35% for other status) and with recent experience in nursing homes (31% for <5 years of practice vs. 41% for 10 years or more) were less likely to agree to prescribe antibiotics.

Conclusions

This quantitative questionnaire survey identified potential new nurses' roles in antibiotic stewardship that seem to be acceptable and feasible for participants. These new nurses' roles need to be explored in future experimentations before considering implementation.

Reporting Method

The study adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines and followed the STROBE reporting guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

A self-administered internet-based questionnaire was sent to directors of eligible nursing homes by email asking them to forward the link to the questionnaire to the nurses and head nurses of their institution. Nurses and head nurses who were interested and willing could complete the questionnaire online partially or fully.

Trial and Protocol Registration

This study is not a clinical trial and is not eligible for trial registration. We used another suitable study registration site, the Center for Open Science.

Psychosocial interventions promoting personal recovery in people with schizophrenia: a scoping review protocol

Por: Quistgaard · M. · Myklebust · O. L. P. · Aure · T. · Austin · S. F. · Berring · L. L. · Vernal · D. L. · Storebo · O. J.
Introduction

Personal recovery is an important aspect for many individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, as people can live rich, fulfilling lives despite ongoing symptoms. Prior reviews have found several factors to be associated with personal recovery, but a comprehensive overview of the psychosocial interventions aimed at improving personal recovery in schizophrenia is needed.

Methods and analysis

Key terms relating to personal recovery and psychosocial interventions to promote personal recovery will be searched for in the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Web of Science Core Collection and Cochrane. Additionally, a simple search for grey literature will be conducted in The Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations. Two reviewers will individually screen and extract the data, and the selection of sources will be documented in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses flow chart. A content analysis will be conducted on the data, and the findings will be presented in tables, and narratively synthesised. Lastly, research gaps will be identified, and recommendations for future research will be proposed.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was not required for the development or publishing of this protocol. Findings will be disseminated through conferences, meeting with patient organisations and consumers, and published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Automated, high-throughput quantification of EGFP-expressing neutrophils in zebrafish by machine learning and a highly-parallelized microscope

by John Efromson, Giuliano Ferrero, Aurélien Bègue, Thomas Jedidiah Jenks Doman, Clay Dugo, Andi Barker, Veton Saliu, Paul Reamey, Kanghyun Kim, Mark Harfouche, Jeffrey A. Yoder

Normal development of the immune system is essential for overall health and disease resistance. Bony fish, such as the zebrafish (Danio rerio), possess all the major immune cell lineages as mammals and can be employed to model human host response to immune challenge. Zebrafish neutrophils, for example, are present in the transparent larvae as early as 48 hours post fertilization and have been examined in numerous infection and immunotoxicology reports. One significant advantage of the zebrafish model is the ability to affordably generate high numbers of individual larvae that can be arrayed in multi-well plates for high throughput genetic and chemical exposure screens. However, traditional workflows for imaging individual larvae have been limited to low-throughput studies using traditional microscopes and manual analyses. Using a newly developed, parallelized microscope, the Multi-Camera Array Microscope (MCAM™), we have optimized a rapid, high-resolution algorithmic method to count fluorescently labeled cells in zebrafish larvae in vivo. Using transgenic zebrafish larvae, in which neutrophils express EGFP, we captured 18 gigapixels of images across a full 96-well plate, in 75 seconds, and processed the resulting datastream, counting individual fluorescent neutrophils in all individual larvae in 5 minutes. This automation is facilitated by a machine learning segmentation algorithm that defines the most in-focus view of each larva in each well after which pixel intensity thresholding and blob detection are employed to locate and count fluorescent cells. We validated this method by comparing algorithmic neutrophil counts to manual counts in larvae subjected to changes in neutrophil numbers, demonstrating the utility of this approach for high-throughput genetic and chemical screens where a change in neutrophil number is an endpoint metric. Using the MCAM™ we have been able to, within minutes, acquire both enough data to create an automated algorithm and execute a biological experiment with statistical significance. Finally, we present this open-source software package which allows the user to train and evaluate a custom machine learning segmentation model and use it to localize zebrafish and analyze cell counts within the segmented region of interest. This software can be modified as needed for studies involving other zebrafish cell lineages using different transgenic reporter lines and can also be adapted for studies using other amenable model species.

'It was a joint plan we worked out together. How the I-WOTCH programme enabled people with chronic non-malignant pain to taper their opioids: a process evaluation

Por: Nichols · V. P. · Abraham · C. · Eldabe · S. · Sandhu · H. K. · Underwood · M. · Seers · K. · On behalf of the I-WOTCH team · Sharisse · Shyam · Lauren · Katie · Dawn · Furlan Andrea · Kirstie · C Paola · Ranjit · Andrea · Dipesh · Jennifer · Anisur · Jane · Tang Nicole · Stephanie
Background

The Improving the Wellbeing of people with Opioid Treated CHronic pain (I-WOTCH) randomised controlled trial found that a group-based educational intervention to support people using strong opioids for chronic non-malignant pain helped a significant proportion of people to stop or decrease opioid use with no increase in pain-related disability. We report a linked process evaluation of the group-based intervention evaluated in comparison to a usual-care control group that received a self-help booklet and relaxation CD.

Methods

We interviewed 18 intervention facilitators, and 20 intervention and 20 control participants who had chronic non-malignant pain and were recruited from general (family) practices in the UK. Quantitative data included change mechanism questions on the trial questionnaires which explored motivation, expectations and self-efficacy. Fidelity was assessed by listening to a sample of audio-recorded group sessions and nurse consultations. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated using ‘follow a thread’ and a mixed-methods matrix.

Findings

Four overarching themes emerged: (1) the right time to taper, (2) the backdrop of a life with chronic pain, (3) needing support and (4) the benefits of being in a group. Delivery fidelity was good, adherence (83%) and competence (79%) across a range of intervention groups. Staff delivering the intervention found three typical responses to the intervention: resistance, open to trying and feeling it was not the right time. The group experience was important to those in the intervention arm. It provided people with a forum in which to learn about the current thinking about opioid usage and its effects. It also gave them examples of how feasible or personally relevant coming off opioids might be.

Conclusion

The process evaluation data showed that the I-WOTCH intervention was well delivered, well received and useful for most interviewees. Being ‘the right time’ to taper and having support throughout tapering, emerged as important factors within the context of living with chronic pain.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN49470934.

Firearm injuries in Missouri

by Frederick P. Rivara, Ashley B. Hink, Deborah Kuhls, Samantha Banks, Lauren L. Agoubi, Shelbie Kirkendoll, Alex Winchester, Christopher Hoeft, Bhavin Patel, Avery Nathens

Firearm deaths continue to be a major public health problem, but the number of non-fatal firearm injuries and the characteristics of patients and injuries is not well known. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, with support from the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research, leveraged an existing data system to capture lethal and non-lethal injuries, including patients treated and discharged from the emergency department and collect additional data on firearm injuries that present to trauma centers. In 2020, Missouri had the 4th highest firearm mortality rate in the country at 23.75/100,000 population compared to 13.58/100,000 for the US overall. We examined the characteristics of patients from Missouri with firearm injuries in this cross-sectional study. Of the overall 17,395 patients, 1,336 (7.7%) were treated at one of the 11 participating trauma centers in Missouri during the 12-month study period. Patients were mostly male and much more likely to be Black and uninsured than residents in the state as a whole. Nearly three-fourths of the injuries were due to assaults, and overall 7.7% died. Few patients received post-discharge services.

Older adults’ perspectives on physical activity and sedentary behaviour within their home using socio-ecological model

by Naureen Akber Ali Meghani, Joanne Hudson, Gareth Stratton, Jane Mullins

Background

There are few studies that focus explicitly on the impact of the home environment on older adults’ sedentary behaviour (SB) and physical activity (PA) using the socio-ecological model (SEM). This study aims to investigate older adults’ PA and SB within the home environment integrating the SEM as a theoretical framework.

Methods

A qualitative exploratory research design was employed to conduct 33 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and five focus group (FGs; n = 16) with multi-diverse ethnic older adults (mean age 72±5 years). Using reflexive thematic analysis themes were generated from the data set and were interpreted using the SEM.

Results

The findings indicate that different levels of the SEM had an impact on older adults’ PA and SB. These include the 1) Individual level: Attitude, perception and motivation 2) Interpersonal level: Family and Friends: a motive to remain active 3) Organisational level: healthcare institutes, 4) Community level factors: Significance of social groups, 5) Physical Environment: Microenvironment and 6) Policy level factors (lockdown restrictions and healthcare system). This model can be utilised to foster activity within the home by focusing on the facilitators and barriers identified at each of these levels of influence.

Conclusion

The study findings suggest that modifying PA and SB in the home environment is complex and is influenced across different levels of the SEM. Therefore, a holistic approach is required that integrates these multiple influences. This understanding can inform the design of interventions that seek to optimize PA and minimize SB within the home environment.

Consecutive treatments of methamphetamine promote the development of cardiac pathological symptoms in zebrafish

by Jimmy Zhang, Anh H. Nguyen, Daniel Jilani, Ramses Seferino Trigo Torres, Lauren Schmiess-Heine, Tai Le, Xing Xia, Hung Cao

Chronic methamphetamine use, a widespread drug epidemic, has been associated with cardiac morphological and electrical remodeling, leading to the development of numerous cardiovascular diseases. While methamphetamine has been documented to induce arrhythmia, most results originate from clinical trials from users who experienced different durations of methamphetamine abuse, providing no documentation on the use of methamphetamine in standardized settings. Additionally, the underlying molecular mechanism on how methamphetamine affects the cardiovascular system remains elusive. A relationship was sought between cardiotoxicity and arrhythmia with associated methamphetamine abuse in zebrafish to identify and to understand the adverse cardiac symptoms associated with methamphetamine. Zebrafish were first treated with methamphetamine 3 times a week over a 2-week duration. Immediately after treatment, zebrafish underwent electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement using an in-house developed acquisition system for electrophysiological analysis. Subsequent analyses of cAMP expression and Ca2+ regulation in zebrafish cardiomyocytes were conducted. cAMP is vital to development of myocardial fibrosis and arrhythmia, prominent symptoms in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Ca2+ dysregulation is also a factor in inducing arrhythmias. During the first week of treatment, zebrafish that were administered with methamphetamine displayed a decrease in heart rate, which persisted throughout the second week and remained significantly lower than the heart rate of untreated fish. Results also indicate an increased heart rate variability during the early stage of treatment followed by a decrease in the late stage for methamphetamine-treated fish over the duration of the experiment, suggesting a biphasic response to methamphetamine exposure. Methamphetamine-treated fish also exhibited reduced QTc intervals throughout the experiment. Results from the cAMP and Ca2+ assays demonstrate that cAMP was upregulated and Ca2+ was dysregulated in response to methamphetamine treatment. Collagenic assays indicated significant fibrotic response to methamphetamine treatment. These results provide potential insight into the role of methamphetamine in the development of fibrosis and arrhythmia due to downstream effectors of cAMP.

Two mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease accumulate amyloid at different rates and have distinct Aβ oligomer profiles unaltered by ablation of cellular prion protein

by Silvia A. Purro, Michael Farmer, Elizabeth Noble, Claire J. Sarell, Megan Powell, Daniel Yip, Lauren Giggins, Leila Zakka, David X. Thomas, Mark Farrow, Andrew J. Nicoll, Dominic Walsh, John Collinge

Oligomers formed from monomers of the amyloid β-protein (Aβ) are thought to be central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Unsurprisingly for a complex disease, current mouse models of AD fail to fully mimic the clinical disease in humans. Moreover, results obtained in a given mouse model are not always reproduced in a different model. Cellular prion protein (PrPC) is now an established receptor for Aβ oligomers. However, studies of the Aβ-PrPC interaction in different mouse models have yielded contradictory results. Here we performed a longitudinal study assessing a range of biochemical and histological features in the commonly used J20 and APP-PS1 mouse models. Our analysis demonstrated that PrPC ablation had no effect on amyloid accumulation or oligomer production. However, we found that APP-PS1 mice had higher levels of oligomers, that these could bind to recombinant PrPC, and were recognised by the OC antibody which distinguishes parallel, in register fibrils. On the other hand, J20 mice had a lower level of Aβ oligomers, which did not interact with PrPC when tested in vitro and were OC-negative. These results suggest the two mouse models produce diverse Aβ assemblies that could interact with different targets, highlighting the necessity to characterise the conformation of the Aβ oligomers concomitantly with the toxic cascade elicited by them. Our results provide an explanation for the apparent contradictory results found in APP-PS1 mice and the J20 mouse line in regards to Aβ toxicity mediated by PrPC.

OptiBreech collaborative care versus standard care for women with a breech-presenting fetus at term: A pilot parallel group randomised trial to evaluate the feasibility of a randomised trial nested within a cohort

by Shawn Walker, Emma Spillane, Kate Stringer, Lauren Trepte, Siân M. Davies, Jacana Bresson, Jane Sandall, Andrew Shennan, the OptiBreech Collaborative

OptiBreech collaborative care is a multi-disciplinary care pathway for breech presentation at term, with continuity from a breech specialist midwife, including where chosen, for vaginal breech birth (VBB). Pilot randomised trial using unblinded 1:1 parallel group allocation to OptiBreech versus standard care, within a cohort. Participants were women with a breech-presenting fetus > 33 weeks, at four sites in England, January–June 2022. A two-stage consent process was used. Participants consented to undergo random selection to be offered a ‘new care process’, with a choice to accept it, or not. Primary objectives were to identify recruitment, acceptance, and attrition rates. Randomisation procedures and potential primary outcomes for a substantive study were also feasibility-tested. 68 women were randomised between January–June 2022. The consent process was acceptable to participants, but randomisation was unacceptable to women who specifically sought OptiBreech care. Two women withdrew due to concerns about sharing personal information. More women planned a VBB when randomised to OptiBreech Care (23.5% vs 0, p = .002, 95% CI = 9.3%,37.8%). Women randomised to OptiBreech care had: lower rates of cephalic presentation at birth (38.2% vs 54.5%), higher rates of vaginal birth (32.4% vs 24.2%), lower rates of in-labour caesarean birth (20.6% vs 36.4%), lower rates of neonatal intensive care (5.9% vs 9.1%), and lower rates of severe neonatal morbidity (2.9% vs 9.1%). Randomisation was stopped on the advice of the steering committee before the planned sample of 104, as lack of access to VBB within standard care prohibited comparison of outcomes. Demand for VBB is sufficient for a cohort study, but comparison of outcomes by 1:1 randomisation is not feasible. OptiBreech care would be best evaluated using stepped wedge cluster randomisation. Funded by the United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR300582). Clinical trial registration: ISRCTN 14521381.

Understanding strategies that foster nurses to act as clinical leaders in hospitals: A realist review

Abstract

Aim

To identify strategies that develop clinical nursing leadership competencies among staff nurses, and to explain the contextual elements and mechanisms that underpin the development of clinical nursing leadership competencies.

Design

Realist review according to the Realist and Meta-narrative Evidence Syntheses—Evolving Standards (RAMESES).

Data Sources

PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, PsycInfo and ProQuest were searched from January 2000 until October 2022.

Review Methods

Three iterative phases: (1) development of initial programme theory, (2) structured searches for relevant published and grey literature and (3) data synthesis and interpretation by researchers and theory triangulation, and discussions within the research group.

Results

Multiple context–mechanism–outcome configurations were extracted from 10 reports that explain how, under what circumstances and why strategies can facilitate (or discourage) staff nurses to act as clinical leaders. Reports were both quantitative and qualitative in design, originating from English-speaking countries only.

Conclusions

A logic model was developed and suggests four contexts and five mechanisms underlying the development of clinical nursing leadership. Growth in clinical nursing leadership was mainly experienced through experiential learning, which was enhanced by a supportive relationship with a coach or mentor, the use of reflective practices and modelling from other leaders. Furthermore, a supportive work environment triggers ownership, confidence and motivation, and thereby growth in clinical nursing leadership competencies.

Impact

Fostering competencies for clinical leadership among staff nurses requires multifaceted strategies. Strategies are successful if, and only if, they combine learning by doing, by knowing and by observing, and establish a responsive work environment. Hospital policy should ensure that staff nurses have access to reciprocal relationships with role models or a coach. In order to grow as clinical nurse leader, ownership and self-reflection on own leadership behaviour need to be facilitated.

No Patient or Public Contribution

Prospero ID CRD42021292290.

Interprofessional collaboration in telemedicine for long‐term care: An exploratory qualitative study

Abstract

Background

Widespread and sustained adoption of telemedicine in long-term residential care is emerging. Nursing home (NH) nurses play a key role in collaborating with remote physicians to manage residents' medical conditions through videoconferencing. Therefore, understanding of interprofessional collaboration and effective communication between nurses and physicians is critical to ensure quality of care and safety during teleconsultations.

Aims

To explore NH nurses' and physicians' experiences of interprofessional collaboration and communication during teleconsultations.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive design was adopted. Purposive sampling was conducted to recruit 22 physicians and nurses involved in NH teleconsultations. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted, and data were thematically analyzed.

Results

Three themes were identified: (1) Manner of communication in telemedicine, (2) sociocultural influences in collaborative practice, and (3) role expectations in telemedicine. Both nurses and physicians recognized the importance of building and maintaining trust as physicians heavily depended on nurses for provision of objective information for clinical decision-making. However, practice differences were observed between nurses and physicians during teleconsultations. Sociocultural influences such as power relations and language barriers also affected the nurse–physician relationship and interpersonal communication. Additionally, different performance expectations were identified between nurses and physicians.

Conclusion

Interprofessional collaboration in teleconsultations is challenging because of lack of in-person assessment and dependence on nurses for clinical information. In addition, expectations and communication styles differ among healthcare professionals. This study called for interprofessional telemedicine training with incorporation of shared mental models to improve role clarity and communication. Given the international-dominated healthcare workforce in long-term care, the development of cultural competency could also be considered in telemedicine training to enhance nurse–physician collaborative practice.

Clinical Relevance

Telemedicine is increasingly adopted in long-term care settings, where multidisciplinary healthcare professionals from different health institutions are involved in resident care. Interprofessional collaboration should be incorporated into telehealth education for enhanced clinical practice in this care delivery model.

Erasure of the young trans person: A critical discursive review of contemporary health care literature

Abstract

Introduction

Trans youth experience significantly higher rates of societal violence and ill-health compared to their cisgender peers. Although recent clinical guidelines for trans young people in health have paved the way for revolutionizing care, many trans young people still experience adversity in clinical settings. This discursive literature review provides a novel approach in exploring why trans young people experience violence in health care despite the availability of evidence-based resources and guidelines.

Design

Databases (CINAHL and Scopus) were systematically searched to identify qualitative literature on the experiences of trans young people (<18 years) in health care settings.

Method

Rather than synthesizing and presenting the literature, Fairclough's (2001) CDA methodology was used to critically analyze the literature as texts in a data corpus. The authors engaged with the data from a critical social theory perspective.

Results

Fifteen qualitative articles and one report (n = 16) on the experiences of trans young people (3–24 years) in health care settings were included. Two key discourses were identified in the literature. First, discourses that constituted the trans young person were identified in the definitions of ‘trans’ as a pathological incongruence and as alternate, self-determined ways of being. Further discourses were identified in the constitution of trans young people as victims, extra-pathological, and alternatively problematised as socially dysphoric. Second, discourses in health provider responses were identified in dismissive, gatekeeping, regulatory, and respectful practices.

Discussion

The discursive constitution of the trans young person as incongruent, vulnerable, and pathological is constituted and generated by dismissive, gatekeeping, and regulatory practices of health care providers. The analysis reveals how trans young people are considered pathological and deemed treatable (at the site of the body), in the interest of ‘protecting’ them from a perceived abject future of trans adulthood. The logic and violence of cisgenderism is uncovered as the foundation of these dominant discourses, whereby growing up cisgender is often presented as the only option in health care settings. The dominant discourses that constitute the trans young person in health care as incongruent, pathological, and vulnerable, alongside the reifying health care responses of dismissal, gatekeeping, and regulation contribute to the erasure of the young trans person.

Conclusion

This paper identified key discourses in the literature in how trans young people are constituted and regulated in health care. This review highlights an urgent need for further critical scholarship in trans health by trans researchers, from critical perspectives. Furthermore, it provides a starting point for critical reflection of health care provider and researcher practices and the re-imagination of trans-futurity for all young people in health care.

Clinical relevance

Nurses are situated at the forefront of health care delivery and play a crucial role in the advocacy and provision of culturally safe care. With this ideal proximity to clients, nurses can powerfully affect change through better understanding and reflecting on how regulatory practices constitute and position trans young people in health care. Nursing knowledge, such as cultural safety, can offer novel approaches in working towards safer ways of meeting the needs of trans young people.

Healthcare needs and assets of gender diverse older adults: A systematic integrative review

Abstract

Introduction

Gender diverse older adults often endure health disparities, encounter discrimination in healthcare settings, and experience lack of access to healthcare. However, members of this population also have assets that help to mitigate these healthcare challenges. A systematic integrative review was performed to synthesize recent studies of the healthcare needs and assets of gender diverse older adults living in the United States.

Methods

A search of PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar was conducted. Findings from selected studies were organized by theme and subtheme.

Results

Thirty-five articles met inclusion criteria. Seven themes were identified: (1) Inclusivity and acceptance, (2) Antidiscrimination protections, (3) Community, (4) Care of mind, body, and spirit, (5) End of life preparations, (6) Financial security, and (7) Intersectionality. These themes were further divided into 20 healthcare needs and 9 healthcare assets.

Conclusion

The findings call for increased training for healthcare providers to provide safe, gender-inclusive care environments; policy to combat discrimination across all healthcare settings; supportive community resources and healthcare advocacy; empowerment of gender diverse older adults through acknowledgment of their healthcare assets; and more research to discern the role of intersectionality in the applicability of the identified themes to gender diverse older adults of various sociodemographic backgrounds.

Clinical relevance

This review benefits clinicians by suggesting practice changes to address healthcare needs of gender diverse older adults while describing healthcare assets of this population for integration into health promotion initiatives.

Relaciones interpersonales y la influencia en la salud del trabajador de enfermería: una revisión integradora

Objetivo: investigar en la literatura científica el conocimiento producido sobre la influencia de las relaciones interpersonales para la salud del trabajador de la enfermería. Método: revisión integradora que ocurrió a partir de cuatro bases de datos, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), repositório Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) y Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL).Fue utilizado el operador booleano and para las combinaciones de los descriptores: ʽʽRelaciones interpersonales y Enfermería, ʽʽRelaciones interpersonales y Equipo de Enfermeríaʼʼ, ʽʽRelaciones interpersonales y Salud del Trabajadorʼʼ. Resultados: Fue evidenciado un bajo números de estudios publicados con esa temática. Sin embargo, los estudios desarrollados abordan los aspectos negativos de las relaciones interpersonales como responsables y contribuyentes para la aparición del estrés, Síndrome de Burnout y agotamiento emocional. Conclusión: Las relaciones interpersonales pueden interferir en la salud de los trabajadores de enfermería, frente a relaciones conflictivas en el ambiente de trabajo y la insatisfacción en el trabajo.

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