Children sometimes have subtle illness presentations and symptom overlap with non-serious conditions.1 Young age also presents a communication barrier. The combination of these factors can lead to diagnostic delays and sometimes misdiagnosis, particularly in emergency department (EDs) that do not see high volumes of children. In the USA, one in three EDs sees fewer than five children daily. A prior study linked low-paediatric ED volume to diagnostic delays in...

The term severe mental illness (SMI) refers to individuals with psychological conditions so profound that they significantly hinder their capacity to perform functional and occupational activities, with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder often being classified as SMIs.1 Evidence suggests that there is an association between an increased risk of multimorbidity and the presence of mental illness.2 However, the degree of association and the prevalence of...

Diabetes is a widespread chronic disease, with steadily rising prevalence in most countries. In 2019, the global prevalence of diabetes was estimated at 9.3%, affecting 463 million people. This figure is projected to rise to 10.2% by 2030 and 10.9% by 2045.2 All people with type 1 diabetes and many people...

This qualitative study explores the experiences of healthcare staff in creating safer cancer care environments for ethnic minority patients. People from ethnic minority groups, who face an increased risk of safety events, often encounter barriers such as language and cultural differences.1 The research highlights the diverse backgrounds of ethnic communities involved, emphasising the critical need for culturally competent care within global healthcare systems....

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is a widely recognised and well-established method of qualitative inquiry designed to explore personal experience in detail, focusing on participants’ understandings and sense-making.1 In this article, we explain what distinguishes an IPA case study from a typical IPA study and highlight the strengths and limitations of this approach. While IPA is frequently used with small samples, single-participant IPA case studies can offer unique insights into deeply personal or rare experiences.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a recommended treatment for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVDs), given the rising number of cardiac incidents due to ageing population and modern lifestyles.1 To improve accessibility and follow-up support for optimal health, e-platforms are increasingly being used. Virtual CR uses technology-based methods such...

Caesarean section (CS) rates are rising globally from 7% in 1990 to 21% in 2018.1 There is significant disparity between different economic environments across countries and within populations of the same country with the more affluent, more educated women often declaring a preference for CS.2 The use of appropriate CS has been a life-changing and...

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including maltreatment (abuse, neglect) and household challenges, have been identified as risk factors for various health conditions in adulthood.1 Chronic pain, particularly chronic widespread pain, is increasingly linked to ACEs.2 Theoretical frameworks propose that ACEs contribute to chronic pain through interconnected biological, psychological and social pathways, each triggering a cascade of effects that lead...

Advanced practice nursing (APN) refers to an expanded scope of practice beyond the generalist level to provide direct healthcare services, including prevention, diagnosis, therapeutics and illness management.1 2 APNs require roles and levels of practice based on measurable competencies.1 Competency frameworks can be used to develop APN graduate programmes and serve for quality improvement. A change in the legal framework for APNs’ roles and...

The prevalence of anxiety disorders, particularly in adolescent girls, is increasing; smartphone addiction is a potential causal factor. Kosola et al1 evaluated the potential correlation between smartphone use and the mental health and well-being of adolescent girls, particularly anxiety disorders.

This population-based study recruited over a thousand adolescent girls from 21 socially diverse schools who completed online...

Central venous access devices (CVADs) are required by children to allow the safe delivery of intravenous therapies that must be delivered in the large central veins of the body. CVADs are associated with many complications such as infections, thrombosis and occlusions.1 A strategy used to prevent such complications is to instil a solution into the catheter to provide a ‘lock’. There are many ‘lock solutions’ available and used within paediatric medicine. Current...

Rare diseases in babies, children and young people (children) are often life-shortening, and children can require constant caregiving. Bösch et al1 report that 82% of children in tertiary hospitals in the USA have a rare disease. This study was designed to establish...

Recruitment and retention of nursing staff has become a significant global challenge after the COVID-19 pandemic, with increased stress levels for both nurses and nursing students reported. Improving nursing education is one potential pathway to boost the nursing workforce, as nursing students often suffer from poor mental health and lack of sufficient preparation for the challenges of...

This article on realist reviews is the second in a four-part series on realist research.1–3 Evidence synthesis involves collating published research to address specific research questions,4 commonly centred around identifying what works for an average person within a population of interest.5 Systematic reviews are thought of as the universal gold standard in conducting evidence synthesis.5 6 However, when it comes to understanding intervention effectiveness, complementary knowledge is needed addressing why some interventions work and others do not, among whom they work best and in what contexts.3 In answering such questions, a different approach to systematic review methodology is required.

Realist reviews (or realist evidence syntheses) are a theory-building, interpretative approach to evidence synthesis. Realist reviews aim to go beyond seeking whether interventions work (ie, are effective), to generating explanations as to...

TIC is an approach that has emerged from recognition of the prevalence of psychological trauma.1 There is also increasing awareness of the avoidable harms that coercive practices such as detention and restraint cause to people using mental health services, particularly people who have experienced trauma.2 There...

Chronic pain, defined as pain persisting for more than 3 months, significantly impacts the quality of life and contributes to substantial healthcare costs globally. Despite its prevalence, effective management remains a challenge,...

Communication is a cornerstone of nursing practice and fundamental to establishing and maintaining relationships with individuals and their families. Nurses involved in the provision of perinatal palliative care work with women, babies and their families, during pregnancy, delivery and in the neonatal period. Effective therapeutic relationships with women and families empower parents, providing control and validation,1 enabling positive...