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Incertidumbre en madres de niños y adolescentes diagnósticados con Leucemia Linfoblástica Aguda de la Fundación San Ezequiel Moreno, Bogotá

Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de incertidumbre en madres y/o padres de niños y adolescentes diagnosticados con leucemia linfoblastica aguda (LLA) de la Fundación San Ezequiel Moreno, Bogotá. Método: Estudio descriptivo cuantitativo por análisis transversal, realizado a 14 madres de niños y adolescentes con la enfermedad. Resultados: El 79% de las madres presentó un alto nivel de incertidumbre. Según la incertidumbre atribuida a la ambigüedad  para el 50% de las madres sus hijos cambia impredeciblemente, 43% no han podido planear el futuro y 50% les es confuso el cuidado con el niño. Según la falta de información el 43% no sabe qué les ocurre, siendo difícil entender el tratamiento. En la imprevisibilidad 79% no sabe cuánto durará, cuál será el curso que tomará la enfermedad. Conclusiones: El apoyo del cónyuge representa un factor fundamental para las madres. La ambigüedad refleja el desconocimiento del tratamiento, además del tiempo que transcurre la enfermedad.

“Te echo de menos Papá” relato en primera persona de una cuidadora familiar y profesional

Es frecuente que pasar por un proceso de enfermedad, ingreso hospitalario o institucionalización, propio o de un familiar cercano, nos “abra los ojos” a los profesionales respecto a las necesidades de las personas que cuidamos y nos hagan ver de otra forma los cuidados. La siguiente narrativa está basada en la experiencia personal de una auxiliar de Enfermería que trabaja en un contexto de residencia y centro de día para Mayores con Alzheimer. La interacción entre el dolor por la pérdida, el sentimiento de que podía haber disfrutado más del cuidado de su familiar y la sensación de bloqueo caracterizan a esta narrativa que deja un trasfondo ambivalente entre el agradecimiento por el aprendizaje de vida y la sensación de haber podido hacer algo más por su familiar.

Leche materna versus sacarosa ante punción venosa y heel prick

Introducción: Las intervenciones que realizamos a los RN ingresados en nuestra unidad pueden causar dolor y estrés, traduciéndose en signos conductuales y fisiológicos. Método: Se realizó un ensayo clínico controlado aleatorizado en la UCI de neonatos durante un año, el objetivo fue conocer si existen diferencias significativas en cuanto al uso de leche materna vs sacarosa 25% como método analgésico no farmacológico en la realización de procedimientos dolorosos (punción venosa y punción del talón). Se usó para evaluar el dolor la escala de Susan Given Bells (antes y tras 2minutos de nuestra intervención). Material: Se incluyeron los recién nacidos entre 25-40 se-manas de gestación y que no cumpliesen criterios de exclusión. Resultados: Se usó para el análisis estadístico la t-student y el test de chi cuadrado, observando como principal resultado que en la extracción venosa (N=59) es más efectivo el uso de leche materna, sufriendo menor aumento del dolor tras la misma(p<0,029). También se observa relación significativa entre la edad gestacional corregida y el dolor tras la extracción venosa, obteniendo que los recién nacidos > 32 semanas tienen mayor aumento de dolor posterior (p<0,011). En la de punción de talón (N=76), no se hallaron diferencias entre la sacarosa y leche materna, tampoco al analizar otras variables (sexo, edad gestacional, crecimiento intrauterino retardado, llanto o canguro) Conclusiones: Se propone el uso de leche materna como método anal-gésico para el control del dolor en punción de talón y extracción venosa. Ya que demuestra su eficacia y carece de efectos secundarios.

Duelo conyugal ante una muerte traumática

En este relato biográfico se abordó la experiencia de una mujer que perdió a su marido en un trágico e impactante accidente, siendo testigo ella del suceso. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer la vivencia personal ante esta muerte inesperada y cómo afrontó el proceso de duelo. Se llevó a cabo un abordaje cualitativo descriptivo basado en una entrevista en profundidad para analizar esta experiencia en su vida. La informante aportó una reflexión crítica sobre su vivencia a nivel personal, familiar y espiritual, con el fin de que su testimonio, pueda ayudar a otras personas que vivan una situación similar. Se abordó el hecho desde el accidente hasta la actualidad. Describió esta experiencia como la más difícil de su vida. Se constató un espíritu de aceptación muy apoyado en el entorno familiar y en la fe cristiana.

Análisis descriptivo de las características y consecuencias de las caídas en un hospital de agudos

Objetivo principal: Conocer las características y consecuencias de las caídas en el Hospital Universitario Son Llàtzer. Metodología: Análisis descriptivo retrospectivo durante 7 años, de todos los pacientes que sufrieron una caída hospitalaria. Resultados principales: El 41% de pacientes eran mayores de 66 años. Variables como el riesgo, patologías previas y tratamiento farmacológico son factores relacionados con sufrir una caída. La mayoría de caídas ocurrieron en el área de hospitalización (91,3%), con el paciente solo (76,3%), en la habitación (59,5%), durante actividades de movilización (46,8%) o a causa de un resbalón (35,8%), en el turno de noche (45,2%) y sin lesiones (69,6%). Conclusión principal: En las caídas hospitalarias no influye un único factor, sino que son múltiples las variables que intervienen; tanto factores del propio paciente como factores estructurales.

Formación de Enfermeras en el Manejo del Paciente Portador de Membrana de Oxigenación Extracorpórea (ECMO)

Objetivo principal: Conocer la importancia de la formación de enfermeras en terapia ECMO para mejorar habilidades y competencias enfermeras y cuidados al paciente. Metodología: Se realizó la búsqueda bibliográfica en Pubmed y Cinahl. Tras aplicar filtros para limitarla a los criterios de inclusión, se obtuvieron 223 y 933 artículos, respectivamente. En la lectura crítica para los artículos seleccionados, se utilizaron las parrillas STROBE y CASPe. Resultados principales: Tras realizar simulaciones con ECMO y recibir formación, los participantes sentían mejora personal. Se presentaron evaluaciones del plan de estudios que incluían la aplicabilidad del material, comprensión de conceptos y mayor confianza y seguridad. La simulación tuvo impacto positivo en las habilidades y el manejo del paciente. Conclusión principal: La formación con simulación mejora las habilidades y competencias enfermeras y la calidad de los cuidados.

¿Requieren vigilancia neurológica adicional los pacientes que pierden accidentalmente el catéter epidural?

Objetivo. El hematoma epidural espinal es una complicación rara pero grave que se puede producir durante el uso concomitante de heparinas de bajo peso molecular y un catéter epidural, hecho frecuente en los pacientes en periodo posquirúrgico. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer si los pacientes que pierden el catéter epidural accidentalmente antes de 10-12 horas de haber recibido la última dosis de heparinas de bajo peso molecular, deben mantener reposo en cama y vigilancia neurológica en las siguientes 8 horas tras detectar la salida del catéter. Metodología. Se formuló la pregunta de investigación en formato PICO y se procedió a la búsqueda bibliográfica en las bases de datos PubMed y CINAHL usando palabras clave y descriptores de MesH y DeCS. Se seleccionaron los artículos con antigüedad inferior a 10 años. Resultados. En la búsqueda bibliográfica se obtuvieron estudios de casos y revisiones sistemáticas, mayoritariamente en el idioma inglés. Se analizó como artículo principal la revisión realizada por Domenicucci et al. obteniendo buena calidad de evidencia científica.Discusión. Tras analizar la bibliografía obtenida, se concluyó que la vigilancia neurológica posterior a cualquier técnica neuroaxial es importante para prevenir las consecuencias de un hematoma epidural espinal, aunque no se encontró evidencia para el caso concreto de la pérdida accidental del catéter. Serían necesarios otros estudios que analicen la situación posterior a la salida accidental del catéter epidural para poder responder la pregunta de investigación.

 

ABSTRACT

Objective. Spinal epidural hematoma is a rare but severe complication that can be produced during the use of low weigh molecular heparins and an epidural catheter at the same time, frequently seen fact in patients in their postoperative period. The objective of this work is to know if patients with an accidentally pulled out catheter before 10-12 hours of the last low weigh molecular heparins administration, must keep bed resting and neurological vigilance in the next 8 hours after the detection of the accidental extraction. Methodology. Investigation question was formulated in the PICO model and searching was implemented in PubMed and CINAHL databases, using both free keywords and descriptors of MesH and DeCs. Articles in the last 10 years were selected. Results. Case reports and systematic reviews were obtained in the bibliographic search, mostly in English. The review done by Domenicucci et al. was analyzed as the main article getting a good quality of evidence. Discussion. After analyzing the obtained literature it was concluded that neurologic vigilance is important to prevent the consequences of a spinal epidural hematoma after any neuroaxial technique, but there was no evidence found about the particular case of an accidental extraction of the catheter. Further research analyzing the subsequent situation after the catheter pulling out, would be necessary to answer the investigation question.

Authentic allyship for gender minorities

Abstract

The visibility and discussion on the rights and needs of Trans and Non-Binary communities in relation to healthcare have seen growing prominence in recent years. Despite an overall improvement in access to legal protections, civil rights, and in many jurisdictions specialist provision of healthcare for gender minorities, there remain poorer health outcomes in many areas and ongoing experiences of discrimination and transphobia. In this article, we set out the prerogative for nurses to step up as authentic allies for Trans and Non Binary people and put forward strategies to enhance the experience of gender minorities in healthcare through practice, education, and systems change.

La trascendencia de los cuidados invisibles

Los cuidados invisibles se engloban en la práctica de los cuidados y se relacionan con la parte emocional, la humanización y la trascendencia. Es la parte no técnica, pero que acompaña a los diferentes procedimientos y técnicas de unos cuidados profesionalizados. Objetivo. Analizar los cuidados que realizan los profesionales de enfermería sobre las dimensiones de los cuidados invisibles para un mayor conocimiento y reconocimiento de estos, por los profesionales y la institución. Metodología. Se trata de una investigación mixta. Una parte, con un diseño cualitativo fenomenológico, y otra, con un diseño observacional descriptivo y transversal. Los participantes implicados serán los pacientes y los profesionales de enfermería de las diferentes unidades y servicios del Hospital Universitario Son Espases. Para la recogida de los datos cualitativos se utilizará la entrevista grupal para explorar la percepción de los cuidados invisibles. Para la recogida de los datos cuantitativos se utilizará la herramienta Microsoft Forms 365® para la recogida de las respuestas del cuestionario de percepción del cuidado invisible de enfermería (PCIE, dirigido a los pacientes), y el cuestionario Care-Q que evalúa las dimensiones de los cuidados invisibles y el cuestionario ad hoc para identificar acciones de cuidados invisibles (dirigidos a los profesionales). Posteriormente, se implantará en el programa Millennium® para el registro de los cuidados invisibles en los planes de cuidados y visibilizar el valor que representan en el cuidado global y el tiempo dedicado en la jornada laboral.

Abstract

Invisible care is included in the practice of care and is related to the emotional part, humanization and transcendence. It is the non-technical part, but it accompanies the different procedures and techniques of professionalized care. Objective. Analyze the care provided by nursing professionals on the dimensions of invisible care for greater knowledge and recognition of these, by professionals and the institution. Methodology. It is a mixed investigation. One part, with a qualitative phenomenological design, and another, with a descriptive and cross-sectional observational design. The participants involved will be the patients and nurses from the different units and services of the Son Espases University Hospital (HUSE). For the collection of qualitative data, the group interview will be used to explore the perception of invisible care. For the collection of quantitative data, the Microsoft Forms 365® tool will be used to collect the responses to the perception questionnaire of invisible nursing care (PCIE, aimed at patients), and the Care-Q questionnaire that evaluates the dimensions of invisible care and the ad hoc questionnaire to identify invisible care actions (aimed at nurses). Later, it will be implemented in the Millennium® program to record invisible care in care plans and make visible the value they represent in global care and the time spent during the workday.

Robust cardiac segmentation corrected with heuristics

by Alan Cervantes-Guzmán, Kyle McPherson, Jimena Olveres, Carlos Francisco Moreno-García, Fabián Torres Robles, Eyad Elyan, Boris Escalante-Ramírez

Cardiovascular diseases related to the right side of the heart, such as Pulmonary Hypertension, are some of the leading causes of death among the Mexican (and worldwide) population. To avoid invasive techniques such as catheterizing the heart, improving the segmenting performance of medical echocardiographic systems can be an option to early detect diseases related to the right-side of the heart. While current medical imaging systems perform well segmenting automatically the left side of the heart, they typically struggle segmenting the right-side cavities. This paper presents a robust cardiac segmentation algorithm based on the popular U-NET architecture capable of accurately segmenting the four cavities with a reduced training dataset. Moreover, we propose two additional steps to improve the quality of the results in our machine learning model, 1) a segmentation algorithm capable of accurately detecting cone shapes (as it has been trained and refined with multiple data sources) and 2) a post-processing step which refines the shape and contours of the segmentation based on heuristics provided by the clinicians. Our results demonstrate that the proposed techniques achieve segmentation accuracy comparable to state-of-the-art methods in datasets commonly used for this practice, as well as in datasets compiled by our medical team. Furthermore, we tested the validity of the post-processing correction step within the same sequence of images and demonstrated its consistency with manual segmentations performed by clinicians.

Cohort profile: recruitment and retention in a prospective cohort of Canadian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Por: Cherry · N. · Adisesh · A. · Burstyn · I. · Durand-Moreau · Q. · Galarneau · J.-M. · Labreche · F. · Ruzycki · S. M. · Zadunayski · T.
Purpose

Healthcare workers were recruited early in 2020 to chart effects on their health as the COVID-19 pandemic evolved. The aim was to identify modifiable workplace risk factors for infection and mental ill health.

Participants

Participants were recruited from four Canadian provinces, physicians (medical doctors, MDs) in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and healthcare aides (HCAs) in Alberta and personal support workers (PSWs) in Ontario. Volunteers gave blood for serology testing before and after vaccination. Cases with COVID-19 were matched with up to four referents in a nested case-referent study.

Findings to date

Overall, 4964/5130 (97%) of those recruited joined the longitudinal cohort: 1442 MDs, 3136 RNs, 71 LPNs, 235 PSWs, 80 HCAs. Overall, 3812 (77%) were from Alberta. Prepandemic risk factors for mental ill health and respiratory illness differed markedly by occupation. Participants completed questionnaires at recruitment, fall 2020, spring 2021, spring 2022. By 2022, 4837 remained in the cohort (127 had retired, moved away or died), for a response rate of 89% (4299/4837). 4567/4964 (92%) received at least one vaccine shot: 2752/4567 (60%) gave postvaccine blood samples. Ease of accessing blood collection sites was a strong determinant of participation. Among 533 cases and 1697 referents recruited to the nested case-referent study, risk of infection at work decreased with widespread vaccination.

Future plans

Serology results (concentration of IgG) together with demographic data will be entered into the publicly accessible database compiled by the Canadian Immunology Task Force. Linkage with provincial administrative health databases will permit case validation, investigation of longer-term sequelae of infection and comparison with community controls. Analysis of the existing dataset will concentrate on effects on IgG of medical condition, medications and stage of pregnancy, and the role of occupational exposures and supports on mental health during the pandemic.

Supporting adolescents participation in muscle-strengthening physical activity: protocol for the 'Resistance Training for Teens (RT4T) hybrid type III implementation-effectiveness trial

Por: Kelly · H. T. · Smith · J. J. · Verdonschot · A. · Kennedy · S. G. · Scott · J. J. · McKay · H. · Nathan · N. · Sutherland · R. · Morgan · P. J. · Salmon · J. · Penney · D. · Boyer · J. · Lloyd · R. S. · Oldmeadow · C. · Reeves · P. · Pursey · K. · Hua · M. · Longmore · S. · Norman · J. · Vo
Introduction

In Australia, only 22% of male and 8% of female adolescents meet the muscle-strengthening physical activity guidelines, and few school-based interventions support participation in resistance training (RT). After promising findings from our effectiveness trial, we conducted a state-wide dissemination of the ‘Resistance Training for Teens’ (RT4T) intervention from 2015 to 2020. Despite high estimated reach, we found considerable variability in programme delivery and teachers reported numerous barriers to implementation. Supporting schools when they first adopt evidence-based programmes may strengthen programme fidelity, sustainability, and by extension, programme impact. However, the most effective implementation support model for RT4T is unclear.

Objective

To compare the effects of three implementation support models on the reach (primary outcome), dose delivered, fidelity, sustainability, impact and cost of RT4T.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a hybrid type III implementation–effectiveness trial involving grade 9 and 10 (aged 14–16 years) students from 90 secondary schools in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Schools will be recruited across one cohort in 2023, stratified by school type, socioeconomic status and location, and randomised in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive one of the following levels of implementation support: (1) ‘low’ (training and resources), (2) ‘moderate’ (training and resources+external support) or ‘high’ (training and resources+external support+equipment). Training includes a teacher workshop related to RT4T programme content (theory and practical sessions) and the related resources. Additional support will be provided by trained project officers from five local health districts. Equipment will consist of a pack of semiportable RT equipment (ie, weighted bars, dumbbells, resistance bands and inverted pull up bar stands) valued at ~$A1000 per school. Study outcomes will be assessed at baseline (T0), 6 months (T1) and 18 months (T2). A range of quantitative (teacher logs, observations and teacher surveys) and qualitative (semistructured interviews with teachers) methods will be used to assess primary (reach) and secondary outcomes (dose delivered, fidelity, sustainability, impact and cost of RT4T). Quantitative analyses will use logistic mixed models for dichotomous outcomes, and ordinal or linear mixed effects regression models for continuous outcomes, with alpha levels set at p

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been obtained from the University of Newcastle (H-2021-0418), the NSW Department of Education (SERAP:2022215), Hunter New England Human Research Ethics Committee (2023/ETH00052) and the Catholic Schools Office. The design, conduct and reporting will adhere to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement, the Standards for Reporting Implementation Studies statement and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist. Findings will be published in open access peer-reviewed journals, key stakeholders will be provided with a detailed report. We will support ongoing dissemination of RT4T in Australian schools via professional learning for teachers.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12622000861752.

Ethical inclusion: Risks and benefits of research from the perspective of perinatal people with opioid use disorders who have experienced incarceration

by Julia Reddy, Kristel Black, Keia Bazemore, Kiva Jordan, Jamie B. Jackson, Andrea K. Knittel

Background

Research ethics guidelines and emphasis on representation in research guide the inclusion of marginalized groups, including people with perinatal opioid use disorders (OUD) and people experiencing incarceration in the United States. However, insights from participants regarding the risks and benefits of participation are not adequately considered. The aim of this study was to examine the risks and benefits of research participation from the perspective of pregnant/postpartum people with OUD who have experienced incarceration.

Design

We recruited people who had experience with perinatal incarceration and were either currently pregnant or postpartum, and at least 18 years old. All participants met the clinical criteria for OUD. Our study did not have exclusion criteria based on gender, race, or ethnicity.

Setting

Participants were either currently incarcerated at the North Carolina Correctional Institute for Women in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States or had previously experienced perinatal incarceration and were recruited from a perinatal substance use disorder treatment program located in North Carolina.

Participants

Between 9/2021-4/2022, we completed 12 interviews with pregnant/postpartum people with OUD, approximately half who were currently incarcerated and half with a recent history of perinatal incarceration.

Intervention/measurement

Interviews were conducted via Webex phone or video. The interviews followed a scripted interview guide and lasted one hour on average. Interview transcripts were analyzed using the Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction technique to produce an overarching thematic framework.

Findings

Our analysis identified benefits, including the personal advantage of self-expression, helping others and contributing to change, and financial incentives. Risks included stigma and breach of confidentiality, misunderstanding of the distinction between research and advocacy, and limited ability to share their whole experience.

Conclusions

Participant-identified benefits of research mirrored those from other marginalized populations, though participant-identified risks were novel and nuanced. Recruitment and consent should move beyond normative research ethics committees protocol language to consider the perspectives of participants.

A comparative analysis of depressive-like behavior: Exploring sex-related differences and insights

by Ana Carolina Cavalcante Rodrigues, Caroline Vitória de Lima Moreira, Camila Carlos Prado, Luan Silvestro Bianchini Silva, Rafael Fernandes Costa, Adesina Paul Arikawe, Gustavo Rodrigues Pedrino, Elson Alves Costa, Osmar Nascimento Silva, Hamilton Barbosa Napolitano, Iranse Oliveira-Silva, James Oluwagbamigbe Fajemiroye

Profiling the variability related to the estrous cycle is essential for assessing depressive-like behavior and screening drugs. This study compares circulating plasma corticosterone levels [CORT] and behavioral alterations in mice exposed to sucrose preference, forced swimming, and tail suspension tests (SPT, FST, and TST, respectively). While SPT exposure did not significantly alter [CORT], FST and TST showed notable changes. Mice in the TST exhibited increased movement and decreased immobility time compared to FST, suggesting a lower likelihood of depressive-like behavior in male mice. Notably, during the proestrus phase, female mice displayed the highest tendency for depressive-like behavior and elevated [CORT], but similar response to antidepressants (imipramine and fluoxetine). The inherent stress of the FST and TST tasks appears to influence [CORT] as well as depressant and antidepressant effects. These comparisons provide valuable insights for further behavioral phenotyping, model sensitivity assessment, and deepen our neurobiological understanding of depression in the context of drug screening.

Cohort profile: evaluation of immune response and household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Costa Rica: the RESPIRA study

Por: Loria · V. · Aparicio · A. · Hildesheim · A. · Cortes · B. · Barrientos · G. · Retana · D. · Sun · K. · Ocampo · R. · Prevots · D. R. · Zuniga · M. · Waterboer · T. · Wong-McClure · R. · Morera · M. · Butt · J. · Binder · M. · Abdelnour · A. · Calderon · A. · Gail · M. H. · Pfeiffer · R. M.
Purpose

The RESPIRA cohort aims to describe the nature, magnitude, time course and efficacy of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination, population prevalence, and household transmission of COVID-19.

Participants

From November 2020, we selected age-stratified random samples of COVID-19 cases from Costa Rica confirmed by PCR. For each case, two population-based controls, matched on age, sex and census tract were recruited, supplemented with hospitalised cases and household contacts. Participants were interviewed and blood and saliva collected for antibodies and PCR tests. Participants will be followed for 2 years to assess antibody response and infection incidence.

Findings to date

Recruitment included 3860 individuals: 1150 COVID-19 cases, 1999 population controls and 719 household contacts from 304 index cases. The age and regional distribution of cases was as planned, including four age strata, 30% rural and 70% urban. The control cohort had similar sex, age and regional distribution as the cases according to the study design. Among the 1999 controls recruited, 6.8% reported at enrolment having had COVID-19 and an additional 12.5% had antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Compliance with visits and specimens has been close to 70% during the first 18 months of follow-up. During the study, national vaccination was implemented and nearly 90% of our cohort participants were vaccinated during follow-up.

Future plans

RESPIRA will enable multiple analyses, including population prevalence of infection, clinical, behavioural, immunological and genetic risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 acquisition and severity, and determinants of household transmission. We are conducting retrospective and prospective assessment of antibody levels, their determinants and their protective efficacy after infection and vaccination, the impact of long-COVID and a series of ancillary studies. Follow-up continues with bimonthly saliva collection for PCR testing and biannual blood collection for immune response analyses. Follow-up will be completed in early 2024.

Trial registration number

NCT04537338.

How did New Zealands regional District Health Board groupings work to improve service integration and health outcomes: a realist evaluation

Por: Penno · E. · Atmore · C. · Maclennan · B. · Richard · L. · Wyeth · E. · Richards · R. · Doolan-Noble · F. · Gray · A. R. · Sullivan · T. · Gauld · R. · Stokes · T.
Objectives

In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), integration across the healthcare continuum has been a key approach to strengthening the health system and improving health outcomes. A key example has been four regional District Health Board (DHB) groupings, which, from 2011 to 2022, required the country’s 20 DHBs to work together regionally. This research explores how this initiative functioned, examining how, for whom and in what circumstances regional DHB groupings worked to deliver improvements in system integration and health outcomes and equity.

Design

We used a realist-informed evaluation study design. We used documentary analysis to develop programme logic models to describe the context, structure, capabilities, implementation activities and impact of each of the four regional groupings and then conducted interviews with stakeholders. We developed a generalised context-mechanisms-outcomes model, identifying key commonalities explaining how regional work ‘worked’ across NZ while noting important regional differences.

Setting

NZ’s four regional DHB groupings.

Participants

Forty-nine stakeholders from across the four regional groupings. These included regional DHB governance groups and coordinating regional agencies, DHB senior leadership, Māori and Pasifika leadership and lead clinicians for regional work streams.

Results

Regional DHB working was layered on top of an already complex DHB environment. Organisational heterogeneity and tensions between local and regional priorities were key contextual factors. In response, regional DHB groupings leveraged a combination of ‘hard’ policy and planning processes, as well as ‘soft’, relationship-based mechanisms, aiming to improve system integration, population health outcomes and health equity.

Conclusion

The complexity of DHB regional working meant that success hinged on building relationships, leadership and trust, alongside robust planning and process mechanisms. As NZ reorients its health system towards a more centralised model underpinned by collaborations between local providers, our findings point to a need to align policy expectations and foster environments that support connection and collegiality across the health system.

A longitudinal investigation of structural empowerment profiles among healthcare employees

Abstract

Purpose

Research on structural empowerment has typically adopted a variable-centered perspective, which is not ideal to study the combined effects of structural empowerment components. This person-centered investigation aims to enhance our knowledge about the configurations, or profiles, of healthcare employees' perceptions of the structural empowerment dimensions present in their workplace (opportunity, information, support, and resources). Furthermore, this study considers the replicability and stability of these profiles over a period of 2 years, and their outcomes (perceived quality of care, and positive and negative affect).

Design

Participants completed the same self-reported questionnaires twice, 2 years apart.

Methods

A sample of 633 healthcare employees (including a majority of nurses and nursing assistants) participated. Latent transition analyses were performed.

Results

Five profiles were identified: Low Empowerment, High Information, Normative, Moderately High Empowerment, and High Empowerment. Membership into the Normative and Moderately High Empowerment profiles demonstrated a high level of stability over time (79.1% to 83.2%). Membership in the other profiles was either moderately stable (43.5% for the High Empowerment profile) or relatively unstable (19.7% to 20.4% for the Low Empowerment and High Information profiles) over time. More desirable outcomes (i.e., higher positive affect and quality of care, and lower negative affect) were observed in the High Empowerment profile.

Conclusions

These results highlight the benefits of high structural empowerment, in line with prior studies suggesting that structural empowerment can act as a strong organizational resource capable of enhancing the functioning of healthcare professionals. These findings additionally demonstrate that profiles characterized by the highest or lowest levels of structural empowerment were less stable over time than those characterized by more moderate levels.

Clinical Relevance

From an intervention perspective, organizations and managers should pay special attention to employees perceiving low levels of structural empowerment, as they experience the worst outcomes. In addition, they should try to maintain high levels of structural empowerment within the High Empowerment profile, as this profile is associated with the most desirable consequences. Such attention should be fruitful, considering the instability of the High Empowerment and Low Empowerment profiles over time.

Registration

NCT04010773 on ClinicalTrials.gov (4 July, 2019).

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