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Perfil de la producción del conocimiento sobre violencia en una Institución Federal de Enseñanza de Brasil

Objetivo principal: mapear la producción del conocimiento acerca de la temática violencia contra niños y adolescentes de una Institución Federal de Educación Superior (IFES) del Sur do Brasil. Metodología: Se trata de una investigación documental, a través de mapeo de la producción discente y docente de los cursos de graduación del área de la salud, educación, derecho, entre 1990 y 2016 en diferentes bases disponibles de la Universidad. Resultados: se constituyeron la muestra de la investigación, 86 producciones académicas, siendo 47 trabajos de conclusión de curso, 10 pro-yectos de investigación y 29 artículos científicos sobre violencia. Las producciones presentaron un crecimiento a partir de 2006, con un aumento considerable en 2012 y la Enfermería fue responsable del 46,5% de toda la producción académica y la atención a niños y adolescentes víctimas de violencia fue el tema con el mayor número de producción. Conclusión: la importancia de abordar el tema en los currículos a fin de que todas las áreas del conocimiento puedan ejercer su coparticipación en la garantía de derechos de niños y adolescentes que son acometidas por la violencia.

Cumplimentación de los cinco momentos de la higiene de manos en personal sanitario de un Hospital General Universitario de la Región de Murcia

Objetivo principal: El presente artículo tiene como objetivo determinar el grado de cumplimiento de los cinco momentos para la higiene de manos de la OMS del personal sanitario de diferentes servicios/unidades de un Hospital General Universitario de la Región de Murcia. Metodología: Estudio observacional descriptivo transversal. De forma aleatoria y durante un periodo continuado se procedió a registrar el grado de cumplimentación de los cinco momentos de la higiene de manos. Se recogieron variables asociadas al momento de realización de la higiene de manos: profesional que la realiza, área/servicio asistencial, uso de guantes y consumo de solución hidroalcohólica. Resultados principales: Participaron 137 profesionales (41 de medicina, 66 de Enfermería y 30 auxiliares de Enfermería). El cumplimiento global de las indicaciones de los cinco momentos ha sido del 42,02%. Este resultado varía en función de las variables uso de guantes, profesional que realiza la higiene de manos y área o servicio donde la realiza. Los profesionales de Enfermería son los que alcanzan un mayor porcentaje de cumplimiento. Conclusión principal: El grado de cumplimien-to de los cinco momentos para la higiene de manos de la OMS en el Hospital General Universitario estudiado está muy por debajo del valor ideal. Es necesario implementar medidas de intervención educativa que mejoren el cumplimiento de la técnica para aumentar la calidad asistencial y la seguridad del paciente.

En la calle por ellas y por ellos: relato de experiencia en zonas de prostitución de un municipio del sur de Brasil

Objetivo principal: relatar a experiência das práticas de educação em saúde, por um grupo de profissionais, integrantes da Atenção Primária em Saúde, em zonas de prostituição de Rio Grande/RS. Metodologia: Trata-se de um relato de experiência, realizado em 2016, por um grupo de profissionais (Enfermeira, Assistente Social, Educador Social e motorista), vinculados a secretaria de saúde de um município do extremo sul do Brasil. Em uma unidade móvel de saúde, o grupo percorreu as zonas de prostituição (postos de gasolina, ruas e boates). De abril a agosto de 2016, os profissionais de saúde desenvolveram ações de conscientização sobre a importância dos riscos inerentes a profissão, sobre o cuidado de si, através da oferta de testes rápidos, distribuição de preservativos masculinos e femininos e lubrificantes íntimos. Resultados: Vinte zonas de prostituição foram encontradas pela equipe, concentrados em ruas, boates e postos de combustíveis espalhados pela cidade. Cerca de 200 profis-sionais do sexo, foram atendidas pelo grupo, sendo ofertados mensalmente 40 exames de testes rápidos e 40 carteiras sociais. Quanto a pre-venção as ISTs, foram distribuídos 1500 preservativos masculinos, 200 preservativos femininos e 500 lubrificantes íntimos. Conclusão: A equipe, de forma itinerante, atuou de forma exitosa na busca, não somente de orientá-las quanto aos riscos inerentes a profissão, mas também de conhecer um pouco da sua história, do resgate a cidadania e da autoestima, a uma população que tem seus direitos frequentemente violados. Percebe-se nessa vivência a importância da educação em saúde como um instrumento de promoção e prevenção, na busca pela valorização dessas pessoas.

Satisfaction of Slovak Women with Psychosocial Aspects of Care during Childbirth

The objective of the study is to find out and assess satisfaction of Slovak women with psychosocial aspects of perinatal care.

Business Intelligence como herramienta de apoyo en la identificación de casos de suicidio en RS – Brasil

Introducción: Actualmente, el uso de tecnologías innovadoras ha ayudado a los profesionales a gestionar mejor el volumen de información de manera inteligente, para facilitar y optimizar el uso de acciones y prácticas preventivas. Entendido como un recurso capaz de expandir o acceder a datos, nuestro objetivo es analizar el tema del suicidio en Rio Grande do Sul, en el período de 2010 a 2019, desde el portal municipal de Business Intelligence. Método: Una investigación es de naturaleza cuantitativa, de tipo descriptivo, basada en los registros de muertes por suicidio en el estado de Rio Grande do Sul, escuchada por el portal público de inteligencia empresarial (BI). Los datos fueron analizados, basados en el número bruto de muertes por suicidio en la macro-región del Sur, registrada en el Portal BI / DGTI. Se realizó una descripción del número de muertes según el año, el sexo, el grupo de edad y la tasa de suicidios. Resultados: un total de 11,774 muertes por suicidio, registradas en los últimos 10 años, o el número más alto que ocurrió en los años 2017 y 2019, entre los hombres, con tasas más altas en los grupos de edad entre 20 y 69 años. Una tasa más alta registrada fue en 2019, con 12.41 muertes por cada 100,000 habitantes. Concluimos con este estudio sobre el uso de Bussiness Intelligence, que permite acciones más efectivas en la prevención del suicidio.

Association between the nurse work environment and patient experience in Chilean hospitals: A multi‐hospital cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Introduction

International evidence shows that nurses' work environments affect patient outcomes, including their care experiences. In Chile, several factors negatively affect the work environment, but they have not been addressed in prior research. The aim of this study was to measure the quality of the nurse work environment in Chilean hospitals and its association with patient experience.

Design

A cross-sectional study of 40 adult general high-complexity hospitals across Chile.

Methods

Participants included bedside nurses (n = 1632) and patients (n = 2017) in medical or surgical wards, who responded to a survey. The work environment was measured through the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index. Hospitals were categorized as having a good or poor work environment. A set of patient experience outcomes were measured through the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to test associations between the environment and patient experiences.

Results

For all outcomes, the percentage of patients satisfied was higher in hospitals with good as compared to poor work environments. In good environment hospitals patients had significantly higher odds of being satisfied with communication with nurses (OR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.10–1.94, p = 0.010), with pain control (OR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.14–2.02, p = 0.004), and with nurses' timely responses in helping them to go to the bathroom (OR 2.17, 95% CI: 1.49–3.16, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Hospitals with good environments outperform hospitals with poor environments in most patient care experience indicators. Efforts to improve nurses' work environment hold promise for improving patient experiences in Chilean hospitals.

Clinical Relevance

Hospital administrators and nurse managers should value, especially in the context of financial constraints and understaffing, the implementation of strategies to improve the quality of nurses´ work environments so that they can provide patients with a better care experience.

Eficacia de un instrumento interdisciplinario para la reducción de la infección relacionada con la asistencia

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de un instrumento interdisciplinario, desarrollado y aplicado en una unidad de cuidados intensivos de adultos para reducir las infecciones asociadas a la atención de la salud. Metodología: Estudio transversal, cuantitativo, realizado de enero de 2018 y junio de 2019, en una UCI de un Hospital de Paraná-Brasil. Resultados: Se evaluaron 759 pacientes. Antes de la aplicación del instrumento, las medias eran respectivamente: 1,00 para IRAS CVC; 6.78 ID IPCS; 3,22 VAP; 21,62 DIPAV y 0,88 para IRAS CVD, después con la aplicación del Fast Checklist:  0,11 para IRAS CVC (p = 0,11); 0,86 ID IPCS (p = 0,017); 0,33 VAP (p = 0,001); 2,83 DIPAV (p = 0,003) y 0,00 para IRAS ECV (p = 0,0002). Conclusión principal: El estudio demostró que la implementación y aplicación diaria de la Lista de Verificación Rápida fue efectiva para la reducción de las IRAS en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos.

Time for You: A process evaluation of the rapid implementation of a multi-level mental health support intervention for frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

by Bryan McCann, Simon C. Hunter, Kareena McAloney-Kocaman, Paul McCarthy, Jan Smith, Eileen Calveley

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had wide-ranging negative impacts on mental health. The pandemic also placed extraordinary strain on frontline workers who were required to continue working and putting themselves at risk to provide essential services at a time when their normal support mechanisms may not have been available. This paper presents an evaluation of the Time for You service, a rapidly developed and implemented intervention aimed at providing frontline workers with quick access to flexible online mental health support. Time for You provided service users with three service options: self-guided online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) resources; guided engagement with online CBT resources; 1–1 psychological therapy with trainee sport and exercise psychologists and trainee health psychologists. A process evaluation informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research considered service fidelity, adaptations, perceived impact, reach, barriers, and facilitators. Interviews with project managers (n = 5), delivery staff (n = 10), and service users (n = 14) explored perceptions of the service implementation and outcomes, supported by data regarding engagement with the online CBT platform (n = 217). Findings indicated that service users valued the flexibility of the service and the speed with which they were able to access support. The support offered by Trainee Psychologists was perceived to be of high quality, and the service was perceived by service users to have improved mental health and wellbeing. The rapid implementation contributed to issues regarding appropriate service user screening that led to trainee psychologists being unable to provide the service users with the support they needed as the presenting issues were outside of trainees’ competencies. Overall, the findings suggest that interventions offering flexible, online psychological support to frontline workers can be an effective model for future interventions. Trainee psychologists are also able to play an important role in delivering such services when clear screening processes are in place.

Grieving multiple losses: Experiences of intimacy and sexuality of people living with inflammatory bowel disease. A phenomenological study

Abstract

Aim

To explore patient experiences of intimacy and sexuality in those living with inflammatory bowel disease.

Design

An interpretative phenomenological study guided by van Manen's framework. Thematic analysis was conducted through interpretation and reflection on four existential domains: body, relationships, time and space.

Methods

Data were collected during 2019–2021 from 43 participants via face-to-face or telephone interviews, as well as anonymous collection of narratives submitted via Google Forms.

Results

Four themes were identified: Sexuality as lived incompleteness was the overarching theme representing the essence of the experiences of intimacy and sexuality. This theme covered the four main themes: Otherness of the body, Interrupted connectedness, Missing out on life fullness and Fragmented openness and each corresponded to an existential domain. Intimacy and sexuality are negatively affected by inflammatory bowel disease, with impact on quality of life. Patients experienced grieving multiple losses, from body image and control, to choice of partners and future opportunities. The four domains were difficult to separate and a close inter-relationship between each domain was acknowledged.

Conclusions

A model was developed to draw new theoretical insights to understanding the relationship between sexual well-being and psycho-emotional distress similar to grief.

Impact

First qualitative study to explore intimacy and sexuality experiences of those living with inflammatory bowel disease. Illness impact on sexuality has negative psycho-emotional implications as a result of losing the old self and capacity to have the desired relationships/sex life. A theoretical model was developed in an attempt to illustrate the close relationship of intimacy, sexuality and psycho-emotional well-being.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients were involved in the study design.

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.

Care call requests and inpatient beds modernization: Is there any link? A prospective observational study in the oncological setting

Abstract

Aim

The study aims to analyse the principal causes of patients' care calls and compare differences before and after inpatient beds' technological modernization in a surgical breast oncological ward.

Design

A prospective observational study was conducted under the STROBE guidelines. Data were collected from June to September 2022.

Methods

Statistical analyses were performed to compare each reason for care calls, by shifts and pre and post-inpatient bed modernization.

Results

Two thousand five hundred and fifty-nine care request calls were analysed during the 202 observed shifts. The most frequent reason was related to the requests for positions.

Conclusion

Technological modernization of the beds has not led to effective—positive—changes; on the contrary, it seems at first glance to show an upward trend in calls above all in the short period after the changes.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care

What problem did the study address? By analysing the principal causes of care calls and comparing the differences before and after inpatient beds' technological modernization, this study evaluates if inpatient gear or device modernization can impact care call requests. What were the main findings? The results show that the most frequent reasons for care calls were position, possession and other. These findings seem not superimposable; the hypothesis supported by the international literature in which the causes relating to potty and pain were found among the main reasons. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? These results could impact the care organizational area in nursing care and could improve care quality, patient satisfaction and safety.

Reporting Method

This prospective observational study was conducted following STROBE guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

After adequate information (presentation, design methods and objectives), all unit healthcare staff agreed to collaborate in the study.

Impact of deintensifying hypoglycaemic drugs in older adults with type 2 diabetes: protocol for an emulation of a target trial

Por: Christiaens · A. · Simon-Tillaux · N. · Thompson · W. · Sinclair · A. J. · Henrard · S. · Boland · B. B. · Slaouti-Jegou · Y. · Lekens · B. · Bonnet-Zamponi · D. · Tubach · F. · Zerah · L.
Introduction

In older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), overtreatment with hypoglycaemic drugs (HDs: sulfonylureas, glinides and/or insulins) is frequent and associated with increased 1-year mortality. Deintensification of HD is thus a key issue, for which evidence is though limited. The primary objective of this study will be to estimate the effect of deintensifying HD on clinical outcomes (hospital admission or death) within 3 months in older adults (≥75 years) with T2D.

Methods

We will emulate with real-world data a target trial, within The Health Improvement Network cohort, a large-scale database of data collected from electronic medical records of 2000 general practitioners in France. From 1 January 2010 to 28 February 2019, we will include eligible patients ≥75 years who will have T2D, a stable dose of HDs, glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) value 75 mmol/mol within 1 year. Participants will be followed from baseline to 12 months after randomisation, administrative censoring, or death, whichever occurs first. A pooled logistic regression will be used to estimate the treatment effect on the incidence of the outcomes.

Dissemination and ethics

No ethical approval is needed for using retrospectively this fully anonymised database. The results will be disseminated during conferences and through publications in scientific journals.

Low‐value home‐based nursing care: A national survey study

Abstract

Aims

To explore potential areas of low-value home-based nursing care practices, their prevalence and related influencing factors of nurses and nursing assistants working in home-based nursing care.

Design

A quantitative, cross-sectional design.

Methods

An online survey with questions containing scaled frequencies on five-point Likert scales and open questions on possible related influencing factors of low-value nursing care. The data collection took place from February to April 2022. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used to summarize and analyse the results.

Results

A nationwide sample of 776 certified nursing assistants, registered nurses and nurse practitioners responded to the survey. The top five most delivered low-value care practices reported were: (1) ‘washing the client with water and soap by default’, (2) ‘application of zinc cream, powders or pastes when treating intertrigo’, (3) ‘washing the client from head to toe daily’, (4) ‘re-use of a urinary catheter bag after removal/disconnection’ and (5) ‘bladder irrigation to prevent clogging of urinary tract catheter’. The top five related influencing factors reported were: (1) ‘a (general) practitioner advices/prescribes it’, (2) ‘written in the client's care plan’, (3) ‘client asks for it’, (4) ‘wanting to offer the client something’ and (5) ‘it is always done like this in the team’. Higher educational levels and an age above 40 years were associated with a lower provision of low-value care.

Conclusion

According to registered nurses and certified nursing assistants, a number of low-value nursing practices occurred frequently in home-based nursing care and they experienced multiple factors that influence the provision of low-value care such as (lack of) clinical autonomy and handling clients' requests, preferences and demands. The results can be used to serve as a starting point for a multifaceted de-implementation strategy.

Reporting Method

STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Nursing care is increasingly shifting towards the home environment. Not all nursing care that is provided is effective or efficient and this type of care can therefore be considered of low-value. Reducing low-value care and increasing appropriate care will free up time, improve quality of care, work satisfaction, patient safety and contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system.

Two distinct mechanisms lead to either oocyte or spermatocyte decrease in <i>C</i>. <i>elegans</i> after whole developmental exposure to γ-rays

by Elizabeth Dufourcq Sekatcheff, Christian Godon, Aymeric Bailly, Loïc Quevarec, Virginie Camilleri, Simon Galas, Sandrine Frelon

Wildlife is subject to various sources of pollution, including ionizing radiation. Adverse effects can impact the survival, growth, or reproduction of organisms, later affecting population dynamics. In invertebrates, reproduction, which directly impacts population dynamics, has been found to be the most radiosensitive endpoint. Understanding the underlying molecular pathways inducing this reproduction decrease can help to comprehend species-specific differences in radiosensitivity. From our previous studies, we found that decrease in reproduction is life stage dependent in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, possibly resulting from an accumulation of damages during germ cell development and gamete differentiation. To go further, we used the same experimental design to assess more precisely the molecular determinants of reproductive toxicity, primarily decreases in gamete number. As before, worms were chronically exposed to 50 mGy·h−1 external gamma ionizing radiation throughout different developmental periods (namely embryogenesis, gametogenesis, and full development). To enable cross species extrapolation, conserved molecular pathways across invertebrates and vertebrates were analysed: apoptosis and MAP kinase Ras/ERK (MPK-1), both involved in reproduction and stress responses. Our results showed that these pathways are life-stage dependent, resulting from an accumulation of damages upon chronic exposure to IR throughout the life development. The Ras/ERK pathway was activated in our conditions in the pachytene region of the gonad where it regulates cell fate including apoptosis, but not in the ovulation zone, where it controls oocyte maturation and ovulation. Additionally, assessment of germ cell proliferation via Ras/ERK pathway showed no effect. Finally, a functional analysis of apoptosis revealed that while the decrease of the ovulation rate is caused by DNA-damaged induced apoptosis, this process does not occur in spermatocytes. Thus, sperm decrease seems to be mediated via another mechanism, probably a decrease in germ cell proliferation speed that needs further investigation to better characterize sex-specific responses to IR exposure. These results are of main importance to describe radio-induced reprotoxic effects and contribute as weight of evidence for the AOP #396 “Deposition of ionizing energy leads to population decline via impaired meiosis”.

Prediction models of incontinence and sexual function one year after radical prostatectomy based on data from 20 164 prostate cancer patients

by Nora Tabea Sibert, Tobias Kurth, Clara Breidenbach, Simone Wesselmann, Günther Feick, Ernst-Günter Carl, Sebastian Dieng, Mohamad Hatem Albarghouth, Atiqullah Aziz, Stefan Baltes, Elisabeth Bartolf, Jens Bedke, Andreas Blana, Marko Brock, Stefan Conrad, Christopher Darr, Florian Distler, Konstantinos Drosos, Gregor Duwe, Amr Gaber, Markus Giessing, Nina Natascha Harke, Axel Heidenreich, Sameh Hijazi, Andreas Hinkel, Björn Theodor Kaftan, Shatlyk Kheiderov, Thomas Knoll, Gerd Lümmen, Inga Peters, Bülent Polat, Valentin Schrodi, Jens-Uwe Stolzenburg, Zoltan Varga, Julius von Süßkind-Schwendi, Vahudin Zugor, Christoph Kowalski

Background

Incontinence and sexual dysfunction are long-lasting side effects after surgical treatment (radical prostatectomy, RP) of prostate cancer (PC). For an informed treatment decision, physicians and patients should discuss expected impairments. Therefore, this paper firstly aims to develop and validate prognostic models that predict incontinence and sexual function of PC patients one year after RP and secondly to provide an online decision making tool.

Methods

Observational cohorts of PC patients treated between July 2016 and March 2021 in Germany were used. Models to predict functional outcomes one year after RP measured by the EPIC-26 questionnaire were developed using lasso regression, 80–20 splitting of the data set and 10-fold cross validation. To assess performance, R2, RMSE, analysis of residuals and calibration-in-the-large were applied. Final models were externally temporally validated. Additionally, percentages of functional impairment (pad use for incontinence and firmness of erection for sexual score) per score decile were calculated to be used together with the prediction models.

Results

For model development and internal as well as external validation, samples of 11 355 and 8 809 patients were analysed. Results from the internal validation (incontinence: R2 = 0.12, RMSE = 25.40, sexual function: R2 = 0.23, RMSE = 21.44) were comparable with those of the external validation. Residual analysis and calibration-in-the-large showed good results. The prediction tool is freely accessible: https://nora-tabea.shinyapps.io/EPIC-26-Prediction/.

Conclusion

The final models showed appropriate predictive properties and can be used together with the calculated risks for specific functional impairments. Main strengths are the large study sample (> 20 000) and the inclusion of an external validation. The models incorporate meaningful and clinically available predictors ensuring an easy implementation. All predictions are displayed together with risks of frequent impairments such as pad use or erectile dysfunction such that the developed online tool provides a detailed and informative overview for clinicians as well as patients.

Women Veterans’ perspectives, experiences, and preferences for firearm lethal means counseling discussions

by Evan R. Polzer, Ryan Holliday, Carly M. Rohs, Suzanne M. Thomas, Christin N. Miller, Joseph A. Simonetti, Lisa A. Brenner, Lindsey L. Monteith

Aims

Firearms have become an increasingly common method of suicide among women Veterans, yet this population has rarely been a focus in firearm suicide prevention research. Limited knowledge is available regarding the preferences, experiences, or needs of women Veterans with respect to firearm lethal means counseling (LMC), an evidence-based suicide prevention strategy. Understanding is necessary to optimize delivery for this population.

Method

Our sample included forty women Veterans with lifetime suicidal ideation or suicide attempt(s) and firearm access following military separation, all enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration. Participants were interviewed regarding their perspectives, experiences, and preferences for firearm LMC. Data were analyzed using a mixed inductive-deductive thematic analysis.

Results

Women Veterans’ firearm and firearm LMC perspectives were shaped by their military service histories and identity, military sexual trauma, spouses/partners, children, rurality, and experiences with suicidal ideation and attempts. Half reported they had not engaged in firearm LMC previously. For those who had, positive aspects included a trusting, caring relationship, direct communication of rationale for questions, and discussion of exceptions to confidentiality. Negative aspects included conversations that felt impersonal, not sufficiently comprehensive, and Veterans’ fears regarding implications of disclosure, which impeded conversations. Women Veterans’ preferences for future firearm LMC encompassed providers communicating why such conversations are important, how they should be framed (e.g., around safety and genuine concern), what they should entail (e.g., discussing concerns regarding disclosure), whom should initiate (e.g., trusted caring provider) and where they should occur (e.g., safe spaces, women-specific groups comprised of peers).

Discussion

This study is the first to examine women Veterans’ experiences with, and preferences for, firearm LMC. Detailed inquiry of the nuances of how, where, why, and by whom firearms are stored and used may help to facilitate firearm LMC with women Veterans.

ARCHERY: a prospective observational study of artificial intelligence-based radiotherapy treatment planning for cervical, head and neck and prostate cancer - study protocol

Por: Aggarwal · A. · Court · L. E. · Hoskin · P. · Jacques · I. · Kroiss · M. · Laskar · S. · Lievens · Y. · Mallick · I. · Abdul Malik · R. · Miles · E. · Mohamad · I. · Murphy · C. · Nankivell · M. · Parkes · J. · Parmar · M. · Roach · C. · Simonds · H. · Torode · J. · Vanderstraeten · B. · Lan
Introduction

Fifty per cent of patients with cancer require radiotherapy during their disease course, however, only 10%–40% of patients in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) have access to it. A shortfall in specialised workforce has been identified as the most significant barrier to expanding radiotherapy capacity. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based software has been developed to automate both the delineation of anatomical target structures and the definition of the position, size and shape of the radiation beams. Proposed advantages include improved treatment accuracy, as well as a reduction in the time (from weeks to minutes) and human resources needed to deliver radiotherapy.

Methods

ARCHERY is a non-randomised prospective study to evaluate the quality and economic impact of AI-based automated radiotherapy treatment planning for cervical, head and neck, and prostate cancers, which are endemic in LMICs, and for which radiotherapy is the primary curative treatment modality. The sample size of 990 patients (330 for each cancer type) has been calculated based on an estimated 95% treatment plan acceptability rate. Time and cost savings will be analysed as secondary outcome measures using the time-driven activity-based costing model. The 48-month study will take place in six public sector cancer hospitals in India (n=2), Jordan (n=1), Malaysia (n=1) and South Africa (n=2) to support implementation of the software in LMICs.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has received ethical approval from University College London (UCL) and each of the six study sites. If the study objectives are met, the AI-based software will be offered as a not-for-profit web service to public sector state hospitals in LMICs to support expansion of high quality radiotherapy capacity, improving access to and affordability of this key modality of cancer cure and control. Public and policy engagement plans will involve patients as key partners.

Roles, mutual expectations and needs for improvement in the care of residents with (a risk of) dehydration: A qualitative study

Abstract

Aim

Examining the perspectives of formal and informal caregivers and residents on roles, mutual expectations and needs for improvement in the care for residents with (a risk of) dehydration.

Design

Qualitative study.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with 16 care professionals, three residents and three informal caregivers were conducted between October and November 2021. A thematic analysis was performed on the interviews.

Results

Three topic summaries contributed to a comprehensive view on the care for residents with (a risk of) dehydration: role content, mutual expectations and needs for improvement. Many overlapping activities were found among care professionals, informal caregivers and allied care staff. While nursing staff and informal caregivers are essential in observing changes in the health status of residents, and medical staff in diagnosing and treating dehydration, the role of residents remains limited. Conflicting expectations emerged regarding, for example, the level of involvement of the resident and communication. Barriers to multidisciplinary collaboration were highlighted, including little structural involvement of allied care staff, limited insight into each other's expertise and poor communication between formal and informal caregivers. Seven areas for improvement emerged: awareness, resident profile, knowledge and expertise, treatment, monitoring and tools, working conditions and multidisciplinary working.

Conclusion

In general, many formal and informal caregivers are involved in the care of residents with (a risk of) dehydration. They depend on each other's observations, information and expertise which requires an interprofessional approach with specific attention to adequate prevention. For this, educational interventions focused on hydration care should be a core element in professional development programs of nursing homes and vocational training of future care professionals.

Impact

The care for residents with (a risk of) dehydration has multiple points for improvement. To be able to adequately address dehydration, it is essential for formal and informal caregivers and residents to address these barriers in clinical practice.

Reporting Method

In writing this manuscript, the EQUATOR guidelines (reporting method SRQR) have been adhered to.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Mapping Oral health and Local Area Resources (MOLAR): protocol for a randomised controlled trial connecting emergency department patients with social and dental resources

Por: Simon · L. · Marsh · R. · Sanchez · L. D. · Camargo · C. · Donoff · B. · Cardenas · V. · Manning · W. · Loo · S. · Cash · R. E. · Samuels-Kalow · M. E.
Introduction

There are substantial inequities in oral health access and outcomes in the USA, including by income and racial and ethnic identity. People with adverse social determinants of health (aSDoH), such as housing or food insecurity, are also more likely to have unmet dental needs. Many patients with dental problems present to the emergency department (ED), where minimal dental care or referral is usually available. Nonetheless, the ED represents an important point of contact to facilitate screening and referral for unmet oral health needs and aSDoH, particularly for patients who may not otherwise have access to care.

Methods and analysis

Mapping Oral health and Local Area Resources is a randomised controlled trial enrolling 2049 adult and paediatric ED patients with unmet oral health needs into one of three trial arms: (a) a standard handout of nearby dental and aSDoH resources; (b) a geographically matched listing of aSDoH resources and a search link for identification of geographically matched dental resources; or (c) geographically matched resources along with personalised care navigation. Follow-up at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months will evaluate oral health-related quality of life, linkage to resources and dental treatment, ED visits for dental problems and the association between linkage and neighbourhood resource density.

Ethics and dissemination

All sites share a single human subjects review board protocol which has been fully approved by the Mass General Brigham Human Subjects Review Board. Informed consent will be obtained from all adults and adult caregivers, and assent will be obtained from age-appropriate child participants. Results will demonstrate the impact of addressing aSDoH on oral health access and the efficacy of various forms of resource navigation compared with enhanced standard care. Our findings will facilitate sustainable, scalable interventions to identify and address aSDoH in the ED to improve oral health and reduce oral health inequities.

Trial registration number

NCT05688982.

Family-focused intervention to promote adolescent mental health and well-being in Moldova and North Macedonia (FLOURISH): feasibility study protocol

Por: Shenderovich · Y. · Piolanti · A. · Babii · V. · Calovska-Hertzog · N. · Evans · R. E. · Heinrichs · N. · Burgund Isakov · A. · Lesco · G. · Moore · G. · Mueller · J. · Raleva · M. · Shimbov · B. · Simon · J. · Waller · F. · Wienand · D. · Foran · H. M.
Introduction

Family-Focused Adolescent & Lifelong Health Promotion (FLOURISH) project will adapt, implement and evaluate a programme to support adolescent mental health and well-being through strategies, such as strengthening parenting practices, adolescent-caregiver relationships, adolescent and parent socioemotional skills, and social support.

Methods and analysis

The project will focus on adolescents aged 10–14 years and their caregivers in North Macedonia and Moldova. The countries were selected based on implementation readiness of two organisations and a need for accessible evidence-informed services to help mitigate health risks due to economic, social and political challenges. Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) for Parents and Teens is a family-based programme developed for low-resource settings. PLH has been adapted with input from advisory groups. The programme includes additional components to strengthen impacts on adolescents: adolescent mental health tools, based on UNICEF’s Helping Adolescents Thrive, adolescent peer support and participation booster. This pilot is first of three study phases. The pilot will be a feasibility testing of the adapted intervention and the assessment and implementation procedures to determine further refinements. The pilot will examine if the adapted programme is acceptable for adolescents, their families and providers, explore contextual factors relevant to embedding this programme into longer-term scale-up and investigate whether the programme can be delivered with fidelity and participation; whether the participants report changes in adolescent emotional and behavioural problems, well-being and other outcomes; and whether the study tools are feasible and appropriate. Pre-post adolescent and caregiver questionnaires will provide outcome data. Process evaluation will include attendance and fidelity data, and focus groups. We will examine delivery cost and resource requirements.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved at the University of Klagenfurt (Austria), Medical Faculty at St. Cyril and Methodius University (North Macedonia) and National Committee of Ethical Expertise for Clinical Trials (Moldova). Through stakeholder engagement and dissemination, FLOURISH will advance scale-up of open-source family interventions.

Trial registration number

Trial registration: ID101095528; project page: https://www.flourish-study.org/about.html; https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-study/

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