This national UK cohort study1 described 427 pregnant women admitted with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection,1 56% of whom were Black or ethnic minority patients. The study analysed risk factors such as advanced pregnancy and maternal age, obesity and cardiopulmonary comorbidities and their impact on the pregnancy and the newborn.1

The...

Bereavement is distressing; the effects of grief, including distress and associated insomnia, are known.1 Complex grief2 is characterised by its severity and duration, it can limit normal activity and function. Alcohol consumption and insomnia are both known to be potentially damaging to mental and physical well-being.3 Exploration of the associations between bereavement, alcohol consumption and...

In the USA, prevalence of delirium is 29%–64% among hospitalised elderly adults 65 years and older, and account for an estimated more than US$164 billion in annual healthcare expenditures.1 Delirium is frequently unrecognised and poorly understood with no clear evidence based pharmacological treatment. Delirium increases risk of falls, functional decline, dementia, prolonged length of stay and institutionalisation.2 Several non-pharmacological interventions have evolved...

In an increasingly internet world, use of DHT as an access and means of communication is becoming central to healthcare. Previous studies have demonstrated that DHT can improve health literacy, patient empowerment and engagement, and enable better self-management of care, especially for individuals with chronic conditions.1 DHT can be used as a...

For older people in the UK, death is often preceded by a protracted period of ill health.1 This study investigated patterns of LTC and EOLC provision in old age by examining the relationship between chronic health conditions, place of care and dying. Older adults who receive LTC in the period prior to death belonged to one of the five categories:...

As COVID-19 spreads worldwide, implementation and compliance with public health measures during the pandemic have been the foremost concern globally. The WHO highlighted that young adults had been the primary drivers of the spread of the novel coronavirus in many countries.1 This study by Nivette et al describes patterns of non-compliance with COVID-19 19-related public health measures...

Digital technology is increasingly used in healthcare for assessment, diagnosis, clinical decision-making, communications, care planning, and direct patient care.1 Nurses’ proficiency in the digital technology is critical in a dynamic healthcare environment.2 3 As a result, nurses are expected to adapt to new technology at an unprecedented pace.1 2 Brown et al’s integrative review illuminated factors that influence nurses’ ability to learn and use digital technology.3

Brown et al completed a...

In the USA, the 2017 Gallup poll results show 11 million Americans or 4.5% of population identify themselves as LGBTQ1 (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer). Significant health disparities like cancer screening are reported to be higher with LGBTQ when compared with heterosexual individuals. Lack of data collection regarding sexual orientation or gender identification (SOGI) by the National Cancer Databases or Centers for Disease Control augments the...

The WHO, the International Council of Nurses and Nursing Now, had planned to raise the global public profile of nursing in 2020 as a consequence of Florence Nightingales 200th anniversary. However, with the unexpected arrival of the coronavirus pandemic in late 2019, nurses and the nursing profession found themselves having unexpected media attention. The degree and type of media attention that nursing achieved during this time were never anticipated. This article considers the reality of nursing, both the role and profession in the UK in 2021 compared with the public perception and temporal media portrayal.

The media mediates public perception(s) through imagery and messaging. However, with reduced public understanding of healthcare services, inadequate understanding of healthcare professional roles and responsibilities, and reduced health literacy in the general population,1 there is ample opportunity for misinformation and psychological bias (such as confirmation...

Growing life expectancy, increasing number of elderly individuals with chronic disease, becoming at risk of antimicrobial drug resistance and hospital infection, increasing length and costs of hospitalisation are most important reasons for establishing home healthcare centres all over the world.1–3 The majority of posthospital discharge patients require home care. These patients are at...

Hope is a multidimensional and dynamic mental process; it consists of the relationship between motivational energy and strategies, visions, plans to achieve long-term goals. All of these components are necessary for the normal functioning of hope. One of the factors that should be considered in assisting patients who are undergoing cancer treatment involves emotional and spiritual aspects, among which hope stands...

Sepsis in older adults aged ≥65 years is detrimental and is a very important contributor to mortality and morbidity, including deconditioning and debility leading to significant health burden.1 Prevalence of malnutrition among older adults ranges from 29% to 61% and a significant determinant of health outcomes in this population.2 The complex inter-relatability of malnutrition and...

Aspirin is widely offered to pregnant women at risk of developing pre-eclampsia, secondary to its anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet properties.1 There has been a trend towards increasing the use of aspirin universally to pregnant women, secondary to perceived safety of...

Historically, long-term risk management of CVD is composed of healthy dietary recommendations.1 2 A plethora of information about foods and nutrients occupy media and health research spaces,3 yet consumers often possess a suboptimal understanding of healthy dietary patterns.4 Information about isolated nutrients and foods is insufficient to manage CVD risks; instead, elevated public awareness of various...

Adherence to cardioprotective treatment and lifestyle modification are crucial to reduce future cardiovascular complications, rehospitalisation and death; as well as to improve patient quality of life.1 Numerous studies have reviewed medication adherence, while research on factors that influence medication adherence and treatment plans is scarce. This systematic review collates evidence on factors which influence cardiovascular patient adherence...

eHealth can be used to support daily functioning and independence for people with intellectual disabilities.1 Yet there is a distinct lack of evidence to support how we can use services most effectively. This is most important in today’s post COVID-19 environment, as healthcare increasingly needs to embrace technology to support our most vulnerable citizens, as we reduce onsite care provision. This...

There is a growing body of evidence from studies conducted worldwide linking nursing education curriculum fostering growth of trustworthiness in students to building resilience that prepares them for academic success, self care and care of others. These programmes are crucial for nurses to face the worldwide continuing demand of changing ways healthcare is delivered, more informed patients and on a daily basis maintaining excellent professional standards. However in a 2020 report, 20% simple random sampling (n=155)...

The recruitment of INM trained outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) has continued to grow in the UK, in an attempt the meet staff shortages.1 However, international recruitment processes are expensive and time-consuming for both applicants and recruiting agencies.1 This study by Bond et al examined the preparedness and support available to INMs to undertake the objective...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5 million adults were diagnosed with dementia in 2014; projected to rise to approximately 14 million by 2060.1 This is a significant health problem, as dementia prevalence is increasing. Therefore, practitioners need to understand how it can be prevented and treated effectively. To date, no available medication exists to prevent or delay the onset of dementia. It has been reported that the pathogenesis of dementia was associated with inflammation;...