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To identify a correlation between unmet needs and HL levels in people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) and to evaluate how sociodemographic characteristics influence HL levels and unmet needs.
A cross-sectional study.
The study was conducted using a questionnaire including the HLS19-Q12 to assess HL and the Long-term Unmet Needs in Multiple Sclerosis tool, which evaluates five domains (neuropsychological, ambulation, physical, interpersonal relationship, and informational) and identifies whether needs are met or unmet and the desire for support.
Among the 116 participants included in the study, the overall HL level was sufficient. Mean scores across unmet needs domains were comparable. A significant difference in HL emerged in the informational domain, where participants reporting informational needs and a desire for support showed higher mean ranks. Although not significant, participants who acknowledged a need and expressed a desire for help showed higher mean ranks in HLS19-Q12 scores across several domains. No significant correlations were found between HL and unmet needs domains.
HL levels may enhance patients' ability to recognize and express needs without necessarily ensuring that these needs are met.
Routine assessment of both HL and unmet needs may help healthcare professionals identify patients who recognize problems but lack the structural support to address them.
The impact of HL on need recognition and communication, together with the complexity and interconnectedness of unmet needs, highlights the need for healthcare systems to implement organizational, systemic, and multidimensional interventions aimed at promoting HL and effectively addressing patients' needs. Such strategies may support better disease management and improve quality of life in pwMS.
This study was reported according to STROBE checklist.
None.
To examine the role of self-efficacy in the relationship between medication adherence and self-care behaviours in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease by describing their levels and exploring the interconnections among these variables.
Multicenter, cross-sectional.
A total of 452 patients were recruited through consecutive non-probabilistic sampling across nine Italian outpatient Inflammatory Bowel Disease Units. Data were collected using validated tools: the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8, the Self-Care Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and mediation analyses were performed to explore associations and the mediating role of self-efficacy between medication adherence and self-care behaviours.
Participants had a mean age of 43.49 years; 50.9% were male, 49.2% had Crohn's disease, and 50.8% had ulcerative colitis. Only 10.2% reported high medication adherence, while most showed medium or low adherence. The mean self-efficacy score was 74.82. Medication adherence was positively associated with self-care maintenance, and self-efficacy statistically accounted for part of this association. Lower levels were observed in self-care monitoring and management behaviours.
Medication adherence was positively associated with self-care maintenance, and self-efficacy partially explained this relationship.
Routine assessment of medication adherence and self-efficacy may help identify patients at risk of poor self-care. Interventions aimed at strengthening self-efficacy, such as motivational interviewing, nurse-led counselling, and digital monitoring tools, may improve adherence and self-care maintenance.
The study addressed low medication adherence and suboptimal self-care in patients with IBD. Findings support integrating self-efficacy-enhancing strategies into multidisciplinary care to improve adherence and self-care behaviours.
Patients completed validated self-report questionnaires; however, they were not involved in the study design, conduct, analysis, or manuscript preparation.
Despite the intention of international psoriasis treatment guidelines to cover all patients globally, disparities persist in the availability and accessibility of adequate therapy in many countries. The Global Healthcare Study on Psoriasis (GHSP) aims to study patient characteristics, disease impact, treatment accessibility and healthcare systems worldwide. This study provides a description and data analysis of 22 countries.
The GHSP cohort was initiated in 2020, and the number of recruiting centres has gradually grown. Participants are recruited by dermatologists at reference centres worldwide. Data are collected using a standardised assessment questionnaire comprising 88 items, administered by trained experts.
By 26 October 2024, cross-sectional data had been collected from 3950 psoriasis patients at 130 reference centres in 22 countries on six continents. The majority (55.7%) of patients were male, and the median (IQR) body mass index was 26.5 (23.7–30.1) kg/m2. The median (IQR) Psoriasis Area and Severity Index was 5.0 (2.0–11.4), and median (IQR) Dermatology Life Quality Index was 7.0 (2.0–14.0). Psoriatic arthritis was present in 20.2% of the patients and nail psoriasis in 36.7%. Additionally, 16.5% of patients were current smokers, and 26.4% reported regular alcohol consumption.
By identifying inequalities, special patient populations and country-specific differences, the GHSP will guide the development of strategies to enhance psoriasis care on a global level. Future directions include expanding the study to additional countries and sites worldwide, while transitioning into a long-term global registry of skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa, termed ‘Global Healthcare Registry on Skin Diseases’.
A resurgent methamphetamine epidemic is a major driver of HIV incidence in the USA. Although daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective for preventing HIV acquisition, its effectiveness depends on achieving and maintaining prevention-effective adherence (ie, four or more doses per week). Digital health interventions offer a scalable method to extend the reach of behavioural approaches to HIV prevention, but evidence of their efficacy in improving objectively measured adherence remains limited. Addressing this gap is critical to maximising the clinical and public health benefits of PrEP.
From 26 January 2022 through 17 January 2025, this single-blind, parallel-group randomised controlled trial (RCT) enrolled 239 men taking PrEP who reported problematic stimulant use and who resided in California or Florida. Participants were randomised to receive five individually delivered telehealth sessions of a positive psychological intervention (n=119) or an attention-control condition (n=120), both delivered alongside remote contingency management for directly observed PrEP doses using the Spotlight mobile health application. Participants received US$20 per session and up to US$360 for uploading videos of at least four PrEP doses per week over 3 months. Follow-up assessments at 3, 6 and 12 months included surveys and dried blood spot specimens to quantify tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP). The primary outcome is biobehavioural HIV acquisition risk, defined as any recent condomless anal sex in the absence of TFV-DP concentrations consistent with prevention-effective adherence.
This RCT was approved by the University of Miami Institutional Review Board and registered prior to initiation of enrolment. Analyses of primary and secondary outcomes using intent-to-treat principles will be conducted after the completion of TFV-DP assays in June 2026, with results disseminated shortly thereafter through peer-reviewed publications.
This RCT was registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov (
To examine and map the available literature on outcomes associated with interventions carried out by advanced practice nurses in chronic wound care.
The role of the advanced practice nurses in wound care is identified as a key element in the management of patients with chronic wounds. However, the literature offers fragmented knowledge of the outcomes associated with their practice.
Scoping review.
This scoping review was conducted following the methodological framework proposed by Arskey and O'Malley, following the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis for Scoping Review. PRISMA-ScR Checklist is included in the manuscript. Observational or experimental studies related to patients affected by chronic wounds and cared for by advanced practice nurses in wound care were included.
The following databases were queried: PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Scopus from 01 May 2025 to 31 October 2025.
The search strategy in the consulted databases identified 1956 studies; 31 met the inclusion criteria. Different types of chronic wounds were investigated: diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure injuries. The most frequently measured outcomes were clinical responses (healing, recurrence, complications), organizational efficiency (referrals, resource utilization), and patient-reported outcomes.
Evidence from the included studies suggests that Advanced practice nurses led wound care models may be associated with faster healing, lower recurrence and complication rates, and more efficient care pathways, across different settings. This review highlights the global applicability of APN-led models, showing consistent improvements in clinical, organizational, and patient-reported outcomes through core interventions.
This scoping review follows Arskey and O'Malley's methodological framework and the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis for Scoping Review.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
The revision protocol was registered on the OSF (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/P9TA4).
Patient safety is a global priority, as adverse events represent the 14th leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Among the most common complications in hospitalized adults are functional decline, pressure injuries, and falls, all of which increase hospital stays, healthcare costs, and mortality. Although these risks are typically assessed independently, their interaction has been scarcely explored, and the identification of integrated patient risk profiles could better guide nursing care.
To establish profiles of adult inpatients based simultaneously on their level of functional capacity, risk of pressure injuries, and risk of falls.
Cross-sectional observational study.
A total of 2.666 patients were admitted to adult inpatient units in a Spanish hospital.
Data from the Barthel, Braden, and Downton scales collected within 24 h of admission were analyzed. A hierarchical cluster analysis followed by the k-means method was used to classify patients. Relationship between profiles and clinical variables were explored through multiple correspondence analysis, and predictors for each profile were identified using multinomial logistic regression.
Three patient profiles were identified: profile 1 (low risk), minor dependency, low risk of pressure injuries and falls (68.5%); profile 2 (moderate risk), moderate dependency and intermediate risk (15.4%); and profile 3 (high risk), severe dependency with high risk of pressure injuries and falls (16.1%). Older age, female sex, and higher comorbidity were significantly associated with higher-risk profiles (p < 0.001).
Hospitalized adults can be reliably classified into risk profiles based on functional capacity and the risk of pressure injuries and falls.
The identification of combined risk profiles may potentially guide nursing strategies to enhance patient safety, support individualized care planning, and contribute to optimizing resource distribution in hospital settings.
Loss of functional capacity, pressure injuries, and falls are key nursing-sensitive indicators of care quality. Profile-based stratification offers a new framework for personalized, data-driven, and safety-oriented nursing care.
The identification of integrated risk profiles based on functional capacity, pressure injury risk, and fall risk may support more comprehensive nursing assessment in hospitalized adults. These profiles may help inform care prioritization, facilitate early identification of vulnerable patients, and contribute to more efficient allocation of nursing resources. Incorporating multidimensional risk stratification into clinical practice may enhance coordinated and patient-centered care planning.
by Sandra S. Chaves, Valérie Bosch Castells, Ainara Mira-Iglesias, Joan Puig-Barberà, F. Xavier López-Labrador, Miguel Tortajada-Girbés, Mario Carballido-Fernández, Joan Mollar-Maseres, Germán Schwarz-Chávarri, Javier Díez-Domingo, Alejandro Orrico-Sánchez, Valencia Hospital Network for the Study of Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses (VAHNSI)
BackgroundUnderstanding the burden of acute viral respiratory infection-related hospitalizations is crucial for guiding research and development. Unlike influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, no pharmaceutical interventions exist for other respiratory viruses; therefore, their impact remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to investigate the association of current non-vaccine-preventable respiratory viruses, especially rhinovirus/enterovirus (RV/EV), on hospitalizations during the respiratory seasons.
MethodsData from a prospective study that used multiplex polymerase chain reaction to conduct long-term surveillance on respiratory viruses in Valencia, Spain were analyzed. Patients aged ≥50 years hospitalized due to respiratory illness from 2014–15–2019–20 were included.
ResultsRespiratory viruses were detected in 35.2% (3,755/10,675) of hospitalized patients with acute respiratory illness. Influenza and RSV accounted for 22.1% of hospitalizations, RV/EV for 7.6%, and other non-vaccine-preventable viruses for 5.4%. Adults ≥75 years had average seasonal hospitalization incidence rates more than twice those aged 65–74 years and eight times those aged 50–64-year-olds. No significant differences in severity markers were observed among patients with or without virus identified, those aged ≥75 years had a 2–3 times higher mortality rate compared to younger age groups.
ConclusionsThe potential impact of respiratory viruses on hospitalization rates among older adults, particularly those aged ≥75 years, highlights the need for targeted interventions to reduce healthcare system burden. Enhanced diagnostic capabilities and the development of next-generation preventive strategies, including vaccines and therapeutics, could improve patient outcomes and strengthen the resilience of the healthcare system during respiratory virus seasons.
To achieve expert consensus on key organizational variables and categories of organizational interventions considered most relevant for promoting nurses' organizational well-being.
An e-Delphi study.
Three panels of experts were enrolled: nursing managers, clinical nurses and occupational psychologists. Eight variables from the Nursing Organizational Well-being model and six categories of intervention drawn from the literature were rated for perceived usefulness, applicability and organizational feasibility. Consensus was defined with thresholds for percentage agreement (≥ 75%; ≥ 85%), Content Validity Ratio (CVR ≥ 0.49) and Coefficient of Variation (CV < 0.5).
Eighty-four experts took part in Round 1, and forty-four in Round 2. The organizational variables with the most stable consensus were professional autonomy, workload, support from colleagues and superiors, with agreement > 90% and CV < 0.2. Among the areas of intervention, there was high consensus on organizational support. Mindfulness, meditation, yoga and digital interventions, although supported by literature, did not achieve a stable consensus.
This study identified organizational variables and areas of intervention that achieved stable expert consensus and can guide future organizational planning and empirical evaluation, rather than prescriptive recommendations, to improve nursing organizational well-being.
What problem did the study address? There is a lack of agreement on which organizational variables and areas of intervention should be a priority to support the organizational well-being of nurses, despite the extensive and heterogeneous literature on this topic. What were the main findings? Nurses, nursing managers and occupational psychologists agreed that: Organizational and work support, as well as educational/training were the most rated areas for intervention. Experts rated professional autonomy, workload and peer and supervisory support as priority areas in influencing nurses' well-being. Already noted interventions, such as mindfulness or yoga, did not reach consensus. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? The study results, highlighting shared priorities among experts, can inform nursing managers, organizational leadership and policymakers and guide organizational decision-making processes in designing future interventions. Professional autonomy, organizational support and working conditions emerged as shared expert priorities that may inform organizational reflection on nurses' well-being and workplace sustainability.
The study was conducted according to the Accurate Consensus Reporting Document (ACCORD) guidelines.
This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.
Despite the increasing number of doctorally prepared midwives in Europe, particularly after the Bologna Declaration 1999, little is known about the context and experiences of their doctoral education.
To explore European initially qualified midwives' experiences with doctoral education; and the context of their education through their professional associations.
An exploratory descriptive observational survey.
An ethically approved web-based survey was used to collect data from midwifery associations and midwives in 33 European countries between October and December 2024. Descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis were used to analyse the responses.
Twenty-two midwifery associations from 19 European countries and 207 midwives from 23 European countries participated. Over the last two decades, there has been an increase in the number of doctorally prepared midwives. Common reasons to gain doctoral qualifications included an interest in research, career progression, in particular in education, and improving healthcare. Midwives reported growing availability of European-wide opportunities for doctoral programmes, alongside an increase in the number of doctoral midwifery programmes and supervisors with midwifery expertise. Although many barriers were reported, effectively combining study with their personal life and support from family, friends and colleagues was highlighted as crucial factors in completing their doctoral studies.
This is the first study exploring the experiences of European midwives pursuing a doctoral degree. The findings highlight a need for universities to improve the collaboration with midwives' supportive networks as well as for the profession to reduce intraprofessional hostilities to enhance doctoral midwifery students' well-being.
Implications for the profession: Acknowledging challenges faced by these midwives is necessary to improve professional and institutional support in academia and midwifery.
Findings of this study inform strategies to improve doctoral education for midwives and, in this way, strengthen the contributions of midwives to maternal evidenced-based care development and healthcare innovations.
The Consensus-Based Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies (CROSS) was used to guide reporting.
This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.
To conduct a concept analysis of ‘safe mobility’, with specific application in hospitalised older adults, identifying its defining attributes, antecedents and consequences.
The promotion of safe mobility is essential for maintaining the functionality of hospitalised older adults. However, this idea is not yet clearly defined in the scientific literature, requiring a conceptual analysis for better understanding and applicability in nursing practice.
Concept analysis.
The concept analysis methodology of Walker and Avant was employed, consisting of eight steps. Sources from the scientific literature (BDENF/VHL, Scopus, CINAHL/EBSCO, Embase, Web of Science, PEDro, MEDLINE/PubMed and CAPES Thesis and Dissertation Catalogue, as outlined in a scoping review previously published by the authors) and terminologies from dictionaries and nursing practice, such as SNOMED CT, ICNP, NANDA, NIC and NOC, were analysed.
The concept of ‘safe mobility’ does not have a consolidated definition but was identified through three defining attributes: active movement, prevention of fall-related harm and prevention of immobility-related harm. The antecedents include the older adults' conditions, adaptation of the hospital environment, training of the multidisciplinary team, patient behaviour and family involvement. The consequences involve the maintenance of functionality, improvement of quality of life, reduction of hospital length of stay and costs, as well as a decrease in rates of readmission, referrals to long-term care institutions and mortality.
The concept analysis revealed that safe mobility involves promoting active movement and preventing harm related to both immobility and falls.
Strategies based on this concept can improve the quality of life of older adults, reduce complications and optimise hospital costs.
This concept analysis examines existing literature and does not require patient-related data collection. The methodological approach does not necessitate collaboration with the public.
To describe the prevalence and determinants of workplace violence against nurses in the Italian home care setting.
Secondary cross-sectional analysis of data from the multicentre study AIDOMUS-IT.
Nurses employed in home care services provided by Italian Local Health Authorities were interviewed using a variety of instruments. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was performed to model the risk of workplace violence against nurses in the last 12 months. Variables related to violence were selected among sociodemographic characteristics (such as age and gender), work-related factors (including years of experience, team composition, overtime working, previous experience in mental health care, burnout) and organisational elements (including leadership and support, workload, staffing and resources adequacy, and time to reach the patients' homes). Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were used to present the results.
A total of 3949 nurses participated in the study and 20.49% of them reported to have experienced an episode of violence in the last 12 months. Determinants of higher risk of violence episodes were younger age (aOR = 1.02, p = 0.002), higher workload (aOR = 1.01, p = 0.002), working in a multiprofessional team (aOR = 1.24, p = 0.018), perception of inadequate managerial leadership and support (aOR = 1.38, p = 0.003), and higher burnout levels (aOR = 1.01, p < 0.001).
The prevalence of workplace violence against Italian home care nurses is high. Several modifiable determinants were found to be associated with a higher risk of violence, which can potentially be mitigated with tailored interventions.
Effective preventive strategies must be developed to lessen workplace violence against nurses in the home care setting. These strategies should focus on strengthening nursing managers' leadership and support skills, enhancing team-building strategies, avoiding inadequate workload, monitoring nurses' burnout, estimating optimum staffing levels, and assigning advanced-career nurses to home care services. These measures are imperative to guarantee the quality and safety of home care organisations and to attain favourable outcomes in the provision of care.
This study aimed to explore the prevalence and determinants of workplace violence against nurses in the Italian home care settings. We found that out of the 3949 nurses surveyed, 20% of the sample reported one episode of violence during the last 12 months. Determinants of this violence included younger age, higher workload and burnout, being in a multiprofessional team, and perception of lack of leadership and support by the nurse manager. The results of this study can be used to tailor interventions aimed at mitigating the risk factors of violence, particularly those that can be modified (e.g., workload, burnout, and leadership).
The study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.
No patient or public contribution.
To estimate the proportion of Italian nurse managers (NMs) intending to leave (ITL) their positions and to identify associated socio-demographic, job-related, and psychosocial factors.
Cross-sectional study.
Between September and November 2023, 464 NMs from 19 public hospitals completed a case-report form and the short version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II (COPSOQ II). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) identified ITL profiles, and multiple logistic regression assessed factors associated with ITL.
284 NMs (61.2%; 95% CI 57–66) reported an intention to leave within 12 months. LCA identified two classes: (1) Low-ITL (54%)—mainly outpatient NMs from Central regions with strong relationships with management, good support, work–life balance, and autonomy (55.9% probability of being unlikely to leave). (2) High-ITL (46%)—mainly surgical or critical-care NMs, often from Northern regions, marked by poor management relations, low support and high work–family conflict (80.9% probability of being likely to leave). Multiple regression confirmed that stronger management relations reduced ITL (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.46–0.79) whereas high job demands and work–health conflict increased it (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.19–2.04). Northern location also predicted higher ITL (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.03–2.44). Demographics, education, and clinical setting were not significantly associated.
These findings suggest that healthcare organizations should prioritize managerial and organizational strategies targeting modifiable work-related factors to reduce nurse managers' intention to leave. Interventions aimed at improving organizational support, work environment, and job satisfaction may contribute to workforce retention at the managerial level. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of targeted organizational interventions in sustaining nurse manager retention.
Objetivo. Evaluar si existe asociación entre depresión y ansiedad con el rendimiento académico en estudiantes de enfermería de la Universidad Villasunción, Aguascalientes, México. Metodología. Estudio cuantitativo, observacional, descriptivo-correlacional y de corte transversal. La población estuvo conformada por 273 estudiantes de la Licenciatura en Enfermería. Se seleccionó una muestra de 161 participantes mediante muestreo estratificado. Para evaluar la depresión se utilizó el Inventario de Depresión de Beck II (BDI-II) y para ansiedad el Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck (BAI). El rendimiento académico se obtuvo a partir del promedio general acumulado. Los datos se analizaron mediante estadística descriptiva y prueba de chi-cuadrado de Pearson utilizando SPSS versión 27, con un nivel de significancia de p ≤ 0.05. Resultados. El 54.7% de los estudiantes presentó niveles mínimos de depresión, mientras que el 16.1% reportó niveles graves. En cuanto a la ansiedad, el 30.4% mostró niveles mínimos y el 20.5% niveles graves. El rendimiento académico predominante fue “Bueno” (59%). Mediante la prueba de chi-cuadrado de Pearson se identificó una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre depresión y rendimiento académico (p= 0.030). En contraste, la ansiedad no mostró una asociación significativa con el rendimiento académico (p= 0.506). Discusión. La depresión se asocia significativamente con el rendimiento académico en estudiantes de enfermería, lo que evidencia la importancia de considerar la salud mental como un factor relevante en el desempeño académico universitario.
ABSTRACT
Objective. To evaluate whether there is an association between depression and anxiety and academic performance among nursing students at Universidad Villasunción in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Methodology. A quantitative, observational, descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted. The population consisted of 273 undergraduate nursing students. A sample of 161 participants was selected using stratified sampling. Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), and anxiety was measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Academic performance was obtained from the students’ cumulative grade point average. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square test with SPSS version 27, considering a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results. A total of 54.7% of students presented minimal levels of depression, while 16.1% reported severe levels. Regarding anxiety, 30.4% showed minimal levels and 20.5% severe levels. The predominant academic performance category was “Good” (59%). Pearson’s chi-square test identified a statistically significant association between depression and academic performance (p = 0.030). In contrast, anxiety did not show a significant association with academic performance (p = 0.506). Discussion. Depression is significantly associated with academic performance among nursing students, highlighting the importance of considering mental health as a relevant factor in university academic outcomes.
To assess public support and predictors of favourable or unfavourable views towards expanding Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) roles in Germany.
A quantitative, cross-sectional survey using Germany as a national case study.
Data came from the Politikpanel Deutschland, an online survey conducted 15–28 July 2024. After exclusions, 6733 respondents were included. Data were weighted by age, gender, federal state, and voting intention. Descriptive statistics, subgroup comparisons, and multinomial logistic regression were applied to analyse attitudes towards APNs, with results reported as average marginal effects and predicted probabilities.
Overall, 52.8% of respondents supported expanding APN roles, 25% opposed, and the remainder were undecided. Support was stronger among younger, male, and highly educated respondents, and those open to digital health technologies. Support was lower in East Germany and the city-states Berlin and Bremen, while it was higher in the south-west and north. Political ideology strongly predicted attitudes: supporters of right-wing parties were more likely to oppose, whereas left-leaning voters were more supportive.
Public support for expanding APN roles in Germany is moderate but uneven across demographic, regional, and political cohorts. Younger individuals and those favouring digital health technologies may drive future acceptance, while political resistance and regional disparities remain barriers.
This first, large-scale survey of German public attitudes towards APNs suggests that policymakers should (i) link APN role expansion with digital health innovations, (ii) address regional differences through tailored communication, and (iii) ensure that patients, physicians, and healthcare professionals perceive APN integration as enhancing, not diminishing primary care quality. Strengthening legal and educational frameworks and fostering collaboration between physicians and nurses will not only be essential to integrate APNs into Germany's healthcare system and, thereby, mitigate physician shortages, but also to foster public acceptance of APNs.
None.
CROSS-checklist.
To assess and compare the diagnostic accuracy of non-ophthalmologist-led diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) at health and wellness centres (HWCs) and offline artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted community-based screening, using specialist grading as the reference standard in India.
Pragmatic diagnostic accuracy study in primary healthcare settings. The settings included HWCs and community-based screening sites in rural Block Boothgarh, Mohali District, Punjab, India. A total of 600 people with diabetes aged ≥30 years were enrolled across three screening models: (1) non-ophthalmologist-led DRS at the HWC, (2) AI-assisted smartphone-based DRS in the community and (3) standard referral-based care. Retinal images were captured using non-mydriatic fundus cameras and independently graded by two masked human graders; a senior retina specialist resolved any disagreements. The AI was assessed for its ability to detect diabetic retinopathy (DR) and referable diabetic retinopathy (RDR). Diagnostic performance metrics were reported.
The non-ophthalmologist-led model demonstrated 86.4% sensitivity (95% CI 65.1% to 97.1%) and 94.3% specificity (95% CI 88.5% to 97.7%) for DR detection, with an ungradability rate of 8%. For RDR, sensitivity reached 95.8% (95% CI 78.9% to 99.9%) and specificity was 93.1% (95% CI 88.0% to 96.5%). The offline AI-assisted model achieved 93.3% sensitivity (95% CI 68.1% to 99.8%) and 85.1% specificity (95% CI 76.9% to 91.2%) for RDR, but with a higher ungradability rate (38%), mainly due to cataracts and poor image quality. Both approaches effectively identified referable cases; however, the non-ophthalmologist-led model demonstrated greater accuracy and operational feasibility.
This study demonstrates that non-ophthalmologist-led DRS at HWCs can enhance access to primary care. Offline AI-enabled screening demonstrates potential for community use but is currently limited by image quality and binary classification outputs. Integrating both approaches may strengthen DRS coverage in resource-limited settings.
CTRI/2022/10/046283.
To describe interventions to mitigate weight bias among practicing healthcare providers and examine their effectiveness.
An integrative review.
The framework of Whittemore and Knafl (2005) was utilised to identify and synthesise studies of weight bias interventions. Covidence reference management software facilitated screening using predetermined eligibility criteria that is, published in peer-reviewed journals, reported in English, and described outcomes for weight bias mitigation interventions among healthcare providers with a professional practice licence. We evaluated study quality using Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Tools for qualitative and quantitative studies.
Five databases were searched (CINAHL, Embase, EBSCOhost, APA PsycINFO, and Scopus) in July 2024.
Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Four themes emerged: (1) active learning lessens weight bias more than passive learning, (2) multicomponent approaches yield better outcomes, (3) healthcare providers are willing to change their practices, and (4) explicit attitudes and beliefs are more amenable to change than implicit ones. Four sub-themes within theme one included the use of in-person workgroups; films, computer-based, and podcast delivery; written modules; and physical characteristic modifications, such as the use of an adiposity empathy suit. Intervention designs using a theory-based, active learning approach with repeated sessions were most successful at decreasing negative weight-biased attitudes and beliefs.
Interventions that effectively reduce weight bias among practicing healthcare providers vary, yet evidence suggests that weight bias mitigation is achievable. These interventions offer strategies to improve patient-centred care among patients living with obesity.
Healthcare providers often display weight bias. This review synthesises information on effective interventions for reducing bias, which may limit the subsequent negative patient outcomes associated with it.
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was the structure used for this paper.
There were no patient or public contributions.
To explore how individuals with long covid experienced various aspects of a micro-choice-based rehabilitation programme and if these experiences could facilitate behaviour change.
A qualitative study with three focus groups was conducted, in mean 9.8 months after completing the rehabilitation programme. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation.
The study was conducted in a university setting.
19 participants (aged 23–55 years, 15 women) were included between Spring 2021 and Autumn 2022.
The participants in this study had participated in a 3-day concentrated micro-choice-based rehabilitation programme. One of the main features of this intervention was to support participants in shifting their focus from targeting symptoms to choosing alternative actions aimed at improving everyday functioning, referred to as micro-choices.
Five themes were identified: (1) reduction in uncertainty achieved through reassurance and motivation; (2) ‘in the same boat’: sharing experiences and supporting each other; (3) knowledge about the body’s stress responses and micro-choices; (4) shifting between individual practice and close collaboration with the therapists; and (5) sustaining behaviour change is challenging. These themes illustrated how participants’ experiences with different aspects of the rehabilitation programme facilitated both the initiation and maintenance of behaviour change. The participants highlighted the importance of acknowledging their challenges, reducing fear, sharing experiences with peers, feeling understood and supported, collaborating with a skilled team, receiving personalised guidance and gaining insights through the exploration and implementation of micro-choices. Participants also highlighted that behaviour change is an ongoing process requiring sustained effort.
The findings showed how participants experienced various aspects of a concentrated micro-choice-based rehabilitation programme as supportive of behaviour change. The findings indicate that a concentrated rehabilitation programme may facilitate self-management and improve everyday function in individuals with long covid.
Neoplastic foot ulcers are particularly challenging for dermatologists and specialists in hard-to-heal wounds because their location and comorbidities can delay accurate diagnosis. We performed a multicentre, retrospective study analysing clinical and histological data, focusing on neoplastic foot ulcers collected over the past 5 years. We evaluated patients' demographic characteristics, clinical features, histological diagnosis, tumour onset and ulcer site. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software, v.30. In total, 106 patients affected by foot skin ulcers were enrolled in the present protocol (52 women, 54 men). The mean age was 70.15 years. In most cases, the neoplastic ulcer was due to primary tumour ulceration. The dorsum of the foot was the most common site of neoplastic ulcers (66%). From a clinical perspective, most lesions were classified as ulcerated nodules (n = 58), ulcerated plaques (n = 8) or hypergranulating ulcers (n = 25), all with thickened, atypical edges. Histological diagnoses included melanoma (n = 45), non-melanoma skin cancers (n = 34), benign tumours (n = 18) and rarer malignancies (n = 9). A statistically significant correlation was found between histotype and clinical lesion type, and between age and histotype. The study provided preliminary data on the clinical and histological characteristics of neoplastic foot ulcers, warranting further exploration in a prospective, multicentre study.
Migration is a complex global phenomenon, with millions of people relocating each year driven by various social or personal reasons. Among them, refugees and asylum seekers form a particularly vulnerable subgroup, often forced to escape conflicts, persecution or life-threatening conditions. Most mental health assessment tools, originally developed in high-income countries and validated primarily in Western populations, may lack the cultural validity needed for this demographic. The primary objective is to systematically review and synthesise the psychometric properties and cultural validity of mental health assessment tools validated for refugees and asylum seekers. Secondary objectives are to (a) identify the range of mental health symptoms these tools assess and (b) describe the geographical coverage in terms of the regions of origin and host countries where tools have been validated.
Reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, the review will conduct searches across different databases (ie, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, Global Index Medicus, CINAHL and Scopus), from inception to January 2025, with no restrictions on language. We will include validation, adaptation or diagnostic accuracy studies, as well as any other study design that reports at least one psychometric property of a mental health assessment tool. Two pairs of reviewers will screen, extract and appraise each study independently. Methodological quality will be assessed with the COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments) Risk-of-Bias checklist for measurement studies and QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2) for diagnostic accuracy studies; the certainty of the evidence per property will be graded using the COSMIN-GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Narrative synthesis will be performed for all properties; where appropriate, meta-analyses will pool Cronbach’s α (Fisher-Z), intraclass correlations and sensitivity/specificity estimates using random-effects models. Inconsistency will be explored with subgroup analyses and meta-regressions; publication bias will be investigated with funnel plots and Egger’s test when ≥10 studies are available.
Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review, as no empirical data will be collected. Results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication in a scientific journal and presented at relevant conferences.
CRD42024510901.
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