Previous studies have shown the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with reductions in volume across a spectrum of non-SARS-CoV-2 hospitalizations. In the present study, we examine the impact of the pandemic on patient safety and quality of care.
This is a retrospective population-based study of discharge abstracts.
We applied a set of nationally validated indicators for measuring the quality of inpatient care to hospitalizations in Ontario, Canada between January 2010 and December 2022. We measured 90-day mortality after selected types of higher risk admissions (such as cancer surgery and cardiovascular emergency) and the rate of patient harm events (such as delirium, pressure injuries and hospital-acquired infections) occurring during the hospital stay.
A total 13,876,377 hospitalization episodes were captured. Compared with the pre-pandemic period, and independent of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the pandemic period was associated with higher rates of mortality after bladder cancer resection (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 1.20 (1.07–1.34)) and open repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm (aRR 1.45 (1.06–1.99)). The pandemic was also associated with higher rates of delirium (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.04 (1.02–1.06)), venous thromboembolism (aOR 1.10 (1.06–1.13)), pressure injuries (aOR 1.28 (1.24–1.33)), aspiration pneumonitis (aOR 1.15 (1.12–1.18)), urinary tract infections (aOR 1.02 (1.01–1.04)), Clostridiodes difficile infection (aOR 1.05 (1.02–1.09)), pneumothorax (aOR 1.08 (1.03–1.13)), and use of restraints (aOR 1.12 (1.10–1.14)), but was associated with lower rates of viral gastroenteritis (aOR 0.22 (0.18–0.28)). During the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2-positive admissions were associated with a higher likelihood of various harm events.
The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with higher rates of patient harm for a wide range of non-SARS-CoV-2 inpatient populations.
Understanding which quality measures are improving or deteriorating can help health systems prioritize quality improvement initiatives.
No patient or public contribution.
The aim of the study was to develop recommendations for creating a healthy work environment based on current literature for nurses working within the US Military Health System (MHS). However, our findings would likely benefit other nursing populations and environments as well.
Systematic literature review.
We conducted a systematic literature search for articles published between January 2010 until January 2024 from five databases: PubMed, Joanna Briggs, Embase, CINAHL and Scopus.
Articles were screened, selected and extracted using Covidence software. Article findings were synthesized to create recommendations for the development, implementation and measurement of healthy work environments.
Ultimately, a total of 110 articles met the criteria for inclusion in this review. The articles informed 13 recommendations for creating a healthy work environment. The recommendations included ensuring teamwork, mentorship, job satisfaction, supportive leadership, nurse recognition and adequate staffing and resources. Additionally, we identified strategies for implementing and measuring these recommendations.
This thorough systematic review created actionable recommendations for the creation of a healthy work environment. Based on available evidence, implementation of these recommendations could improve nursing work environments.
This study identifies methods for implementing and measuring aspects of a healthy work environment. Nurse leaders or others can implement the recommendations provided here to develop healthy work environments in their hospitals, clinics or other facilities where nurses practice.
PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
No patient or public contribution.
The resilience education of intern nursing students has significant implications for the development and improvement of the nursing workforce. The clinical internship period is a critical time for enhancing resilience.
To evaluate the resilience level of Chinese nursing interns and explore the effects of factors affecting resilience early in their careers, focusing on the mediating roles of career adaptability between clinical learning environment and resilience.
The cross-sectional study design was adopted. From March 2022 to May 2023, 512 nursing interns in tertiary care hospitals were surveyed online with the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Clinical Learning Environment Scale for Nurse and the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale. Structural equation modelling was used to clarify the relationships among these factors. Indirect effects were tested using bootstrapped confidence intervals.
The nursing interns showed a moderately high level of resilience [M (SD) = 70.15 (19.90)]. Gender, scholastic attainment, scholarship, career adaptability and clinical learning environment were influencing factors of nursing interns' resilience. Male interns with good academic performance showed higher levels of resilience. Career adaptability and clinical learning environment positively and directly affected their resilience level (β = 0.62, 0.18, respectively, p < .01). Career adaptability was also positively affected by the clinical learning environment (β = 0.36, p < .01), and mediated the effect of clinical learning environment on resilience (β = 0.22, p < .01).
Clinical learning environment can positively affect the resilience level of nursing interns. Career adaptability can affect resilience directly and also play a mediating role between clinical learning environment and resilience. Thus, promotion of career adaptability and clinical teaching environment should be the potential strategies for nursing interns to improve their resilience, especially for female nursing interns with low academic performance.
Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) pose significant challenges in healthcare and cause increased patient suffering, longer hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. Paediatric patients face unique risks, but evidence remains scarce. This study aimed to identify and describe HAPI admission incidence and severity predictors in a large Australian children's hospital.
This retrospective cohort study investigated all paediatric patients between January 2020 and December 2021 using a census approach. Demographic and clinical data including HAPI-related data were accessed from the incident monitoring and hospital administration databases. The incidence rate (per 1000 patient admissions) was calculated based on all admissions. Predictors of HAPI severity were identified using multivariable multinomial logistic regression. The study adhered to the STROBE guidelines for retrospective cohort studies.
The HAPI incidence rate was 6.96 per 1000 patient admissions. Of the age groups, neonates had the highest HAPI incidence (15.5 per 1000 admissions). Critically ill children had the highest rate for admission location (12.8 per 1000 patient admissions). Most reported cases were stage I (64.2%). Age was associated with injury severity, with older paediatric patients more likely to develop higher-stage HAPIs. Additionally, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients had a higher HAPI severity risk.
HAPI injuries in paediatric patients are unacceptably high. Prevention should be prioritized, and the quality of care improved in Australia and beyond. Further research is needed to develop targeted prevention strategies for these vulnerable populations.
This research emphasizes the need for standardized reporting, culturally sensitive care and tailored prevention strategies.
The research has the potential to influence healthcare policies and practices, ultimately enhancing the quality of patient care.
STROBE guidelines.
There was no patient or public contribution to the conduct of this study.
To explore youth, caregiver and staff perspectives on their vision of trauma-informed care, and to identify and understand potential considerations for the implementation of a trauma-informed care programme in an inpatient mental health unit within a paediatric hospital.
We applied the Interpretive Description approach, guided by complexity theory and the Implementation Roadmap, and used Applied Thematic Analysis methods.
Twenty-five individuals participated in individual or group interviews between March and June 2022, including 21 healthcare professionals, 3 youth and 1 caregiver. We identified two overarching themes. The first theme, ‘Understanding and addressing the underlying reasons for distress’, related to participants’ understanding and vision of TIC in the current setting comprising: (a) ‘Participants’ understanding of TIC’; (b) ‘Trauma screening and trauma processing within TIC’; (c) ‘Taking “a more individualized approach”’; (d) ‘Unit programming’; and (e) “Connecting to the community”. The second theme, ‘Factors that support or limit successful TIC implementation’ comprises: (a) ‘The need for a broad “cultural shift”’; (b) ‘The physical environment on the unit’; and (c) ‘Factors that may limit successful implementation’.
We identified five key domains to consider within trauma-informed care implementation: (a) the centrality of engagement with youth, caregivers and staff in trauma-informed care delivery and implementation, (b) trauma-informed care core programme components, (c) factors that may support or limit success in implementing trauma-informed care within the mental health unit and (d) hospital-wide and (e) the importance of intersectoral collaboration (partnering with external organizations and sectors).
When implementing TIC, there is an ongoing need to increase clarity regarding TIC interventions and implementation initiatives. Youth, caregiver and healthcare professional participants shared considerations important for planning the delivery and implementation of trauma-informed care in their setting. We identified five key domains to consider within trauma-informed care implementation: (a) the centrality of relational engagement, (b) trauma-informed care programme components, (c) factors that may support or limit successful implementation of trauma-informed care within the mental health unit and (d) hospital-wide and (e) the importance of intersectoral collaboration. Organizations wishing to implement trauma-informed care should consider ongoing engagement with all relevant knowledge user groups throughout the process.
Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR).
The local hospital research institute's Patient and Family Advisory Committee reviewed the draft study methods and provided feedback.
To analyse the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the perception of self-efficacy on the health professionals of the Spanish out-of-hospital emergency services.
Observational, cross-sectional and descriptive with a survey methodology of 1710 participants from Spain (1 February–30 April, 2021).
The mental health of healthcare workers was assesed in terms of stress, anxiety and depression, as well as their self-efficacy. Linear and logistic regression models were fitted to predict these variables. A moderation analysis was conducted to determine the effect of self-efficacy on mental health.
The means of the sample for stress, anxiety, depression and self-efficacy were 20.60, 15.74, 13.07 and 70.87, respectively. In the regression models, being a woman was the most significant factor for severe mental health impairment. Female gender was also a relevant factor for self-efficacy. Self-efficacy had a direct effect on the mental health for working in patient care.
Healthcare workers showed moderate stress, severe anxiety, mild depression and good self-efficacy. Direct patient care was associated with more stress and severe anxiety. Age, female gender, job changes and job adjustment were associated with levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Self-efficacy is a determining factor of mental health in the direct care modality.
The mental health of healthcare workers has been of great importance in the aftermath of the pandemic, but out-of-hospital emergency workers have been neglected in research. The levels of stress, anxiety and depression during the pandemic justify the creation of prevention and early diagnosis programmes, as they are essential in a health disaster. Surprisingly, their high level of perceived self-efficacy directly impact on the mental health of patient helthcare workers, so improving it will reduce the psychological risk.
We have followed the STROBE guidelines. It has been partially funded by the Asistencia Sanitanitaria Interprovincial de Seguros - ASISA Foundation (Spain).
‘No patient or public involvement’.
To evaluate the literature to inform and propose a conceptual definition for dementia friendly in the context of hospitalization.
The Walker & Avant method for concept analysis was utilized for this review.
Initial search conducted June 2022. Repeated search conducted in February 2023. Databases for the literature search include Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and AGELINE.
Five attributes of the concept of dementia friendly in the context of hospitalization were identified including: staff knowledge/education, environmental modification, person-centred care, nursing care delivery and inclusion of family caregivers. Based on these attributes a conceptual definition is proposed.
A clarified definition for dementia friendly in the context of hospitalization will aid in understanding the concept, provide guidance for hospitals seeking to implement dementia-friendly interventions and benefit researchers aiming to study the impact of such programs.
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No Patient or Public Contribution.
To highlight the value of utilizing the Listening Guide methodology for nursing research and provide an exemplar applying this methodology to explore a novel concept in an underrepresented group—inner strength in persons newly diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment along with their care partners.
Methodology discussion paper.
The exemplar study used the Listening Guide methods for data elicitation and analysis. Methods included adaptations for the study population and novice qualitative researchers.
The Listening Guide methodology with adaptations enabled the research team to centre the voices of persons living with mild cognitive impairment, highlight an abstract phenomenon and attend to the influences of the sociopolitical context. Further, this methodology helped address common challenges emerging qualitative researchers encounter, including understanding methods of application, engaging reflexively and immersing in the data.
The Listening Guide is a voice-centred qualitative methodology that is well suited to foreground the experiences of groups underrepresented in research and explore emerging phenomena.
Nurses are central to striving for health equity. The Listening Guide methodology offers a valuable and accessible research tool to understand the experiences and needs of underrepresented groups and shape healthcare in response.
The Listening Guide methodology can be broadly applied to research with persons with mild cognitive impairment, and other underrepresented groups, to explore other phenomena beyond inner strength and move the science forward in representing the perspectives of groups underrepresented by research.
Persons living with cognitive impairment and their care partners participated in study conceptualization, interview guide development, methods development and dissemination plans.
To assess visitors' perceptions of the benefits and challenges related to engaging in a remote visit intervention, which was designed to address the loneliness of people living with moderate to severe dementia in care homes.
A qualitative descriptive study.
Twenty-four people living with dementia in care homes in Canada and their family and friends (i.e., remote visitors) took part in facilitated remote visits in 2021. Each person living with dementia received scheduled visits for 30–60 min per week for 6 weeks. Participants chose to complete one longer visit, or multiple shorter visits, per week. Twenty remote visitors participated in semi-structured interviews after six weeks to discuss their perspectives on the effectiveness, benefits and challenges of the program in relation to addressing experiences of loneliness of the person living with dementia. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze the data.
We describe three themes and several sub-themes. Themes support the use of remote visits to enhance, rather than replace, in-person visits; the benefits of remote visits for the person living with dementia and their remote visitors; and the conditions that lead to a successful remote visit.
Remote visitors reported that facilitated visits had positive effects for both visitors and people living with dementia with respect to loneliness, communication, relationships, and social connection.
Clinicians can consider the factors that contributed to positive experiences of remote visits. The factors include individualized, facilitated visits that were flexible, and the use of reliable technology in a supportive, distraction-free environment.
Loneliness and social isolation are growing health concerns. When experienced by people living with dementia residing in long-term care homes, loneliness and social isolation can result in lower levels of quality of life and well-being, and higher levels of anxiety and responsive behaviours. Remote visitors perceived that facilitated remote visits have the potential to address loneliness and improve quality of life for people living with dementia and also offer social support to remote visitors. The findings can impact clinician practice by guiding the use of remote visits in care homes, and inform future intervention research to evaluate the effectiveness of remote visits for people living with dementia and their remote visitors.
This manuscript adheres to the relevant EQUATOR guidelines (the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research or COREQ).
No patient or public contribution.
This study explores the mediational role of resilience, experiential avoidance and emotion regulation in the levels of anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we explored the association of such levels with personal and professional variables.
Cross-sectional study.
Healthcare professionals working in Spain (N = 786) were recruited following a snowball approach in November and December 2021. Resilience, emotion regulation, experiential avoidance, depression, anxiety, PTSD and work-related variables were measured. Mean differences and correlations were computed, and a path analysis with latent variables (PALV) model was tested.
In total, 18.8% of the sample scored above the cut-off score for depression, 24.6% for anxiety and 36.4% for PTSD. Higher resilience and lower experiential avoidance and expression suppression were correlated with better mental health. The PALV model explained 42%–53% of mental health outcomes. Experiential avoidance showed the greatest explanatory power and mediated the impact that stressors had on mental health. Some work-related variables correlated with greater psychological impact. These factors encompassed being a nurse, feeling that their job remained stressful and had not yet returned to its pre-pandemic state and having interacted with individuals facing economic difficulties due to the pandemic, and those who had lost their lives to COVID-19.
Healthcare workers showed high levels of psychological impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such impact was predicted from some work-stress variables and the reliance on maladaptive strategies such as experiential avoidance and expressive suppression.
Training healthcare professionals to use coping strategies incompatible with experiential avoidance may improve their mental health. Additionally, better working conditions are fundamental for reducing the impact of critical situations on healthcare workers' mental health.
No patient or public contribution.
To explore parents' perceptions/experiences of help-seeking for unsettled baby behaviours, including views and experiences of obtaining advice from primary healthcare professionals.
Semi-structured qualitative interviews.
Recruitment occurred via social media, general practice and health visiting teams. Remote semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of babies. Babies were under 12 months old at time of interview, and parents had perceived unsettled baby behaviours in their first 4 months of life. Interviews were transcribed and data analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Based on interviews with 25 mothers, four main themes were developed. ‘The need for answers’ highlighted parental uncertainty about what constitutes normal baby behaviour, leading to help-seeking from multiple sources. ‘The importance of health professionals’ and ‘Experiencing health professional support’ identified perceptions about limited access, communication, mixed advice and how these influenced parental perception/management of behaviours. ‘Foundations to help-seeking’ highlighted important roles of social support and online help for valued shared experiences, emotional and practical support.
Health professional access and advice are important to parents, despite the increasing role of online help and importance of social support. More support and improved access to reliable sources of information is needed for parents.
Findings will inform future research and clinical practice to address parental uncertainties. Qualitative research with front-line health professionals is necessary.
Findings can inform the development of resources to support professionals/families managing unsettled babies.
Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.
A public contributor was involved throughout all stages of the research. Emerging findings were discussed at a parent group.
Addressing parental uncertainties is important; about what is normal, non-pharmacological approaches and when pharmacological intervention is required. A digital information/self-management intervention may be useful for parents/clinicians.
The leader's ability to act with self-awareness, lead with generosity, and consider others' opinions is what defines humility leadership. In recent healthcare literature, there has been extensive exploration of humility leadership and psychological safety, but these studies were non-nursing. It is crucial to understand how humble leaders can empower their staff's psychological safety, as inclusivity is a key aspect of humility leadership and is closely linked to psychological safety. Therefore, this study examined the association between nursing leaders' humility leadership and team members' psychological safety.
A quantitative cross-sectional design was used in the current study.
To assess the studied variables, 245 nursing academics, nurses, and nursing leaders were recruited from different universities and hospitals using the convenience snowball sampling technique, yielding a response rate of 70%. After a pilot study, an online survey using Google Forms was hosted in 2022.
The psychological safety of nursing team members was not found to be associated with the humility leadership of nursing leaders. Despite the participants' reports of their nursing leaders exhibiting humility leadership (mean = 3.57/5, SE = 0.055), the participants also reported that psychological safety was borderline (mean = 3.09/5, SE = 0.041).
The borderline nursing team members' psychological safety implies that different types of leadership may have an impact on the psychological safety of nursing team members. The lack of association between nursing leaders' humility leadership and the psychological safety of nursing team members highlights the need for further understanding and effort from nursing leaders to establish psychologically safe work environments.
This research offers valuable insights into how the humility of nursing leaders impacts the psychological safety of nursing team members. The psychological safety of the nursing team members highlights the specific responsibilities that nursing leaders should assume to establish psychologically safe work environments.
There was no Patient or Public Contribution, as the sample included nursing academics, nurses, and nursing leaders recruited from different universities and hospitals.
A simple intervention that humble leaders can initiate is inclusivity, where subordinates' positive worth, strengths, and contributions are acknowledged. Inclusivity is a characteristic of humility leadership. Improving teams'’ psychological safety calls to promote a culture of civility in the workplace. A random and larger sample is needed, including other types of universities and hospitals, using other research designs across other cultures.
To understand specialized nurses' role in the culture of patient safety and their ability to promote and enforce it within healthcare.
A systematic integrative review using the approach of Whittemore and Knafl.
Systematic literature search for qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies, followed by data evaluation, quality assessment, analysis and research synthesis with a narrative perspective. Findings were contextualized within a ‘framework for understanding the development of patient safety culture’.
Searches were conducted in PubMed [including MEDLINE], Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science and EMBASE from Jan 2013 until Sep 2023.
Sixteen studies published in English from six different countries were selected and used for research synthesis. Diverse enabling factors and enacting behaviours influencing specialized nurses' roles to promote patient safety culture were identified, mainly focusing on nurses' workload, professional experiences and organizational commitment. Patient safety outcomes focused on medication management, infection prevention, surveillance process in critical care, oversight on quality and safety of nurses' practice, patient care management, continuity of care, adherence to the treatment plan and implementation of a specialized therapeutic procedure.
Specialized nurses can make a significant contribution to promote patient safety culture and support organizational initiatives to prevent adverse events.
Stronger participation and leadership of specialized nurses in initiatives to improve patient safety culture requires appropriate investments and support by policy makers and managers in terms of resources and training.
There is a gap in existing literature on the contribution that specialized nurses can make in promoting patient safety culture. Review results highlight the importance of interprofessional collaboration and teamwork by involving specialized nurses. They inform healthcare policy makers about recognizing their roles and competencies in patient safety culture.
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
No patient or public contribution.
To explore self-care and needs and preferences towards tailored self-care support of patients with rheumatoid arthritis at the outpatient clinic.
A sequential explanatory mixed method design.
The Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory questionnaire, two focus groups and six semi-structured interviews were conducted between November 2021 and April 2023. Questionnaires of 107 patients were descriptively analysed. Subsequently, 11 patients and 2 healthcare professionals participated in the focus groups and 6 patients in the interviews, which were thematically analysed.
Quantitative and qualitative data corresponded and showed that patients perform various self-care activities at an adequate level and have strategies to exert control and reduce symptoms. One key theme emerged: ‘Not only being the person with rheumatoid arthritis’ (RA) as patients primarily aim to get on with their lives. Nine subthemes covered self-care activities for maintaining health including staying physically active, finding the right medication and dose and adapting their diet. Patients differed in how they self-monitored their symptoms. Recognizing symptoms and finding strategies to manage symptoms included the process of body listening in which patient seek and try different strategies to find what works for them and incorporate routines. Patients experienced positive effects of a warm or cold environment. Patients felt the need for practical and emotional support from others and preferred having credible information.
Patients perform adequate self-care including a diversity of self-care activities to get on with their lives and have strategies to reduce and control the symptoms and impact of RA.
Tailoring self-care support to patients' individual needs and preferences is necessary to help patients cope with the erratic nature of the disease and maintain their quality of life. Healthcare providers need to provide practical and emotional support and use credible information to allow patients to make self-care decisions to manage their lives.
Quantitative finding are reported according to the STROBE guidelines and qualitative finding are reported according to the COREQ guidelines.
Patients perform various self-care activities at an adequate level and have strategies to exert control and reduce symptoms. Patients primarily aim to continue their lives and not being seen as the person with rheumatoid arthritis. Healthcare professionals need to provide practical and emotional support and use credible information to inform patients' self-care decision-making.
No patient or public contribution.
To systemically identify and synthesize information on health professionals’ and students’ perceptions regarding the development needs of incident reporting software.
A systematic review of qualitative studies.
A database search was conducted using Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and Medic without time or language limits in February 2023.
A total of 4359 studies were identified. Qualitative studies concerning the perceptions of health professionals and students regarding the development needs of incident reporting software were included, based on screening and critical appraisal by two independent reviewers. A thematic synthesis was conducted.
From 10 included studies, five analytical themes were analysed. Health professionals and students desired the following improvements or changes to incident reporting software: (1) the design of reporting software, (2) the anonymity of reporting, (3) the accessibility of reporting software, (4) the classification of fields and answer options and (5) feedback and tracking of reports. Wanted features included suitable reporting forms for various specialized fields that could be integrated into existing hospital information systems. Rapid, user-friendly reporting software using multiple reporting platforms and with flexible fields and predefined answer options was preferred. While anonymous reporting was favoured, the idea of reporting serious incidents with both patient and reporter names was also suggested.
Health professionals and students provided concrete insights into the development needs for reporting software. Considering the underreporting of healthcare cases, the perspectives of healthcare professionals must be considered while developing user-friendly reporting tools. Reporting software that facilitates the reporting process could reduce underreporting.
The ENTREQ reporting guideline was used to support the reporting of this systematic review.
There was no patient or public contribution.
The protocol is registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews with register number CRD42023393804.
To explore perceptions and attitudes of African immigrants (Ghanaians, Nigerians, Liberians, and Sierra Leoneans) in the Baltimore-Washington, DC, metropolitan area toward cardiovascular health.
This was a qualitative study among African immigrants recruited from religious and community-based organizations in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. A purposive sample of 66 African immigrants originally from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone completed a sociodemographic survey and participated in focus group discussions. Focus group data were analysed using qualitative description to develop emergent themes.
A total of 66 African immigrants with a mean (±standard deviation) age of 51 (±11.8) years participated in the focus group discussions. Fifty percent were women, 91% had at least a bachelor's degree, 84% were employed, 80% had health insurance, and 75% were married/cohabitating. The majority of the participants (74%) had lived in the US for 10 years or more, 44% of them had hypertension, and 12% had diabetes. Findings from the focus group discussions revealed: gender differences in descriptions of cardiovascular health and healthiness, an emotional response associated with cardiovascular disease (evoking fear and anxiety and associated with family secrecy), positive and negative lifestyle changes after migration, cardiovascular screening behaviours, and facilitators and barriers to cardiovascular disease prevention practices and heart-healthy lifestyle.
Participants understood health to be a holistic state of well-being. Secrecy in disclosing their cardiovascular disease diagnoses informed by historical socio-cultural belief systems, perceived racial discrimination by healthcare providers, communication and health literacy barriers, economic barriers of holding multiple jobs and the exorbitant cost of heart-healthy foods were identified as some barriers to achieving optimal cardiovascular health in this immigrant population.
Our study expanded on the body of knowledge on African immigrants' perceptions and attitudes toward cardiovascular health. Addressing this knowledge gap will provide important intervention opportunities targeted at improving cardiovascular health outcomes in this population.
No patient or public contribution.