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☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Protocol for an independent patient data meta-analysis of prophylactic mesh placement for incisional hernia prevention after abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery: a collaborative European Hernia Society project (I-PREVENT-AAA)

Por: van den Berg · R. · den Hartog · F. P. J. · Bali · C. · Matsagkas · M. · Bevis · P. M. · Earnshaw · J. J. · Debus · E. S. · Honig · S. · Berrevoet · F. · Detry · O. · Stabilini · C. · Muysoms · F. · Tanis · P. J. · European Hernia Society Prophylactic mesh study group collaborato — Abril 16th 2024 at 18:01
Introduction

Incisional hernia (IH) is a prevalent and potentially dangerous complication of abdominal surgery, especially in high-risk groups. Mesh reinforcement of the abdominal wall has been studied as a potential intervention to prevent IHs. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that prophylactic mesh reinforcement after abdominal surgery, in general, is effective and safe. In patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), prophylactic mesh reinforcement after open repair has not yet been recommended in official guidelines, because of relatively small sample sizes in individual trials. Furthermore, the identification of subgroups that benefit most from prophylactic mesh placement requires larger patient numbers. Our primary aim is to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of the use of a prophylactic mesh after open AAA surgery to prevent IH by performing an individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA). Secondary aims include the evaluation of postoperative complications, pain and quality of life, and the identification of potential subgroups that benefit most from prophylactic mesh reinforcement.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a systematic review to identify RCTs that study prophylactic mesh placement after open AAA surgery. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE Ovid, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection and Google Scholar will be searched from the date of inception onwards. RCTs must directly compare primary sutured closure with mesh closure in adult patients who undergo open AAA surgery. Lead authors of eligible studies will be asked to share individual participant data (IPD). The risk of bias (ROB) for each included study will be assessed using the Cochrane ROB tool. An IPDMA will be performed to evaluate the efficacy, with the IH rate as the primary outcome. Any signs of heterogeneity will be evaluated by Forest plots. Time-to-event analyses are performed using Cox regression analysis to evaluate risk factors.

Ethics and dissemination

No new data will be collected in this study. We will adhere to institutional, national and international regulations regarding the secure and confidential sharing of IPD, addressing ethics as indicated. We will disseminate findings via international conferences, open-source publications in peer-reviewed journals and summaries posted online.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022347881.

☐ ☆ ✇ International Wound Journal

The role of orthobiologics in chronic wound healing

Abstract

Chronic wounds, characterized by prolonged healing processes, pose a significant medical challenge with multifaceted aetiologies, including local and systemic factors. Here, it explores the complex pathogenesis of chronic wounds, emphasizing the disruption in the normal phases of wound healing, particularly the inflammatory phase, leading to an imbalance in extracellular matrix (ECM) dynamics and persistent inflammation. Senescent cell populations further contribute to impaired wound healing in chronic lesions. Traditional medical management focuses on addressing underlying causes, but many chronic wounds resist to conventional treatments, necessitating innovative approaches. Recent attention has turned to autologous orthobiologics, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as potential regenerative interventions. These biologically derived materials, including bone marrow aspirate/concentrate (BMA/BMAC) and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs), exhibit promising cytokine content and regenerative potential. MSCs, in particular, have emerged as key players in wound healing, influencing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration. This paper reviews relevant scientific literature regarding basic science and brings real-world evidence regarding the use of orthobiologics in the treatment of chronic wounds, irrespective of aetiology. The discussion highlights the regenerative properties of PRP, PRF, BMA, BMAC and SVF, showcasing their potential to enhance wound healing. Despite advancements, further research is essential to elucidate the specific roles of each orthobiologic and determine optimal applications for different wound types. The conclusion underscores the evolving landscape in chronic wound management, with a call for more comprehensive studies to refine treatment strategies and maximize the benefits of regenerative medicine.

☐ ☆ ✇ International Wound Journal

A purified reconstituted bilayer matrix shows improved outcomes in treatment of non‐healing diabetic foot ulcers when compared to the standard of care: Final results and analysis of a prospective, randomized, controlled, multi‐centre clinical trial

Abstract

As the incidence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) increases, better treatments that improve healing should reduce complications of these ulcers including infections and amputations. We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing outcomes between a novel purified reconstituted bilayer membrane (PRBM) to the standard of care (SOC) in the treatment of non-healing DFUs. This study included 105 patients who were randomized to either of two treatment groups (n = 54 PRBM; n = 51 SOC) in the intent to treat (ITT) group and 80 who completed the study per protocol (PP) (n = 47 PRBM; n = 33 SOC). The primary endpoint was the percentage of wounds closed after 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included percent area reduction, time to healing, quality of life, and cost to closure. The DFUs that had been treated with PRBM healed at a higher rate than those treated with SOC (ITT: 83% vs. 45%, p = 0.00004, PP: 92% vs. 67%, p = 0.005). Wounds treated with PRBM also healed significantly faster than those treated with SOC with a mean of 42 versus 62 days for SOC (p = 0.00074) and achieved a mean wound area reduction within 12 weeks of 94% versus 51% for SOC (p = 0.0023). There were no adverse events or serious adverse events that were related to either the PRBM or the SOC. In comparison to the SOC, DFUs healed faster when treated with PRBM. Thus, the use of this PRBM is an effective option for the treatment of chronic DFUs.

☐ ☆ ✇ Journal of Advanced Nursing

Predictors of fall protection motivation among older adults in rural communities in a middle‐income country: A cross‐sectional study using the Protection Motivation Theory

Abstract

Aims

To evaluate factors associated with fall protection motivation to engage in fall preventive behaviour among rural community-dwelling older adults aged 55 and above using the protection motivation theory scale.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

The study was conducted in a healthcare clinic in Malaysia, using multistage random sampling from November 2021 to January 2022. Three hundred seventy-five older adults aged 55 and older were included in the final analysis. There were 31 items in the final PMT scale. The analysis was performed within the whole population and grouped into ‘faller’ and ‘non-faller’, employing IBM SPSS version 26.0 for descriptive, independent t-test, chi-square, bivariate correlation and linear regressions.

Results

A total of 375 older participants were included in the study. Fallers (n = 82) and non-fallers (n = 293) show statistically significant differences in the characteristics of ethnicity, assistive device users, self-rating of intention and participation in previous fall prevention programmes. The multiple linear regression model revealed fear, coping appraisal and an interaction effect of fear with coping appraisal predicting fall protection motivation among older adults in rural communities.

Conclusion

Findings from this study demonstrated that coping appraisal and fear predict the protection motivation of older adults in rural communities. Older adults without a history of falls and attaining higher education had better responses in coping appraisal, contributing to a reduction in perceived rewards and improving protection motivation. Conversely, older adults from lower education backgrounds tend to have higher non-preventive behaviours, leading to a decline in fall protection motivation.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care

These results contribute important information to nurses working with older adults with inadequate health literacy in rural communities, especially when planning and designing fall prevention interventions. The findings would benefit all nurses, healthcare providers, researchers and academicians who provide care for older adults.

Patient or Public Contribution

Participants were briefed about the study, and their consent was obtained. They were only required to answer the questionnaire through interviews. Older individuals aged fifty-five and above in rural communities at the healthcare clinic who could read, write or understand Malay or English were included. Those who were suffering from mental health problems and refused to participate in the study were excluded from the study. Their personal information remained classified and not recorded in the database during the data entry or analysis.

☐ ☆ ✇ PLOS ONE Medicine&Health

Robustness of radiomic features in <sup>123</sup>I-ioflupane-dopamine transporter single-photon emission computer tomography scan

Por: Viktor Laskov · David Rothbauer · Hana Malikova — Abril 11th 2024 at 16:00

by Viktor Laskov, David Rothbauer, Hana Malikova

Radiomic features are usually used to predict target variables such as the absence or presence of a disease, treatment response, or time to symptom progression. One of the potential clinical applications is in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Robust radiomic features for this specific imaging method have not yet been identified, which is necessary for proper feature selection. Thus, we are assessing the robustness of radiomic features in dopamine transporter imaging (DaT). For this study, we made an anthropomorphic head phantom with tissue heterogeneity using a personal 3D printer (polylactide 82% infill); the bone was subsequently reproduced with plaster. A surgical cotton ball with radiotracer (123I-ioflupane) was inserted. Scans were performed on the two-detector hybrid camera with acquisition parameters corresponding to international guidelines for DaT single photon emission tomography (SPECT). Reconstruction of SPECT was performed on a clinical workstation with iterative algorithms. Open-source LifeX software was used to extract 134 radiomic features. Statistical analysis was made in RStudio using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (COV). Overall, radiomic features in different reconstruction parameters showed a moderate reproducibility rate (ICC = 0.636, p 0.9, p
☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Further development and validation of the Multimorbidity Treatment Burden Questionnaire (MTBQ)

Por: Duncan · P. · Scott · L. J. · Dawson · S. · Munas · M. · Pyne · Y. · Chaplin · K. · Gaunt · D. · Guenette · L. · Salisbury · C. — Abril 11th 2024 at 04:41
Objectives

To undertake further psychometric testing of the Multimorbidity Treatment Burden Questionnaire (MTBQ) and examine whether reversing the scale reduced floor effects.

Design

Survey.

Setting

UK primary care.

Participants

Adults (≥18 years) with three or more long-term conditions randomly selected from four general practices and invited by post.

Measures

Baseline survey: sociodemographics, MTBQ (original or version with scale reversed), Treatment Burden Questionnaire (TBQ), four questions (from QQ-10) on ease of completing the questionnaires. Follow-up survey (1–4 weeks after baseline): MTBQ, TBQ and QQ-10. Anonymous data collected from electronic GP records: consultations (preceding 12 months) and long-term conditions. The proportion of missing data and distribution of responses were examined for the original and reversed versions of the MTBQ and the TBQ. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman’s rank correlation (Rs) assessed test–retest reliability and construct validity, respectively. Ease of completing the MTBQ and TBQ was compared. Interpretability was assessed by grouping global MTBQ scores into 0 and tertiles (>0).

Results

244 adults completed the baseline survey (consent rate 31%, mean age 70 years) and 225 completed the follow-up survey. Reversing the scale did not reduce floor effects or data skewness. The global MTBQ scores had good test–retest reliability (ICC for agreement at baseline and follow-up 0.765, 95% CI 0.702 to 0.816). Global MTBQ score was correlated with global TBQ score (Rs 0.77, ps 0.17, p=0.010), and number of different general practitioners consulted (Rs 0.23, ps –0.063, p=0.330). Most participants agreed that both the MTBQ and TBQ were easy to complete and included aspects they were concerned about.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates test–retest reliability and ease of completion of the MTBQ and builds on a previous study demonstrating good content validity, construct validity and internal consistency reliability of the questionnaire.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Protocol for the Adolescent Menstrual Experiences and Health Cohort (AMEHC) Study in Khulna, Bangladesh: A Prospective cohort to quantify the influence of menstrual health on adolescent girls health and education outcomes.

Por: Hennegan · J. · Hasan · M. T. · Jabbar · A. · Jalil · T. · Kennedy · E. · Hunter · E. · Kaiser · A. · Akter · S. · Zaman · A. · Rahman · M.-u. · Dunstan · L. · Head · A. · Scott · N. · Weiss · H. A. · Win · T. M. · Melendez-Torres · G. J. · Than · K. K. · Hughes · C. L. · Grover · S. · Hasan — Abril 11th 2024 at 04:41
Background

Menstrual health is essential for gender equity and the well-being of women and girls. Qualitative research has described the burden of poor menstrual health on health and education; however, these impacts have not been quantified, curtailing investment. The Adolescent Menstrual Experiences and Health Cohort (AMEHC) Study aims to describe menstrual health and its trajectories across adolescence, and quantify the relationships between menstrual health and girls’ health and education in Khulna, Bangladesh.

Methods and analysis

AMEHC is a prospective longitudinal cohort of 2016 adolescent girls recruited at the commencement of class 6 (secondary school, mean age=12) across 101 schools selected through a proportional random sampling approach. Each year, the cohort will be asked to complete a survey capturing (1) girls’ menstrual health and experiences, (2) support for menstrual health, and (3) health and education outcomes. Survey questions were refined through qualitative research, cognitive interviews and pilot survey in the year preceding the cohort. Girls’ guardians will be surveyed at baseline and wave 2 to capture their perspectives and household demographics. Annual assessments will capture schools’ water, sanitation and hygiene, and support for menstruation and collect data on participants’ education, including school attendance and performance (in maths, literacy). Cohort enrolment and baseline survey commenced in February 2023. Follow-up waves are scheduled for 2024, 2025 and 2026, with plans for extension. A nested subcohort will follow 406 post-menarche girls at 2-month intervals throughout 2023 (May, August, October) to describe changes across menstrual periods. This protocol outlines a priori hypotheses regarding the impacts of menstrual health to be tested through the cohort.

Ethics and dissemination

AMEHC has ethical approval from the Alfred Hospital Ethics Committee (369/22) and BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health Institutional Review Board (IRB-06 July 22-024). Study materials and outputs will be available open access through peer-reviewed publication and study web pages.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Multifaceted pharmacist-led interventions in secondary care settings between countries of various income levels: a scoping review protocol

Por: Tharmalinga Sharma · J. J. · McMillan · S. S. · Samaranayake · N. R. · Waas · D. A. · Coombes · I. D. · Wheeler · A. J. — Abril 10th 2024 at 03:18
Introduction

Clinical pharmacy services often involve multifaceted pharmacist-led interventions. However, current pharmacy practice models vary across different countries. Despite the documented benefits of clinical pharmacy services, the characteristics of pharmacist-led interventions in different countries have not yet been adequately explored and described. Therefore, this protocol outlines the methodology for a proposed scoping review aiming to investigate various types of multifaceted pharmacist-led interventions and the outcomes used to evaluate their effectiveness within secondary care settings. Additionally, the scoping review will map the current evidence surrounding the characteristics of interventions and outcomes reported across various countries of socioeconomic status.

Methods and analysis

The scoping review will be conducted according to the JBI Methodology for Scoping Reviews and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews. We will systematically search the following electronic databases: MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EbscoHost), Embase (embase.com), Scopus (scopus.com), Cochrane Library (cochranelibrary.com) and APA PsycInfo (Ovid). Additionally, the reference lists of identified reviews and included full texts will be searched for relevant papers. Grey literature sources, such as International Pharmaceutical Abstracts and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) website, will be searched. We will include primary studies published in the English language from January 2013 to December 2023, involving secondary care multifaceted pharmacist-led interventions. Two independent reviewers will screen studies against eligibility criteria and use a piloted data extraction form to extract relevant information. We will extract relevant data, complete a tabular summary from each included publication and analyse it.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required as we will be using data from publicly available literature sources. Findings will be disseminated in publications and presentations with relevant stakeholders. We aim to map available evidence across the breadth of studies that have reported multifaceted pharmacist-led interventions and their outcomes.

☐ ☆ ✇ Cultura de los cuidados

Cronicidad: significado construido por los cuidadores y las personas cuidadas

Introducción: Las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles van en aumento, ocasionando discapacidad y dependencia en quien la padece, así como la necesidad de un cuidador. La cronicidad es un concepto que se ha analizado desde la mirada de la persona que la padece, dejando un vacío en la comprensión del significado para el cuidador. Objetivo: Comprender el significado de la cronicidad para las personas con Enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles y sus cuidadores informales. Materiales y métodos: Investigación cualitativa fenomenológica-hermenéutica según la propuesta de Van Manen, muestreo casual orientado por criterio, participaron 10 personas enfermas y 9 cuidadores. Los criterios de rigor de credibilidad y confirmabilidad, confiabilidad y la transferibilidad, garantizaron la calidad del estudio. Resultados: emergieron los siguientes temas: brindar y recibir cuidado como un acto de amor; unión de la familia; enfrentarse a la dureza; recibir, brindar y buscar apoyo; estar pendiente; cambio de vida; proceso de aprendizaje; una compañía para toda la vida; imponer restricciones, limitaciones y pérdidas. Conclusiones: el significado de la cronicidad para los cuidadores y las personas enfermas es complejo, dinámico y multidimensional; por lo tanto, es necesario realizar intervenciones que ayuden a mitigar el impacto que esta produce en la vida de este binomio.

☐ ☆ ✇ Cultura de los cuidados

Experiencias de las enfermeras en primera línea contagiadas con COVID-19 que recibieron atención domiciliaria

Introducción: Las enfermeras han brindado cuidados a los pacientes con COVID-19, y muchas tuvieron que lidiar con este virus al ser infectadas. Objetivo: Describir las experiencias de las enfermeras en primera línea contagiadas con COVID-19 que recibieron atención domiciliaria. Método: Investigación cualitativa descriptiva, el tamaño de la muestra fue con 12 enfermeras infectadas con COVID-19 que recibieron tratamiento domiciliario en Chiclayo, Perú. El muestreo fue por la técnica de bola de nieve. Para recolectar los datos se utilizó la entrevista semiestructurada a través de los medios virtuales previo consentimiento informado. Resultados: Surgieron tres categorías: a) Incertidumbre ante modo de contagio, medios de diagnóstico, sintomatología y evolución por la COVID-19, b) Cuidados recuperativos en el hogar: tratamiento médico, uso de medicina tradicional y medidas de bioseguridad, y c) Impacto en la vida familiar, laboral, social, emocional y espiritual al sufrir de la COVID-19. Conclusiones: Las enfermeras presentaron síntomas leves de la COVID-19 y se recuperaron en su domicilio, cumplieron con el tratamiento médico, algunas usaron remedios caseros. Practicaron estrictamente las medidas de bioseguridad para evitar que su familia se contagie. Utilizaron la tecnología digital y reforzaron su fe para afrontar el impacto familiar, emocional y social.

☐ ☆ ✇ Cultura de los cuidados

La psiquiatría del primer franquismo: una historia del olvido de la salud mental

Por: Noelia Valiño Vázquez — Abril 10th 2024 at 00:00

En esta investigación presentamos una aproximación al cambio de mentalidad respecto a la enfermedad mental propugnada desde las obras de psiquiatras del primer franquismo como Antonio Vallejo-Nágera o Juan José López Ibor. Sus ideas, publicaciones e investigaciones ofrecieron al régimen la posibilidad de modificar las listas de internos e internas de las instituciones psiquiátricas del momento, cuyas camas comenzaron a ser ocupadas por personas procedentes de las cárceles, los hospitales militares o las calles, con el fin de someterlas a tratamientos y medicaciones para modificar unos comportamientos y actitudes señaladas por el saber psiquiátrico franquista como apartadas de lo “correcto” y “normal”.

☐ ☆ ✇ Cultura de los cuidados

Necesidades de cuidado en la persona consumidora de alcohol en un contexto hospitalario

Introducción: El consumo de alcohol es considerado uno de los transcendentales factores de riesgo de discapacidad y muerte prematura. Develar el sentido de la experiencia de la persona consumidora de alcohol en cuanto a las necesidades de cuidado en el contexto hospitalario e incentiva que enfermería brinde un cuidado humano. Objetivo: Comprender las necesidades de cuidado de una persona consumidora de alcohol durante la estancia hospitalaria. Método: Investigación cualitativa fenomenológica. Muestreo por conveniencia, participaron 07 hombres y 02 mujeres que consumen alcohol e ingresaron al hospital. Para recolectar los datos se utilizó una entrevista fenomenológica, previo consentimiento informado. El análisis se realizó mediante el círculo hermenéutico de Martin Heidegger. Resultados: Fueron develadas cinco categorías: 1) Necesidades físicas ante deterioro corporal, 2) Necesidades emocionales y de apoyo con traspaso de energía para vivir, 3) Necesidades de confort humano dentro de la hospitalización, 4) Agradecimiento verbalizado y escrito ante acompañamiento y preocupación, 5) Anhelos de ser cuidado como persona. Conclusiones: Enfermería se encuentra con un ser vulnerable que muestra necesidades físicas debilitadas, necesidades emocionales que requieren apoyo y confort humano, un ser que anhela y agradece al ser enfermera.

☐ ☆ ✇ Journal of Advanced Nursing

Transforming outcome expectations into retention among hospital nurses: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Aim

To examine the main effects and interaction effects of outcome expectations (e.g., anticipated satisfactory salary and benefits), nurse identity (a sense of membership in the nursing profession), and information-access efficiency of the electronic medical record system (how the system enables nurses to quickly retrieve the needed information) on nurses' retention.

Design

This study uses a cross-sectional survey and adopts proportionate random sampling to recruit a representative sample of nurses of a medical centre in Taiwan.

Methods

This study successfully obtained completed questionnaires from 430 nurses during December 2021 to January 2022. Data are analysed by using hierarchical regressions.

Results

Positive outcome expectations and identification as a member in the nursing profession are associated with retention. Information-access efficiency strengthens the link between outcome expectations and retention, while nurse identity weakens this link.

Conclusion

Outcome expectations can help retain nurses, particularly those who perceive high levels of information-access efficiency and possess weak nurse identity. That is, outcome expectations have a complementary role with nurse identity in retaining nurses.

Implications for the Profession

Nurse managers should devise means to build positive outcome expectations for nurses. In addition, either strengthening nurses' identification with the nursing profession or improving the information-access efficiency of the electronic medical system may also help retain nurses.

Impact

This study examined how to transform outcome expectation to nurse retention, offering nurse managers to devise new means to retain nurses.

Reporting Method

STROBE statement was chosen as EQUATOR checklist.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

☐ ☆ ✇ Journal of Advanced Nursing

Development of a competency framework for advanced practice nurses: A co‐design process

Abstract

Aims

The aim of the study was to develop a comprehensive competency framework for advanced practice nurses in Belgium.

Design

A co-design development process was conducted.

Methods

This study consisted of two consecutive stages (November 2020–December 2021): (1) developing a competency framework for advanced practice nurses in Belgium by the research team, based on literature and (2) group discussions or interviews with and written feedback from key stakeholders. 11 group discussions and seven individual interviews were conducted with various stakeholder groups with a total of 117 participants.

Results

A comprehensive competency framework containing 31 key competencies and 120 enabling competencies was developed based on the Canadian Medical Education Directions for Specialists Competency Framework. These competencies were grouped into seven roles: clinical expert and therapist, organizer of quality care and leader in innovation, professional and clinical leader, collaborator, researcher, communicator and health promoter.

Conclusion

The developed competency framework has resemblance to other international frameworks. This framework emphasized the independent role of the advanced practice nurse and provided guidance in a clear task division and delegation to other professionals. It can provide a solid foundation for delivering high-quality, patient-centred care by advanced practice nurses in the years to come.

Implications for the profession

This competency framework can guide further development of advanced practice nursing education in Belgium and represents a starting point for future evaluation of its feasibility and usability in education and clinical practice. Advanced practice nurses and healthcare managers can also use the framework as an instrument for personal and professional development, performance appraisal, and further alignment of these function profiles in clinical practice. Finally, this framework can inform and guide policymakers towards legal recognition of advanced practice nursing in Belgium and inspire the development of advanced practice nursing profiles in countries where these profiles are still emerging.

Impact

What problem did the study address? The absence of a detailed competency framework for advanced practice nurses complicates legal recognition, role clarification and implementation in practice in Belgium. A rigorously developed competency framework could clarify which competencies to integrate in future advanced practice nursing education, mentorship programs and practice.

What were the main findings? The competency framework outlined seven roles for advanced practice nurses: clinical expert and therapist, organizer of quality care and leader in innovation, professional and clinical leader, collaborator, researcher, communicator, and health promoter. Differentiation from other expert nursing profiles and clinical autonomy of advanced practice nurses were pivotal.

Where and on whom will the research have impact? The comprehensive competency framework for advanced practice nurses and the collaborative methodology used can inspire other countries where these profiles are still emerging. The competency framework can be used as an instrument for role clarification, performance appraisals, continuous professional development, and professional (e-)portfolios. The competency framework can guide policymakers when establishing Belgian’s legal framework for advanced practice nurses.

Reporting method

The authors have adhered to CONFERD-HP: recommendations for reporting COmpeteNcy FramEwoRk Development in health professions.

Patient or public contribution

No patient or public contribution in the design of the study. A patient advisory panel commented on the developed competency framework.

☐ ☆ ✇ Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing

A scoping review of the role of policy in mitigating childhood obesity in underserved populations using the RE‐AIM framework

Abstract

Background

Childhood obesity is an escalating crisis in the United States. Health policy may impact this epidemic which disproportionally affects underserved populations.

Aim

The aim was to use the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) framework to assess health policy impact on preventing or treating school-aged children (5 > 18 years) with obesity in underserved populations.

Methods

A scoping review of 842 articles was conducted. Twenty-four articles met the inclusion criteria and underwent data extraction.

Results

Twelve studies included subgroup analysis, with four suggesting an impact of policy on at-risk groups. None of the 24 studies fully applied the RE-AIM framework. Policies positively impacted childhood obesity in 12 studies across the sample.

Linking Evidence to Action

Our review revealed inconsistent evidence for the effectiveness of policy on childhood obesity, perhaps due to the lack of focus on the social determinants of health. In addition, many studies did not evaluate the outcomes for underserved populations. Therefore, we propose more attention to social determinants in future legislation and evaluation of policy effectiveness on underserved populations. Findings identify an urgent need for the design, implementation, and evaluation of policies specifically directed to address the inequities of racism, social injustices, and social determinants of health that impact childhood obesity in the United States. Future work needs to identify who was reached by the policy, who benefitted from the policy, and how policies were implemented to address obesity-related health disparities. Nurses should advocate for the evaluation of childhood obesity policies, particularly in underserved populations, to determine effectiveness. Nurses, particularly those trained in population and community health and research, should advocate for policy research that considers inequities rather than controls for these variables. Multi-layered interventions can then be tailored to sub-populations and evaluated more effectively.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Hepatopancreaticobiliary Resection Arginine Immunomodulation (PRIMe) trial: protocol for a randomised phase II trial of the impact of perioperative immunomodulation on immune function following resection for hepatopancreaticobiliary malignancy

Por: Behman · R. · Auer · R. C. · Bubis · L. · Xu · G. · Coburn · N. G. · Martel · G. · Hallet · J. · Balaa · F. · Law · C. · Bertens · K. A. · Abou Khalil · J. · Karanicolas · P. J. — Abril 5th 2024 at 09:09
Introduction

Surgical stress results in immune dysfunction, predisposing patients to infections in the postoperative period and potentially increasing the risk of cancer recurrence. Perioperative immunonutrition with arginine-enhanced diets has been found to potentially improve short-term and cancer outcomes. This study seeks to measure the impact of perioperative immunomodulation on biomarkers of the immune response and perioperative outcomes following hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery.

Methods and analysis

This is a 1:1:1 randomised, controlled and blinded superiority trial of 45 patients. Baseline and perioperative variables were collected to evaluate immune function, clinical outcomes and feasibility outcomes. The primary outcome is a reduction in natural killer cell killing as measured on postoperative day 1 compared with baseline between the control and experimental cohorts.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial has been approved by the research ethics boards at participating sites and Health Canada (parent control number: 223646). Results will be distributed widely through local and international meetings, presentation, publication and ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT04549662). Any modifications to the protocol will be communicated via publications and ClinicalTrials.gov.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04549662.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Understanding the language barriers to translating informed consent documents for maternal health trials in Zambia: a qualitative study

Por: Beardmore-Gray · A. · Simwinga · M. · Vwalika · B. · Chinkoyo · S. · Chappell · L. · Sandall · J. · Shennan · A. — Abril 5th 2024 at 09:09
Objective

Providing comprehensible information is essential to the process of valid informed consent. Recruitment materials designed by sponsoring institutions in English-speaking, high-income countries are commonly translated for use in global health studies in other countries; however, key concepts are often missed, misunderstood or ‘lost in translation’. The aim of this study was to explore the language barriers to informed consent, focusing on the challenges of translating recruitment materials for maternal health studies into Zambian languages.

Design

We used a qualitative approach, which incorporated a multistakeholder workshop (11 participants), in-depth interviews with researchers and translators (8 participants) and two community-based focus groups with volunteers from community advisory boards (20 participants). Content analysis was used to identify terms commonly occurring in recruitment materials prior to the workshop. The framework analysis approach was used to analyse interview data, and a simple inductive thematic analysis approach was used to analyse focus group data.

Setting

The study was based in Lusaka, Zambia.

Results

The workshop highlighted difficulties in translating research terms and pregnancy-specific terms, as well as widespread concern that current templates are too long, use overly formal language and are designed with little input from local teams. Framework analysis of in-depth interviews identified barriers to participant understanding relating to design and development of recruitment materials, language, local context and communication styles. Focus group participants confirmed these findings and suggested potential solutions to ensure the language and content of recruitment materials can be better understood.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that the way in which recruitment materials are currently designed, translated and disseminated may not enable potential trial participants to fully understand the information provided. Instead of using overly complex institutional templates, recruitment materials should be created through an iterative and interactive process that provides truly comprehensible information in a format appropriate for its intended participants.

☐ ☆ ✇ Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing

Consensus on the definition and attributes of person‐centered teamwork: An e‐Delphi study

Por: Alida Viljoen · Ronell Leech · Paul Slater · Tanya Heyns — Abril 5th 2024 at 06:24

Abstract

Background

Effective health care relies on person-centeredness and teamwork, which are known to improve outcomes. These two concepts have been defined individually, but we could not find a definition of the combined concept. A preliminary definition was developed through a concept analysis; however, consensus on the concept has not been reached.

Aim

The aim of this study was to reach consensus on the definition and attributes of person-centered teamwork.

Methods

A consensus design allowed experts to collaborate and share their experience and wisdom to refine and reach consensus on the definition and attributes of person-centered teamwork. An e-Delphi was used to engage the experts.

Results

Three rounds of online engagement with 12 experts were needed to reach consensus on the definition and attributes of person-centered teamwork. The attributes reached consensus of 82% after the first round. The definition had 82% consensus after the three rounds. The definition had been adjusted and refined according to the expert input. The newly adjusted definition was established.

Linking Evidence to Action

We successfully used the e-Delphi method to obtain consensus on the attributes and definition of person-centered teamwork. The definition of person-centered teamwork can be further developed and included in clinical practice to guide improved clinical outcomes. The consensus definition of person-centered teamwork provides a clear understanding of the meaning thereof, which may in turn enrich the usability thereof in clinical practice. Person-centered teams improve outcomes for persons receiving care in hospitals. Building person-centered teams are now better understood and the foundation of building these teams defined. We engaged with 12 experts in the academic and clinical field of person-centeredness and teamwork. The use and value of the Delphi method to obtain consensus is now better understood and can assist future research development.

☐ ☆ ✇ International Wound Journal

Identification of IGF2 promotes skin wound healing by co‐expression analysis

Por: Xingyan Liu · Ying Teng · Huan Li · Ding Luo · Hongkun Li · Jinghan Shen · Simin Du · Yuyue Zhang · Dali Wang · Jie Jing — Abril 4th 2024 at 13:35

Abstract

Oral mucosa is an ideal model for studying scarless wound healing. Researchers have shown that the key factors which promote scarless wound healing already exist in basal state of oral mucosa. Thus, to identify the other potential factors in basal state of oral mucosa will benefit to skin wound healing. In this study, we identified eight gene modules enriched in wound healing stages of human skin and oral mucosa through co-expression analysis, among which the module M8 was only module enriched in basal state of oral mucosa, indicating that the genes in module M8 may have key factors mediating scarless wound healing. Through bioinformatic analysis of genes in module M8, we found IGF2 may be the key factor mediating scarless wound healing of oral mucosa. Then, we purified IGF2 protein by prokaryotic expression, and we found that IGF2 could promote the proliferation and migration of HaCaT cells. Moreover, IGF2 promoted wound re-epithelialization and accelerated wound healing in a full-thickness skin wound model. Our findings identified IGF2 as a factor to promote skin wound healing which provide a potential target for wound healing therapy in clinic.

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