To assess the implementation feasibility and acceptability of a structured digital psychosocial communication tool (DIALOG+) to strengthen the quality of person-centric care in psychiatric settings within Pakistan and India.
A hybrid inductive and thematic qualitative analysis using individual interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs).
Two psychiatric hospitals (Karwan-e-Hayat and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre) in Karachi, Pakistan and one psychiatric care organisation (Schizophrenia Research Foundation) in Chennai, India
Interviews were conducted with 8 mental health clinicians and 40 patients who completed the DIALOG+ pilot as well as wider stakeholders, that is, 12 mental health clinical providers, 15 caregivers of people with psychosis and 13 mental health experts.
A technology-assisted communication tool (DIALOG+) to structure routine meetings and inform care planning, consisting of monthly sessions over a period of 3 months. The intervention comprises a self-reported assessment of patient satisfaction and quality of life on eight holistic life domains and three treatment domains, followed by a four-step solution-focused approach to address the concerns raised in chosen domains for help.
Key insights for the implementation feasibility and acceptability of DIALOG+ were assessed qualitatively using inductive thematic analysis of 22 IDIs and 8 FGDs with 54 individuals.
Clinicians and patients ascribed value to the efficiency and structure that DIALOG+ introduced to consultations but agreed it was challenging to adopt in busy outpatient settings. Appointment systems and selective criteria for who is offered DIALOG+ were recommended to better manage workload. Caregiver involvement in DIALOG+ delivery was strongly emphasised by family members, along with pictorial representation and relevant life domains by patients to enhance the acceptability of the DIALOG+ approach.
Findings highlight that the feasibility of implementing DIALOG+ in psychiatric care is closely tied to strategies that address clinician workload. Promoting institutional ownership in strengthening resource allocation is essential to reduce the burden on mental health professionals in order to enable them to provide more patient-centric and holistic care for people with psychosis. Further research is required to explore the appropriateness of including caregivers in DIALOG+ delivery to adapt to communal cultural attitudes in South Asia.
Despite the growth of the population of older people living with HIV (PLWH), data on cognitive disorders among older PLWH, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, are scarce. These data are especially underrepresented in the literature from eastern Europe and central Asia (EECA).
This scoping review aimed to describe the peer-reviewed literature on cognitive health among PLWH in the EECA region.
We selected articles from peer-reviewed journals that reported on cognitive assessments or the prevalence and characteristics of cognitive disorders among adult (≥18 years) PLWH in EECA countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan). Studies assessing cognition among PLWH related to traumatic brain injury, brain tumours, COVID-19, meningitis, neurosyphilis and/or other central nervous system infections were excluded.
We searched for relevant data published up to March 2025 using four online databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO).
Covidence, a web-based collaborative software platform, was used for data screening and extraction. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and full texts, resolving disagreements through consensus. The data were extracted based on the predefined data extraction criteria.
A total of 1388 peer-reviewed articles were identified; 295 articles were removed due to duplication; and 1053 and 25 articles were excluded based on the abstract/title and full-text screenings, respectively. Finally, 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. All 15 studies used different neuropsychological assessments to measure cognitive performance by domain and/or cognitive disorders among various subgroups of PLWH. One cross-sectional study focused on older populations (≥40 years old), using standardised cognitive performance assessment tests. However, it neither provided information about the prevalence estimate of cognitive disorders nor identified risk factors.
Existing literature on cognitive disorders among older PLWH in the EECA region is limited and insufficient to estimate prevalence, or identify risk factors, and ultimately develop appropriate policy addressing the needs of older PLWH in this region. This scoping review underscores the urgent need for large-scale, longitudinal studies employing standardised, culturally adapted neuropsychological batteries and adherence to rigorous reporting standards.
To describe primary care providers’ (PCPs) experience and satisfaction with receiving risk communication documents on their patient’s breast cancer (BC) risk assessment and proposed screening action plan.
Descriptive cross-sectional study.
A survey was distributed to all 763 PCPs linked to 1642 women participating in the Personalized Risk Assessment for Prevention and Early Detection of Breast Cancer: Integration and Implementation (PERSPECTIVE I&I) research project in Quebec, approximately 1–4 months after the delivery of the risk communication documents. The recruitment phase took place from July 2021 to July 2022.
PCPs.
Descriptive analyses were conducted to report participants’ experiences and satisfaction with receiving risk communication. Responses to two open-ended questions were subjected to content analysis.
A total of 168 PCPs answered the survey, from which 73% reported being women and 74% having more than 15 years of practice. Only 38% were familiar with the risk-based BC screening approach prior to receiving their patient risk category. A majority (86%) agreed with the screening approach and would recommend it to their patients if implemented at the population level. A majority of PCPs also reported understanding the information provided (92%) and expressed agreement with the proposed BC screening action plan (89%). Some PCPs recommended simplifying the materials, acknowledging the potential increase in workload and emphasising the need for careful planning of professional training efforts.
PCPs expressed positive attitudes towards a risk-based BC screening approach and were generally satisfied with the information provided. This study suggests that, if introduced in Canada in a manner similar to the PERSPECTIVE I&I project, risk-based BC screening would likely be supported by most PCPs. However, they emphasised the importance of addressing concerns such as professional training and the potential impact on workload if the approach were to be implemented at the population level. Future qualitative studies are needed to further explore the training needs of PCPs and to develop strategies for integrating this approach with the high workloads faced by PCPs.