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Evidence for clinician underprescription of and patient non-adherence to guideline-recommended cardiovascular medications among adults with peripheral artery disease: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Por: de Launay · D. · Paquet · M. · Kirkham · A. M. · Graham · I. D. · Fergusson · D. A. · Nagpal · S. K. · Shorr · R. · Grimshaw · J. M. · Roberts · D. J.
Introduction

International guidelines recommend that adults with peripheral artery disease (PAD) be prescribed antiplatelet, statin and antihypertensive medications. However, it is unclear how often people with PAD are underprescribed these drugs, which characteristics predict clinician underprescription of and patient non-adherence to guideline-recommended cardiovascular medications, and whether underprescription and non-adherence are associated with adverse health and health system outcomes.

Methods and analysis

We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews from 2006 onwards. Two investigators will independently review abstracts and full-text studies. We will include studies that enrolled adults and reported the incidence and/or prevalence of clinician underprescription of or patient non-adherence to guideline-recommended cardiovascular medications among people with PAD; adjusted risk factors for underprescription of/non-adherence to these medications; and adjusted associations between underprescription/non-adherence to these medications and outcomes. Outcomes will include mortality, major adverse cardiac and limb events (including revascularisation procedures and amputations), other reported morbidities, healthcare resource use and costs. Two investigators will independently extract data and evaluate study risk of bias. We will calculate summary estimates of the incidence and prevalence of clinician underprescription/patient non-adherence across studies. We will also conduct subgroup meta-analyses and meta-regression to determine if estimates vary by country, characteristics of the patients and treating clinicians, population-based versus non-population-based design, and study risks of bias. Finally, we will calculate pooled adjusted risk factors for underprescription/non-adherence and adjusted associations between underprescription/non-adherence and outcomes. We will use Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation to determine estimate certainty.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required as we are studying published data. This systematic review will synthesise existing evidence regarding clinician underprescription of and patient non-adherence to guideline-recommended cardiovascular medications in adults with PAD. Results will be used to identify evidence-care gaps and inform where interventions may be required to improve clinician prescribing and patient adherence to prescribed medications.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022362801.

Co-creating a new Charter for equitable and inclusive co-creation: insights from an international forum of academic and lived experience experts

Por: Mulvale · G. · Moll · S. · Phoenix · M. · Buettgen · A. · Freeman · B. · Murray-Leung · L. · Micsinszki · S. K. · Mulalu · L. · Vrzovski · A. · Foisy · C.
Background

Co-creation approaches, such as co-design and co-production, aspire to power-sharing and collaboration between service providers and service users, recognising the specific insights each group can provide to improve health and other public services. However, an intentional focus on equity-based approaches grounded in lived experience and epistemic justice is required considering entrenched structural inequities between service-users and service-providers in public and institutional spaces where co-creation happens.

Objectives

This paper presents a Charter of tenets and principles to foster a new era of ‘Equity-based Co-Creation’ (EqCC).

Methods

The Charter is based on themes heard during an International Forum held in August 2022 in Ontario, Canada, where 48 lived experience experts and researchers were purposively invited to deliberate challenges and opportunities in advancing equity in the co-creation field.

Results

The Charter’s seven tenets—honouring worldviews, acknowledging ongoing and historical harms, operationalising inclusivity, establishing safer and brave spaces, valuing lived experiences, ‘being with’ and fostering trust, and cultivating an EqCC heartset/mindset—aim to promote intentional inclusion of participants with intersecting social positions and differing historic oppressions. This means honouring and foregrounding lived experiences of service users and communities experiencing ongoing structural oppression and socio-political alienation—Black, Indigenous and people of colour; disabled, Mad and Deaf communities, women, 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities, people perceived to be mentally ill and other minoritised groups—to address epistemic injustice in co-creation methodologies and practice, thereby providing opportunities to begin to dismantle intersecting systems of oppression and structural violence.

Conclusions

Each Charter tenet speaks to a multilayered, multidimensional process that is foundational to shifting paradigms about redesigning our health and social systems and changing our relational practices. Readers are encouraged to share their reactions to the Charter, their experiences implementing it in their own work, and to participate in a growing international EqCC community of practice.

Geographical variation in perceptions, attitudes and barriers to mental health care-seeking across the UK: a cross-sectional study

Por: Wang · R. A. H. · Smittenaar · P. · Thomas · T. · Kamal · Z. · Kemp · H. · Sgaier · S. K.
Objectives

To examine the relative importance of the drivers of mental health care-seeking intention and how these, along with intention itself, are geographically distributed across integrated care systems (ICS) and health boards (HBs) in the UK. Also, to examine the degree of acceptance of virtual modes of care.

Design

Community-based cross-sectional survey.

Participants and setting

A national online survey of 17 309 adults between August and September 2021 recruited via a research technology company, Lucid. Sample size quotas were set to ensure coverage across the UK and match population distributions for gender, age and ethnicity. After exclusions, 16 835 participants remained (54% female, 89% white).

Main outcome measures

Care-seeking intention, using a continuous measure of likelihood and a categorical measure of estimated time to seek professional help for a future mental health difficulty.

Results

20.5% (95% CI 19.8% to 21.2%) reported that they would significantly delay or never seek mental healthcare, ranging from 8.3% to 25.7% across ICS/HBs. Multilevel regression analysis showed mental health knowledge was the most predictive of care-seeking intention, followed by attitudes towards others with mental illness and a combination of stigma, negative attitudes to treatment and instrumental barriers to accessing care. The model explained 17% of the variance. There was substantial geographical variation in prevalence of preclinical symptoms of depression and anxiety, attitudes to mental health, and barriers to care, leading to complex ICS/HB profiles. Remote and self-guided therapies did not pose as a major barrier to care with more than half of respondents likely or very likely to use them.

Conclusions

Our locally relevant and actionable findings suggest possible interventions that may improve care-seeking intention and indicate which of these interventions need to be geographically tailored to have maximal effect.

Assessing the acceptability of, adherence to and preference for a dual prevention pill (DPP) for HIV and pregnancy prevention compared to oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and oral contraception taken separately: protocols for two randomised, controlle

Por: Friedland · B. A. · Mgodi · N. M. · Palanee-Phillips · T. · Mathur · S. · Plagianos · M. G. · Bruce · I. V. · Lansiaux · M. · Murombedzi · C. · Musara · P. · Dandadzi · A. · Reddy · K. · Ndlovu · N. · Zulu · S. K. · Shale · L. R. · Zieman · B. · Haddad · L. B.
Introduction

Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective HIV prevention method; however, uptake and persistence have been low among southern African women. A dual prevention pill (DPP) that combines PrEP with oral contraception (OC) may increase PrEP use and better meet women’s sexual and reproductive health needs. We will gauge the DPP’s acceptability in two cross-over clinical trials.

Methods and analysis

PC952 (Zimbabwe) and PC953 (South Africa) will compare acceptability, adherence and preference for an over-encapsulated DPP versus PrEP and OCs taken separately. HIV-negative, non-pregnant cisgender females in Johannesburg, South Africa (n=96, 16–40 years) and Harare, Zimbabwe (n=30, 16–24 years) will be randomised 1:1 to the order of regimens—DPP or two separate tablets—each used for three 28-day cycles, followed by a 6-month choice period in South Africa. Monthly clinic visits include HIV and pregnancy testing; safety assessments and risk reduction and adherence counselling. We will assess adherence (monthly) based on tenofovir diphosphate drug levels in dried blood spots and by self-report. We will evaluate acceptability (monthly) and preference (end of cross-over) via computer-assisted self-interviewing and in-depth interviews with a subset of participants. Data collection started in September 2022 and ended in January 2024.

Ethics and dissemination

PC952 was approved by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Medical Research Council, Research Council and Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe; the Chitungwiza City Health Ethics Committee; and the Joint Research Ethics Committee for the University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. PC953 was approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority and the University of the Witwatersrand’s Human Research Ethics Committee. The Population Council IRB approved both studies. We will disseminate results in open-access journals, clinical trials registries, and at local and international meetings and conferences.

Trial registration numbers

NCT04778514, NCT04778527.

Development of a supportive care framework for breast cancer survivor's unmet needs: A modified Delphi study

Abstract

Aim

To establish a supportive care framework for addressing unmet needs among breast cancer survivors, providing practical guidance for healthcare providers to assess and manage these needs, ultimately enhancing the health outcomes and quality of life of breast cancer survivors.

Design

We conducted a two-round Delphi survey to gather expert opinions regarding the unmet needs supportive care framework for breast cancer survivors.

Methods

Initial framework identification and inquiry questionnaire creation was achieved via literature search and expert group discussions, which included 15 experts from nursing practice, clinical medicine, nursing management and nursing education was conducted using a Delphi survey. To establish consensus, a two-round Delphi poll was done, using criteria based on the mean (≥4.0), coefficient of variation (CV < 0.25) and percentage for entire score (≥20%).

Results

Experts reached a consensus, leading to six care modules, and 28 care entries: Tumour Detection Support (three care entries), Management of Complications of Antitumor Therapy (seven care entries), Healthy Lifestyle Management (five care entries), Sexual and Fertility Support (four care entries), Psychosocial Support (four care entries) and Resource and Linkage Support (five care entries).

Conclusion

To address breast cancer survivors' unmet needs, a supportive framework was developed to actively enhance their health outcomes. However, further refinement and feasibility testing using mobile devices or artificial intelligence are required.

Implications for the Profession and Patient Care

This pioneering framework prioritises addressing unmet needs and equips healthcare providers to assess and manage these needs effectively, facilitating the implementation of programs aimed at improving the well-being of breast cancer survivors.

Reporting Method

This study was guided by a modified guideline for the Conducting and Reporting of Delphi Studies (CREDES) (Palliative Medicine, 31(8), 684, 2017).

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.

Trial and protocol registration

The Delphi study methodology does not require registration.

Efficacy and safety of deferoxamine, deferasirox and deferiprone triple iron chelator combination therapy for transfusion-dependent {beta}-thalassaemia with very high iron overload: a protocol for randomised controlled clinical trial

Introduction

Despite the improvement in medical management, many patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia die prematurely due to transfusion-related iron overload. As per the current guidelines, the optimal chelation of iron cannot be achieved in many patients, even with two iron chelators at their maximum therapeutic doses. Here, we evaluate the efficacy and safety of triple combination treatment with deferoxamine, deferasirox and deferiprone over dual combination of deferoxamine and deferasirox on iron chelation in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia with very high iron overload.

Methods and analysis

This is a single-centre, open-label, randomised, controlled clinical trial conducted at the Adult and Adolescent Thalassaemia Centre of Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka. Patients with haematologically and genetically confirmed transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia are enrolled and randomised into intervention or control groups. The intervention arm will receive a combination of oral deferasirox, oral deferiprone and subcutaneous deferoxamine for 6 months. The control arm will receive the combination of oral deferasirox and subcutaneous deferoxamine for 6 months. Reduction in iron overload, as measured by a reduction in the serum ferritin after completion of the treatment, will be the primary outcome measure. Reduction in liver and cardiac iron content as measured by T2* MRI and the side effect profile of trial medications are the secondary outcome measures.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for the study has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya (Ref. P/06/02/2023). The trial results will be disseminated in scientific publications in reputed journals.

Trial registration number

The trial is registered in the Sri Lanka Clinical Trials Registry (Ref: SLCTR/2023/010).

Impact of a peer-support programme to improve loneliness and social isolation due to COVID-19: does adding a secure, user friendly video-conference solution work better than telephone support alone? Protocol for a three-arm randomised clinical trial

Por: Lee · J. S. · Rose · L. · Borgundvaag · B. · McLeod · S. L. · Melady · D. · Mohindra · R. · Sinha · S. K. · Wesson · V. · Wiesenfeld · L. · Kolker · S. · Kiss · A. · Lowthian · J.
Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the implementation of physical distancing and self-isolation strategies worldwide. However, these measures have significant potential to increase social isolation and loneliness. Among older people, loneliness has increased from 40% to 70% during COVID-19. Previous research indicates loneliness is strongly associated with increased mortality. Thus, strategies to mitigate the unintended consequences of social isolation and loneliness are urgently needed. Following the Obesity-Related Behavioural Intervention Trials model for complex behavioural interventions, we describe a protocol for a three-arm randomised clinical trial to reduce social isolation and loneliness.

Methods and analysis

A multicentre, outcome assessor blinded, three-arm randomised controlled trial comparing 12 weeks of: (1) the HOspitals WoRking in Unity (‘HOW R U?’) weekly volunteer-peer support telephone intervention; (2) ‘HOW R U?’ deliver using a video-conferencing solution and (3) a standard care group. The study will follow Consolidated Standard of Reporting Trials guidelines.

We will recruit 24–26 volunteers who will receive a previously tested half day lay-training session that emphasises a strength-based approach and safety procedures. We will recruit 141 participants ≥70 years of age discharged from two participating emergency departments or referred from hospital family medicine, geriatric or geriatric psychiatry clinics. Eligible participants will have probable baseline loneliness (score ≥2 on the de Jong six-item loneliness scale). We will measure change in loneliness, social isolation (Lubben social network scale), mood (Geriatric Depression Score) and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) at 12–14 weeks postintervention initiation and again at 24–26 weeks.

Ethics and dissemination

Approval has been granted by the participating research ethics boards. Participants randomised to standard care will be offered their choice of telephone or video-conferencing interventions after 12 weeks. Results will be disseminated through journal publications, conference presentations, social media and through the International Federation of Emergency Medicine.

Trial registration number

NCT05228782.

Biophysical and nutritional combination treatment for myosteatosis in patients with sarcopenia: a study protocol for single-blinded randomised controlled trial

Por: Li · M. C. M. · Cheng · Y. K. · Cui · C. · Chow · S. K. H. · Wong · R. M. Y. · Kwok · T. C. · Siu · P. M. · Yang · M. · Tian · M. · Rubin · C. · Welch · A. A. · Qin · L. · Law · S. W. · Cheung · W. H.
Introduction

Sarcopenia is characterised by age-related loss of skeletal muscle and function and is associated with risks of adverse outcomes. The prevalence of sarcopenia increases due to ageing population and effective interventions is in need. Previous studies showed that β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplement and vibration treatment (VT) enhanced muscle quality, while the coapplication of the two interventions had further improved muscle mass and function in sarcopenic mice model. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of this combination treatment in combating sarcopenia in older people. The findings of this study will demonstrate the effect of combination treatment as an alternative for managing sarcopenia.

Methods and analysis

In this single-blinded randomised controlled trial, subjects will be screened based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 definition. 200 subjects who are aged 65 or above and identified sarcopenic according to the AWGS algorithm will be recruited. They will be randomised to one of the following four groups: (1) Control+ONS; (2) HMB+ONS; (3) VT+ONS and (4) HMB+VT + ONS, where ONS stands for oral nutritional supplement. ONS will be taken in the form of protein formular once/day; HMB supplements will be 3 g/day; VT (35 Hz, 0.3 g, where g=gravitational acceleration) will be received for 20 mins/day and at least 3 days/week. The primary outcome assessments are muscle strength and function. Subjects will be assessed at baseline, 3-month and 6-month post treatment.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by Joint CUHK-NTEC (The Chinese University of Hong Kong and New Territories East Cluster) Clinical Research Management Office (Ref: CRE-2022.223-T) and conformed to the Declaration of Helsinki. Trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at academic conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT05525039.

Evaluation of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and minimal intervention associated with deproteinisation in permanent teeth with molar incisor hypomineralisation: study protocol for a clinical, controlled, blinded trial

Por: Mandetta · A. R. H. · Bortoletto · C. C. · Sobral · A. P. T. · Goncalves · M. L. L. · Motta · L. J. · Horliana · A. C. R. T. · Ferrari · R. A. M. · Prates · R. A. · Deana · A. M. · Cordeiro · R. d. C. L. · Pinto · L. A. M. d. S. · Fernandes · K. P. S. · Bussadori · S. K.
Introduction

Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) is a qualitative defect of enamel development that occurs in the mineralisation phase. MIH affects one or more permanent molars and, occasionally, permanent incisors. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the clinical effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on permanent teeth with MIH through decontamination and sensitivity control.

Methods and analysis

Patients from 8 to 12 years of age with permanent molars will be randomly allocated to three groups. Group 1: selective chemical–mechanical removal of carious dentinal tissue around the walls of the cavity with Papacárie Duo and a curette followed by the application of aPDT and deproteinisation with Papacárie Duo; group 2: selective removal of carious dentinal tissue around the walls of the cavity with a curette, followed by the application of aPDT and deproteinisation with a 5% sodium hypochlorite solution; group 3: selective removal of carious dentinal tissue using a curette. The selected teeth must have a carious lesion in the dentin and posteruptive enamel breakdown on one or more surfaces with an indication for clinical restorative treatment. The teeth will subsequently be restored using a mixed technique with resin-modified glass ionomer cement and bulk-fill composite resin. The data will be submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. Associations with age and sex will be tested using either the 2 test or Fisher’s exact test. Pearson’s correlation coefficients will be calculated to determine the strength of correlations between variables. Comparisons of the microbiological results (colony-forming units) will be performed using analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis will be performed to assess the performance of the restorations.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of Nove de Julho University (certificate number: 61027522.0.0000.5511/approval date: 23 August 2022). The findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NCT05443035.

Validation of maternal recall of number of antenatal care visits attended in rural Southern Nepal: a longitudinal cohort study

Por: Xie · X. · Munos · M. K. · Lama · T. P. · Bryce · E. · Khatry · S. K. · LeClerq · S. C. · Katz · J.
Objectives

This study aimed to examine the validity of maternal recall of total number of antenatal care (ANC) visits during pregnancy and factors associated with the accuracy of maternal recall.

Design

This was a longitudinal cohort study conducted from December 2018 through November 2020.

Setting

Five government health posts in the Sarlahi district of Southern Nepal.

Participants

402 pregnant women between ages 15 and 49 who presented for their first ANC visit at the study health posts.

Main outcomes

The observed number of ANC visits (gold standard) and the reported number of ANC visits at the postpartum interview (maternal recall).

Results

On average, women in the study who had a live birth attended 4.7 ANC visits. About 65% of them attended four or more ANC visits during pregnancy as recommended by the Nepal government, and 38.3% of maternal report matched the categorical ANC visits as observed by the gold standard. The individual validity was poor to moderate, with the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) being 0.69 (95% CI: 0.65 to 0.74) in the 1–3 visits group. Population-level bias (as distinct from individual-level bias) was observed in the 1–3 visits and 4 visits groups, where 1–3 visits were under-reported (inflation factor (IF): 0.69) and 4 ANC visits were highly over-reported (IF: 2.12). The binary indicator ANC4+ (1–3 visits vs 4+ visits) showed better population-level validity (AUC: 0.69; IF: 1.17) compared with the categorical indicators (1–3 visits, 4 visits, 5–6 visits and more than 6 visits). Report accuracy was not associated with maternal characteristics but was related to ANC frequency. Women who attended more ANC visits were less likely to correctly report their total number of visits.

Conclusion

Maternal report of number of ANC visits during pregnancy may not be a valid indicator for measuring ANC coverage. Improvements are needed to measure the frequency of ANC visits.

Factors associated with poor outcomes after congenital heart surgery in low-resource setting in Pakistan: insight from the IQIC Registry - a descriptive analysis

Por: Furnaz · S. · Shaikh · A. S. · Qureshi · R. · Fatima · S. · Bangash · S. K. · Karim · M. · Amanullah · M.
Objective

This study aimed to assess the International Quality Improvement Collaborative single-site data from a developing country to identify trends in outcomes and factors associated with poor outcomes.

Design

Retrospective descriptive study.

Setting

The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan.

Participants

Patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD).

Outcome measure

Key factors were examined, including preoperative, procedural and demographic data, as well as surgical complications and outcomes. We identified risk factors for mortality, bacterial sepsis and 30-day mortality using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 3367 CHD surgical cases were evaluated; of these, 59.4% (2001) were male and 82.8% (2787) were between the ages of 1 and 17 years. Only 0.2% (n=6) were infants (≤30 days) and 2.3% (n=77) were adults (≥18 years). The in-hospital mortality rate was 6.7% (n=224), and 4.4% (n=147) and 0.8% (n=27) had bacterial sepsis and surgical site infections, respectively. The 30-day status was known for 90.8% (n=3058) of the patients, of whom 91.6% (n=2800) were alive. On multivariable analysis, the adjusted OR for in-hospital mortality was 0.40 (0.29–0.56) for teenagers compared with infancy/childhood and 1.95 (1.45–2.61) for patients with oxygen saturation

Conclusions

We observed a high prevalence of postoperative infections and mortality, especially for high-risk procedures, according to RACHS-1 risk category, in infancy/childhood, in children with genetic syndrome or those with low oxygen saturation (

Burden, determinants, consequences and care of multimorbidity in rural and urbanising Telangana, India: protocol for a mixed-methods study within the APCAPS cohort

Por: Lieber · J. · Banjara · S. K. · Mallinson · P. A. C. · Mahajan · H. · Bhogadi · S. · Addanki · S. · Birk · N. · Song · W. · Shah · A. S. · Kurmi · O. · Iyer · G. · Kamalakannan · S. · Kishore Galla · R. · Sadanand · S. · Dasi · T. · Kulkarni · B. · Kinra · S.
Introduction

The epidemiological and demographic transitions are leading to a rising burden of multimorbidity (co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions) worldwide. Evidence on the burden, determinants, consequences and care of multimorbidity in rural and urbanising India is limited, partly due to a lack of longitudinal and objectively measured data on chronic health conditions. We will conduct a mixed-methods study nested in the prospective Andhra Pradesh Children and Parents’ Study (APCAPS) cohort to develop a data resource for understanding the epidemiology of multimorbidity in rural and urbanising India and developing interventions to improve the prevention and care of multimorbidity.

Methods and analysis

We aim to recruit 2100 APCAPS cohort members aged 45+ who have clinical and lifestyle data collected during a previous cohort follow-up (2010–2012). We will screen for locally prevalent non-communicable, infectious and mental health conditions, alongside cognitive impairments, disabilities and frailty, using a combination of self-reported clinical diagnosis, symptom-based questionnaires, physical examinations and biochemical assays. We will conduct in-depth interviews with people with varying multimorbidity clusters, their informal carers and local healthcare providers. Deidentified data will be made available to external researchers.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has received approval from the ethics committees of the National Institute of Nutrition and Indian Institute of Public Health Hyderabad, India and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. Meta-data and data collection instruments will be published on the APCAPS website alongside details of existing APCAPS data and the data access process (www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/centres-projects-groups/apcaps).

Chinese family care partners of older adults in Canada have grit: A qualitative study

Abstract

Aim

To explain the process taken by Chinese family care partners of older adults in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, to access health and social services in their communities. The research question was: What mechanisms and structures impact the agency of Chinese family care partners of older adults, in the process of assisting them to access health and social services?

Design

This qualitative study was informed by critical realism.

Methods

Chinese family care partners of older adults in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, were interviewed from August 2020 to June 2021. Transcripts underwent thematic analysis.

Findings

Twenty-eight Chinese family care partners expressed a firm commitment to maintain caregiving conditions and to judiciously access health and social services. Their commitment was made up of three parts: (a) legislative and cultural norms of family, work, and society; (b) their perseverance to fill gaps with limited social and financial resources; (c) the quality of their relationship to, and illness trajectory of the older adults. The social structures created tension in how Chinese family care partners made decisions, negotiated resources, and ultimately monitored and coordinated timely access with older adults.

Conclusion

Participants' commitment and perseverance were conceptualized as “grit,” central to their agency to conform to legislative and cultural norms. Moreover, findings support grit's power to motivate and sustain family caregiving, in order for older adults to age in place as long as possible with finite resources.

Implications for the profession

This study highlights the importance of cultural awareness education for nurses, enabling continuity of care at a systems level and for a more resilient healthcare system.

Impact

Family care partners' grit may be crucial for nurses to harness when together, they face limited access to culturally appropriate health and social services in a system grounded in values of equity and inclusion, as in Canada.

Reporting method

When writing this manuscript, we adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines of the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).

Patient or public involvement and engagement

No patient or public involvement.

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