Conectar
To develop theories about how Nursing Associate (NA) roles are implemented and working within NHS practice: What works, for whom, in what contexts and how?
Rapid realist synthesis of: (1) empirical and grey literature; (2) realist interviews with stakeholders. Sources were analysed using a realist approach that explored the data for novel or causal insights to generate initial programme theories.
Empirical and grey sources (n = 15) and transcripts from stakeholder interviews (n = 11) were synthesised which identified three theory areas relating to NA implementation: (1) Scope of NA role: Communication and expectations; (2) Variations to the NA model of working; and (3) Career progression: Entry point, stepping stone and career in itself.
The NA holds the potential to improve nursing workforce stability by encouraging locally based, non-registered healthcare staff to transition to an NA. However, the lack of collective understanding of the NA scope of practice can cause staff friction. It is unknown whether this friction will reduce over time or if staff divisions will lead to further deterioration of the workforce.
Ongoing clear communication regarding NA scope of practice needs to be provided to aid understanding of their supplementary role and its potential contribution to nursing teams.
This work represents a first step to support both researchers and nursing workforce leaders in furthering knowledge of the impact of integrating NAs in diverse healthcare contexts and to unearth the mechanisms underpinning the success or failure of this new role.
Realist and meta-narrative evidence syntheses: Evolving standards.
Planning of the research design and interpretation of the results was completed with nurse clinicians with experience in the NA role.
Gluteal tendon tears—frequently dubbed the ‘rotator cuff tears of the hip’—are a common but often underdiagnosed cause of lateral hip pain and abductor dysfunction, especially in middle-aged to older women. While both open and endoscopic repair techniques are used, current literature suggests similar functional outcomes but higher complication rates following open repair. However, evidence is mainly derived from small retrospective case series, and no randomised trials exist. This systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis aims to compare the efficacy, safety and complication profiles of endoscopic versus open gluteal tendon repair.
A comprehensive literature search will be conducted across PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL and Epistemonikos without language or date restrictions. Eligible studies include randomised controlled trials and observational studies reporting on open or endoscopic gluteal tendon repair. Primary outcomes will include pain, functional scores and complication rates. Risk of bias will be assessed using the RoB 2 tool for RCTs and ROBINS-I for non-randomised studies. A three-level random-effects meta-analysis will be performed using inverse variance weighting and Hartung-Knapp adjustments. Heterogeneity will be quantified using the I² statistic.
Ethical approval is not required for this secondary analysis of published data. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.
The review will commence immediately after acceptance of this study protocol in BMJ Open. The systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis will be conducted as efficiently as possible, with anticipated completion approximately 3–6 months after initiation.
CRD420251088765
Adolescence is a critical period marked by rapid brain development and the onset of many mental health disorders. Brain MRI studies during adolescence, especially when paired with behavioural phenotypes and information about genetic risk factors, hold promise to advance early identification of mental health risk and spur the creation of targeted treatments to improve patient function, prognosis and quality of life. However, prospective neuroimaging is costly and time-intensive, and individuals who participate may not be reflective of the general population. These challenges are compounded when examining adolescents, as many families lack the time, energy or resources to participate in studies that use research-grade imaging. Repurposing clinical MRIs obviates many of the challenges of neuroimaging research. Here, we describe the brain-behaviour-genetics study protocol. This protocol describes procedures used to recruit participants with recent high-quality clinical brain MRIs and prospectively acquire genetic and sociobehavioural data, resulting in a highly cost-efficient design that harnesses a vast and underused neuroscientific resource.
The brain-behaviour-genetics protocol aims to recruit 1000 adolescents who have clinical brain MRIs contained in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s electronic health record. One or both parents of the adolescent proband will be recruited when possible. Parents and adolescents will complete a series of self-report scales spanning the domains of mental health, trauma, risk and resilience. Saliva samples will be collected from the adolescent and at least one biological parent, using an at-home saliva collection kit. Subsequent analysis will examine associations between brain development, genetics and behavioural measures in adolescence.
Approval for the study had been obtained from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s institutional review board (IRB #23–0 20 851). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.
This pilot study tested the feasibility of Lantern program, an adherence program to HIV medications using WhatsApp, a secure social media messaging application from Meta, for a smartphone-based platform to enhance medication-taking adherence of antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV in Indonesia. Thirty participants were recruited for this 8-week study. We recruited persons if they had taken antiretroviral therapy for at least 3 months prior to the study, had a smartphone, Internet access, and could use Lantern with WhatsApp. Here, we report the results from the focus group discussions, with the participants evaluating the qualitative aspects of the experiences. The WhatsApp platform was found to be safe, practical, and relatively inexpensive and provided confidentiality for the participants. Three themes emerged from the focus groups: the study motivated participants to take their antiretroviral therapy medications on time, they still set medication reminder alarms, and being in the study made them feel supported. The Lantern program indicated good feasibility and acceptability for adherence to antiretroviral therapies among people living with HIV. Future research should examine on how community organizations and healthcare providers can take advantage of the WhatsApp program to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapies. 
FreshRSS 