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☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

School health professionals understanding of culture: a scoping review protocol

Por: Wahlström · E. · Landerdahl Stridsberg · S. · Larsson · C. · Stier · J. — Noviembre 24th 2023 at 17:10
Introduction

Culture is highlighted in previous research as important in encounters where health professionals and children do not share a language or culture. In these encounters, culture is described as mainly related to the child, whereas the health professionals’ understanding of their own culture as impacting the encounter tends to be left out. To clarify how culture is understood and conceptualised among professionals, it is of relevance to collate previous research on health professionals’ understanding of culture. In the scoping review that this protocol describes, we aim to focus on the context of the school health services, being a context accessible to many children in their everyday life. The aim of the review will be to identify, describe and analyse previous research concerning school health professionals’ (ie, school nurses, school social workers, school doctors and school psychologists) understanding of culture.

Methods and analysis

This scoping review will be guided by the methodology described by Peters et al and Khalil et al. Searches will be conducted in Scopus, PubMed, Cinahl Plus, SocIndex, Sociological Abstracts, Social Services Abstracts, APA PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles, Web of Science and Applied Social Sciences Index & Abstracts (ASSIA). Any published scientific papers focusing on school health professionals’ understanding of culture (conceptualised through a variety of related terms) and school health services conducted within the last 10 years (2013–2023) will be included. Two reviewers will independently screen all titles and abstracts for inclusion. Two reviewers will conduct the screening of full-text documents and the extraction of information. Qualitative content analysis as well as discourse analysis will be employed.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for this study. The findings will be disseminated through peer review publication as well as presentation at conferences and to relevant stakeholders.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Association between preterm delivery and subsequent maternal risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus in a UK population-based retrospective cohort study

Por: Song · A. · Okoth · K. · Adderley · N. J. — Noviembre 24th 2023 at 17:10
Objectives

Women with a history of preterm delivery (PTD) are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) later in life. However, it is not well established whether PTD is associated with CVD risk factors, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, in this study, we examined the associations between PTD compared with term delivery and subsequent risk of hypertension and T2DM.

Design

Retrospective matched population-based open cohort study.

Setting

Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD data in the UK.

Participants

A total of 3335 18–49-year-old women with preterm delivery were matched by age and region to 12 634 without a record of preterm delivery.

Primary outcome measures

Outcomes of interest were newly diagnosed hypertension or T2DM at least 6 months after delivery. During the study period (January 2000–December 2019), hypertension or T2DM events in the medical records of women with (exposed) and without (unexposed) preterm delivery were compared. HR and 95% CI were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

Over a median follow-up period of 5.11 (IQR 2.15–9.56) years, the HRs for hypertension in women who delivered preterm compared with women who delivered at term were 1.42 (95%CI 1.09 to 1.80) and 1.18 (95%CI 0.90 to 1.56) in the unadjusted and adjusted models, respectively. For T2DM, over a median follow-up period of 5.17 (IQR 2.18–9.67) years, the HRs in women who delivered preterm compared with those who delivered at term were 1.67 (95%CI 1.12 to 2.48) and 1.10 (95%CI 0.72 to 1.68) in the unadjusted and adjusted models, respectively.

Conclusion

We found no independent effect of preterm delivery on risk of hypertension or type 2 diabetes in this study. While significant associations were observed in unadjusted analyses, associations were lost after adjustment and may be attributable to other reproductive complications. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Experiences of adolescents using sexual health services on Reunion Island: protocol for a qualitative phenomenological study

Por: Reynaud · D. · Laboureur · E. · Marimoutou · C. · Cartron · E. — Noviembre 24th 2023 at 17:10
Introduction

Adolescence and early adulthood are often critical periods of sexual development. The discovery of sexual intercourse can lead to sexual risk-taking which may impact the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies. Despite available sexual health services on Reunion Island, sexual health indicators for adolescents are very poor showing a high number of teenage pregnancies and abortions, low use of contraception and an upsurge of STIs. In contrast, this French region is equipped with many services and resources that enable young adults to make informed sexual health choices. This study protocol describes the methodology to describe adolescent experiences of using sexual health services on Reunion Island.

Methods and analysis

A monocentric descriptive qualitative study using a phenomenological approach will be conducted from December 2022 to August 2023 and will be based on face-to-face semistructured interviews with participants aged 15–19 years and residing on Reunion Island. Recruitment will be distributed at various educational institutions and sexual health centres and will be facilitated by the ‘snowball’ and ‘word-of-mouth’ effect. Data analysis will be independently carried out by three investigators to increase reliability. An interpretative phenomenological analysis will be performed.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Hospital Center University De Bordeaux (CER-BDX-2022-55). Data generated do not fall within the field of biological or medical knowledge nor into the category of Research Involving the Human Person as defined in Articles L. 1121-1 and R. 1121-1 of the Public Health Code in France. All participants will receive information about the study in verbal and written forms and will give their oral consent before enrolment. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal as well as presented and disseminated at the Regional Health Agency of Reunion Island, conferences and in meetings with school directors.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Key CT markers for predicting haemorrhagic transformation after ischaemic stroke: a prospective cohort study in China

Por: Wei · C. · Wu · Q. · Liu · J. · Wang · Y. · Liu · M. — Noviembre 24th 2023 at 17:10
Objectives

Limited studies have systematically addressed the CT markers of predicting haemorrhagic transformation (HT). We aimed to (1) investigate the predictive ability of the imaging factors on multimodal CT for HT and (2) identify the key CT markers that can accurately predict HT while maintaining easy and rapid assessment in the early stage of stroke.

Design and setting

This was a prospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary hospital in Southwest China.

Participants

Patients with ischaemic stroke admitted within 24 hours after onset were included.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome was measured as the overall HT. The secondary outcomes were the presence of parenchymal haematoma, symptomatic HT and spontaneous HT.

Results

A total of 763 patients were included. The early hypodensity >1/3 of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory, Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score≤7, midline shift, hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS), poor collateral circulation, infarct core and penumbra was independently associated with the increased risk of HT (all p 1/3 of the MCA territory, midline shift and HMCAS showed a good predictive performance for HT (area under the curve 0.80, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.84).

Conclusions

Seven imaging factors on multimodal CT were independently associated with HT. The high specificity of midline shift suggests the need to consider it as an imaging indicator when assessing the risk of HT. The early hypodensity >1/3 of the MCA territory, midline shift and HMCAS was identified as the key CT markers for the early prediction of HT. The coexistence of the three key factors might be a valuable index for identifying individuals at high bleeding risk and guiding further treatments.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Geospatial analysis of the hospitalisation rate of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Hunan: a cross-sectional Chinese study

Por: Ge · Y. · Wang · S. · Shi · Q. · Shi · J. · Tian · J. — Noviembre 24th 2023 at 17:10
Objective

Little is known about spatial variability of hospitalisation rate (HR) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) worldwide, especially in China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with RA admitted to hospitals in Hunan Province. Global Moran’s I and local indicators of spatial association were used to explore the geospatial pattern of the HR of patients with RA. Generalised estimating equation analysis and geographically weighted regression were used to identify the potential influencing factors of the HR of patients with RA.

Results

There were a total of 11 599 admissions, and the average HR was 1.57 per 10 000 population in Hunan. We detected different cluster patterns of the HR among patients with RA by local indicators of spatial association. Age, ethnicity, average temperature, average temperature range, average rainfall, regions, gross domestic product per capita, and doctors and hospitals per 10 000 people were risk factors for the HR. However, only average temperature, gross domestic product per capita and hospitals per 10 000 people showed different regression coefficients on the HR in different counties. The increase in hospitals increased the probability of HR from east to west in Hunan with a positive coefficient, while temperature decreases increased the risk of HR from south to north negatively. Similarly, the growth of gross domestic product per capita decreased the probability of HR from southwest to northeast.

Conclusion

A non-random spatial distribution of the HR of patients with RA was demonstrated in Hunan, and average temperature, gross domestic product per capita and hospitals per 10 000 people showed different regression coefficients on the HR in different counties. Our study indicated that spatial and geostatistics may be useful approaches for further study among patients with RA.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Impact of a capacity-building intervention on views and perceptions of healthcare providers towards the provision of adolescent sexual and reproductive health services in southeast Nigeria: a cross-sectional qualitative study

Por: Agu · I. C. · Agu · C. · Mbachu · C. · Onwujekwe · O. — Noviembre 24th 2023 at 17:10
Objectives

Negative views of healthcare providers towards adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services deter adolescents from seeking vital SRH services. This paper assessed the impact of an intervention on the views and perceptions of healthcare providers towards the provision of adolescent SRH services.

Design and setting

A descriptive, cross-sectional, qualitative study was conducted between 14 October and 19 November 2021 in six local government areas (LGAs) in Ebonyi state, southeast Nigeria, after the implementation of an intervention comprising of training and supportive supervision.

Participants and data collection

Data were collected through: (1) two in-depth interviews (IDIs) with LGA healthcare managers; (2) six IDIs with LGA adolescent health programme managers; (3) two focus group discussions (FGDs) with 15 primary healthcare facility managers; (4) two FGDs with 20 patent medicine vendors and (5) two FGDs with 17 community health volunteers. A total of six FGDs were held with 52 healthcare providers. The interviews were conducted using pretested interview guides. Transcripts were coded in NVivo (V.12) and themes were identified through inductive analysis.

Results

As a result of the intervention, most healthcare providers started recognising the rights of adolescents to obtain contraceptive services and no longer deny them access to contraceptive services. The providers also became friendlier and were no longer harsh in their interactions with adolescents. There were some unique findings relative to whether the providers were formal or informal healthcare providers. It was found that the informal healthcare providers were bolder and more comfortable delivering SRH services to adolescents and reported improved patronage by the adolescents. The formal healthcare providers made their facilities more conducive for adolescents by creating safe spaces and introducing extracurricular activities.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the importance of the constant capacity building of both formal and informal healthcare providers, which can address healthcare providers’ biases, views and perceptions of delivering SRH services to adolescents.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Association of serum potassium level with dietary potassium intake in Chinese older adults: a multicentre, cross-sectional survey

Por: Yuan · Y. · Jin · A. · Zhao · M.-H. · Wang · H. · Feng · X. · Qiao · Q. · Zhang · R. · Gao · R. · Wu · Y. — Noviembre 24th 2023 at 17:10
Objectives

Evidence linking dietary potassium and serum potassium is virtually scarce and inconclusive. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between serum potassium level and potassium intake measured by 24-hour urine. We also explored whether the association differed across health conditions.

Design

A cross-sectional study conducted from September 2017 to March 2018.

Setting

48 residential elderly care facilities in northern China.

Participants

Participants aged 55 years and older and with both serum potassium and 24-hour urinary potassium measured were classified as having a low (apparently healthy), moderate (with ≥1 health condition but normal renal function) and high (with ≥1 health condition and abnormal renal function) risk of hyperkalaemia.

Exposure

Potassium intake is measured by 24-hour urinary potassium.

Outcomes

Serum potassium in association with potassium intake after adjustment for age, sex, region and accounting for the cluster effect.

Results

Of 962 eligible participants (mean age 69.1 years, 86.8% men), 17.3% were at low risk, 48.4% at moderate risk and 34.3% at high risk of hyperkalaemia. Serum potassium was weakly associated with 24-hour urinary potassium among individuals with moderate (adjusted β=0.0040/L; p=0.017) and high (adjusted β=0.0078/L; p=0.003) but not low (adjusted β=0.0018/L; p=0.311) risk of hyperkalaemia.

Conclusions

A weak association between dietary potassium intake and serum potassium level existed only among individuals with impaired renal function or other health conditions but not among apparently healthy individuals. The results imply that increasing dietary potassium intake may slightly increase the risk of hyperkalaemia but may also decrease the risk of hypokalaemia in unhealthy individuals, both of which have important health concerns.

Trial registration number

NCT03290716; Post-results.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Early monitoring of intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischaemic stroke using wearable intelligent vital sign devices: protocol for a prospective, multicentre, observational registry cohort study

Por: Liu · M. · Zhao · J. · Li · S. · Han · J. · Ma · G. · Wang · Y. · Chang · H. — Noviembre 24th 2023 at 17:10
Introduction

Continuous monitoring of vital signs during and after ischaemic stroke was recommended by the ‘Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients with Acute Ischaemic Stroke: 2019 Update to the 2018 Guidelines for the Early Management of Acute Ischaemic Stroke’. Vital sign data can be associated with disease conditions and prognosis, while there is limited evidence regarding continuous monitoring of vital signs during and after acute ischaemic stroke. The wearable intelligent vital sign monitoring device is small and lightweight and constantly monitors the health status during daily activities. However, wearable intelligent vital sign monitoring devices have not been widely used in clinical practice so far. Therefore, we will investigate the effectiveness and safety of wearable intelligent vital sign monitoring devices in early in-hospital management and monitoring programmes for patients with acute ischaemic stroke. This paper presents the study protocol.

Methods and design

This study is a prospective, multicentre, observational registry study starting from 20 March 2023 to 20 March 2025. A total of 5740 patients with acute ischaemic stroke from 10 Chinese hospitals are planned to be enrolled. Continuous vital sign data, demographics, medical history, medication history, treatments, laboratory tests, imaging scans and follow-up data will be collected. Follow-up time points were 30 days after discharge, 30 days after intravenous thrombolysis, 3 months after intravenous thrombolysis and 12 months after intravenous thrombolysis (until March 2026). The primary outcome included the evaluation of the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months, as well as the assessment of the rate of symptomatic and asymptomatic intracranial haemorrhage throughout the hospitalisation period.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University ([2022] 203). We plan to disseminate the research findings through publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations at international conferences.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2300069512.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Paediatric hospitalisation related to medications administration errors of non-opioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics in England and Wales: a longitudinal ecological study

Por: Naser · A. Y. · Alshehri · H. — Noviembre 24th 2023 at 17:10
Objective

This study aimed to explore paediatric hospitalisation related to medication administration errors (MAEs) of non-opioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics in England and Wales.

Design

An ecological study.

Setting

A population-based study on hospitalised patients in England and Wales. Hospital admission data were extracted from the Hospital Episode Statistics database in England and the Patient Episode Database for Wales for the period between April 1999 and April 2020. Admissions cause was confirmed using the diagnostic codes T39.0–T39.9.

Participants

Paediatric patients aged 15 years and below who were hospitalised at all National Health Service (NHS) trusts and any independent sector funded by NHS trusts.

Primary outcome measure

Hospitalisation rates related to MAEs of non-opioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics.

Results

The yearly number of admissions for MAEs associated with non-opioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics experienced a notable growth of 21.7% over the span of two decades, rising from 4574 cases in 1999 to 5568 cases in 2020. The observed increase demonstrates a significant upward trend in hospital admissions rate, with a 12.3% growth from 46.16 per 100 000 individuals in 1999 to 51.83 per 100 000 individuals in 2020 (95% CIs 44.83 to 47.50 and 50.47 to53.19, respectively, trend test, p

Conclusion

The research revealed a notable rise in the overall yearly number of hospital admissions associated with MAEs within the paediatric population. This study emphasises the necessity for additional research aimed at mitigating the potential hazards associated with the ingestion of these medications, particularly within susceptible demographics, such as young children.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Policy-makers conception of patient non-attendance fees in specialist healthcare: a qualitative document analysis

Por: Fystro · J. R. · Feiring · E. — Noviembre 24th 2023 at 17:10
Objectives

Patients missing their scheduled appointments in specialist healthcare without giving notice can undermine efficient care delivery. To reduce patient non-attendance and possibly compensate healthcare providers, policy-makers have noted the viability of implementing patient non-attendance fees. However, these fees may be controversial and generate public resistance. Identifying the concepts attributed to non-attendance fees is important to better understand the controversies surrounding the introduction and use of these fees. Patient non-attendance fees in specialist healthcare have been extensively debated in Norway and Denmark, two countries that are fairly similar regarding political culture, population size and healthcare system. However, although Norway has implemented a patient non-attendance fee scheme, Denmark has not. This study aimed to identify and compare how policy-makers in Norway and Denmark have conceptualised patient non-attendance fees over three decades.

Design

A qualitative document study with a multiple-case design.

Methods

A theory-driven qualitative analysis of policy documents (n=55) was performed.

Results

Although patient non-attendance fees were seen as a measure to reduce non-attendance rates in both countries, the specific conceptualisation of the fees differed. The fees were understood as a monetary disincentive in Norwegian policy documents. In the Danish documents, the fees were framed as an educative measure to foster a sense of social responsibility, as well as serving as a monetary disincentive. The data suggest, however, a recent change in the Danish debate emphasising fees as a disincentive. In both countries, fees were partly justified as a means of compensating providers for the loss of income.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate how, as a regulative policy tool, patient non-attendance fees have been conceptualised and framed differently, even in apparently similar contexts. This suggests that a more nuanced and complex understanding of why such fees are debated is needed.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Work-related stress and associated factors among health professionals working in Ambo town public health facilities, West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia, 2021: a cross-sectional study

Por: Bakare · M. · Darega · J. · Nugus · G. G. · Tsegaw · M. — Noviembre 24th 2023 at 17:10
Objectives

To assess work-related stress (WRS) and associated factors among health professionals working in Ambo town governmental health facilities, in 2021.

Design

Institution-based analytical cross-sectional study.

Setting

Institution-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Ambo town from 15 July 2021 to 15 August 2021. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 420 participants. Data were collected by using structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to show the magnitude of WRS. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify variables that are significantly associated with WRS at 95% CI and p value

Participants

A total of 407 participants were involved in the study making the response rate 96.9%. The age of the respondents ranged from 20 to 52 with the mean age of 29 years (SD=4.8). Among all participants, 261 (64.1%) were male health professionals.

Results

This study found that the overall prevalence of WRS was 52.33% (47.5, 57.2). Being female (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.73, 95% CI 1.06, 2.81), home-work interface (AOR=1.93, 95% CI 1.19, 3.14), job insecurity (tendency not knowing continue current job (AOR=3.22, 95% CI 1.87, 5.56) and major life events (serious injury to close relatives (AOR=3.13, 95% CI 1.68, 5.84), death of close relative (AOR=2.09, 95% CI 1.16, 3.77), being violated by other (AOR=3.10, 95% CI 1.65, 5.83) and anything else seriously upset (AOR=2.63, 95% CI 1.60, 4.32) were factors significantly associated with WRS.

Conclusion

The prevalence of WRS among health professionals working in Ambo town public health facilities was high as compared with other studies. Sex, job insecurity, home-work interface and occurrence of major life events were factors that positively related to WRS and make the work of health professionals stressful. Health facilities, programme managers and policy makers should consider those identified factors while designing public health interventions to reduce WRS among health professionals.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Effectiveness of a midwife-led continuity of care model on birth outcomes and maternal mental health in vulnerable women: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial with an internal pilot, process evaluation and economic analysis

Por: Willan · K. · Moss · R. H. · Santorelli · G. · Ahern · S. · Bryant · M. · Bywater · T. · Blower · S. L. · Richardson · G. · Hinde · S. · Huo · D. · Wright · J. · Dickerson · J. · Innovation Hub · B. S. B. — Noviembre 23rd 2023 at 17:23
Introduction

Women from social disadvantage are at greater risk of poor birth outcomes. The midwife-led continuity of care (MCC) model, which offers flexible and relational care from a small team of midwives, has demonstrated improved birth outcomes. In the general population, the impact of MCC on socially disadvantaged women and on birth outcomes is still unclear. This protocol describes a pragmatic evaluation of the MCC model in a socially disadvantaged population.

Methods and analysis

An open-labelled individual prospective randomised controlled trial with an internal pilot, process evaluation and economic analysis, from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2024.

Women will be randomly allocated to MCC or standard care as part of usual midwifery practice. Participants and midwives will not be blinded, but researchers will be. An internal pilot will test the feasibility of this process.

Participants are those randomised into MCC or standard care, who consent to participate in one of two Born in Bradford (BiB) birth cohort studies. Outcomes are taken from routinely linked health data, supplemented by additional data capture. The sample size is fixed by the capacity of MCC teams, commissioning duration and numbers recruited into the cohort. The estimated maximum fixed sample size is 1,410 pregnancies (minimum 734).

Intention to treat (ITT) analysis will be undertaken to assess the impact of MCC on two independent primary outcomes. An economic evaluation will explore the impact on health resource use and a process evaluation will explore fidelity to the MCC model, and barriers/facilitators to implementation from midwives’ and women’s perspectives.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained for the randomisation in midwifery practice, use of the cohort data for evaluation and for the process evaluation. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and translated into policy briefings.

Trial registration number

IsRCTNhttps://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN31836167

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Efficacy and safety of intraperitoneal dexamethasone on postoperative nausea and vomiting following laparoscopy: study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Por: Xu · N. · Jiang · K. · Liu · L. · Chen · L. — Noviembre 23rd 2023 at 17:23
Introduction

Intraperitoneal dexamethasone has been reported to be effective to reduce the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Therefore, this meta-analysis will analyse the efficacy and safety of intraperitoneal dexamethasone on PONV following laparoscopy.

Methods and analysis

Electronic databases (eg, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, Web of Science, National Institute of Informatics, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) and clinical trial registries will be systematically searched from their inception to 1 October 2022. After the study and data collection processes, we will identify randomised controlled trials that reported details of intraperitoneal dexamethasone on PONV following laparoscopy to conduct a meta-analysis. We will perform the study process and data collection separately. The collected data will be statistically analysed using Review Manager 5.4 software. The risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool 2. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation certainty assessment, and a trial sequential analysis will be conducted to ensure the accuracy of this meta-analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval and patient consent are not required since this study is a systematic review and meta-analysis. The findings of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022362924.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Cost-effectiveness of providing university students with a mindfulness-based intervention to reduce psychological distress: economic evaluation of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial

Por: Wagner · A. P. · Galante · J. · Dufour · G. · Barton · G. · Stochl · J. · Vainre · M. · Jones · P. B. — Noviembre 23rd 2023 at 17:23
Objective

Increasing numbers of young people attending university has raised concerns about the capacity of student mental health services to support them. We conducted a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to explore whether provision of an 8 week mindfulness course adapted for university students (Mindfulness Skills for Students—MSS), compared with university mental health support as usual (SAU), reduced psychological distress during the examination period. Here, we conduct an economic evaluation of MSS+SAU compared with SAU.

Design and setting

Economic evaluation conducted alongside a pragmatic, parallel, single-blinded RCT comparing provision of MSS+SAU to SAU.

Participants

616 university students randomised.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary economic evaluation assessed the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained from the perspective of the university counselling service. Costs relate to staff time required to deliver counselling service offerings. QALYs were derived from the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Dimension 6 Dimension (CORE-6D) preference based tool, which uses responses to six items of the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure (CORE-OM; primary clinical outcome measure). Primary follow-up duration was 5 and 7 months for the two recruitment cohorts.

Results

It was estimated to cost £1584 (2022 prices) to deliver an MSS course to 30 students, £52.82 per student. Both costs (adjusted mean difference: £48, 95% CI £40–£56) and QALYs (adjusted mean difference: 0.014, 95% CI 0.008 to 0.021) were significantly higher in the MSS arm compared with SAU. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was £3355, with a very high (99.99%) probability of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20 000 per QALY.

Conclusions

MSS leads to significantly improved outcomes at a moderate additional cost. The ICER of £3355 per QALY suggests that MSS is cost-effective when compared with the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence thresholds of £20 000 per QALY.

Trial registration number

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12615001160527.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Staff perceptions towards virtual reality-motivated treadmill exercise for care home residents: a qualitative feedback study with key stakeholders and follow-up interview with technology developer

Por: Bradwell · H. L. · Cooper · L. · Edwards · K. J. · Baxter · R. · Tomaz · S. A. · Ritchie · J. · Gaudl · S. · Veliz-Reyes · A. · Ryde · G. C. · Krizaj · T. · Warren · A. · Chatterjee · A. · Willis · K. · Haynes · R. · Hennessy · C. H. · Whittaker · A. C. · Asthana · S. · Jones · R. B. · On — Noviembre 23rd 2023 at 17:23
Objectives

Health and care resources are under increasing pressure, partly due to the ageing population. Physical activity supports healthy ageing, but motivating exercise is challenging. We aimed to explore staff perceptions towards a virtual reality (VR) omnidirectional treadmill (MOTUS), aimed at increasing physical activity for older adult care home residents.

Design

Interactive workshops and qualitative evaluation.

Settings

Eight interactive workshops were held at six care homes and two university sites across Cornwall, England, from September to November 2021.

Participants

Forty-four staff participated, including care home, supported living, clinical care and compliance managers, carers, activity coordinators, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Interventions

Participants tried the VR treadmill system, followed by focus groups exploring device design, potential usefulness or barriers for care home residents. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. We subsequently conducted a follow-up interview with the technology developer (September 2022) to explore the feedback impact.

Results

The analysis produced seven key themes: anticipated benefits, acceptability, concerns of use, concerns of negative effects, suitability/unsuitability, improvements and current design. Participants were generally positive towards VR to motivate care home residents’ physical activity and noted several potential benefits (increased exercise, stimulation, social interaction and rehabilitation). Despite the reported potential, staff had safety concerns for frail older residents due to their standing position. Participants suggested design improvements to enhance safety, usability and accessibility. Feedback to the designers resulted in the development of a new seated VR treadmill to address concerns about falls while maintaining motivation to exercise. The follow-up developer interview identified significant value in academia–industry collaboration.

Conclusion

The use of VR-motivated exercise holds the potential to increase exercise, encourage reminiscence and promote meaningful activity for care home residents. Staff concerns resulted in a redesigned seated treadmill for those too frail to use the standing version. This novel study demonstrates the importance of stakeholder feedback in product design.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Prevalence and correlates of burn-out among Nigerian medical doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

Por: Pius · R. E. · Ajuluchukwu · J. N. · Roberts · A. A. — Noviembre 23rd 2023 at 17:23
Introduction

Physician burn-out was an issue before the pandemic. Medical personnel have faced several clinical and non-clinical challenges because of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, which predisposes them to burn-out. There is a paucity of studies that shed light on the level of burn-out and its association with work-related factors for Nigerian medical doctors. This study aims to examine the level of burn-out among Nigerian medical doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore possible associations between burn-out and sociodemographic, work-related and COVID-19-related factors.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 251 medical doctors in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic history, work-associated factors, COVID-19-related parameters and burn-out history. Personal, work-related and patient-related burn-out were evaluated with the use of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory.

Results

The number of doctors enrolled in this study was 251 with a median age of 34; 51.4% were males. The percentage of doctors who had personal, work-related and patient-related burn-out were 62.2%, 52.2 % and 27.5%, respectively. The univariate analysis revealed a correlation between burn-out scores and cadre, age, sex, years of experience, marital status, weekly work hours and number of calls. After multiple regression, female gender (p=0.012), those with less than 6 years of work experience (p=0.004) and those working for at least 71 hours in a week (p=0.0001) remained correlated with higher burn-out scores. Additionally, physicians who had a person with COVID-19 in their immediate environment had an independent correlation with higher work-related burn-out scores (p=0.043).

Conclusion

The prevalence of burn-out is high among Nigerian doctors and is linked to some sociodemographic, work-related and COVID-19-related factors. Due to the adverse effects of burn-out on physician well-being and patient care, strategies need to be put in place to identify and mitigate burn-out among Nigerian physicians.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Statistical methods applied for the assessment of the HIV cascade and continuum of care: a systematic scoping review

Por: Kalinjuma · A. V. · Glass · T. R. · Masanja · H. · Weisser · M. · Msengwa · A. S. · Vanobberghen · F. · Otwombe · K. — Noviembre 23rd 2023 at 17:23
Objectives

This scoping review aims to identify and synthesise existing statistical methods used to assess the progress of HIV treatment programmes in terms of the HIV cascade and continuum of care among people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Design

Systematic scoping review.

Data sources

Published articles were retrieved from PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Complete and Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE) databases between April and July 2022. We also strategically search using the Google Scholar search engine and reference lists of published articles.

Eligibility criteria

This scoping review included original English articles that estimated and described the HIV cascade and continuum of care progress in PLHIV. The review considered quantitative articles that evaluated either HIV care cascade progress in terms of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS targets or the dynamics of engagement in HIV care.

Data extraction and synthesis

The first author and the librarian developed database search queries and screened the retrieved titles and abstracts. Two independent reviewers and the first author extracted data using a standardised data extraction tool. The data analysis was descriptive and the findings are presented in tables and visuals.

Results

This review included 300 articles. Cross-sectional study design methods were the most commonly used to assess the HIV care cascade (n=279, 93%). In cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, the majority used proportions to describe individuals at each cascade stage (276/279 (99%) and 20/21 (95%), respectively). In longitudinal studies, the time spent in cascade stages, transition probabilities and cumulative incidence functions was estimated. The logistic regression model was common in both cross-sectional (101/279, 36%) and longitudinal studies (7/21, 33%). Of the 21 articles that used a longitudinal design, six articles used multistate models, which included non-parametric, parametric, continuous-time, time-homogeneous and discrete-time multistate Markov models.

Conclusions

Most literature on the HIV cascade and continuum of care arises from cross-sectional studies. The use of longitudinal study design methods in the HIV cascade is growing because such methods can provide additional information about transition dynamics along the cascade. Therefore, a methodological guide for applying different types of longitudinal design methods to the HIV continuum of care assessments is warranted.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Prehospital acute life-threatening cardiovascular disease in elderly: an observational, prospective, multicentre, ambulance-based cohort study

Por: del Pozo Vegas · C. · Zalama-Sanchez · D. · Sanz-Garcia · A. · Lopez-Izquierdo · R. · Saez-Belloso · S. · Mazas Perez Oleaga · C. · Dominguez Azpiroz · I. · Elio Pascual · I. · Martin-Rodriguez · F. — Noviembre 23rd 2023 at 17:23
Objective

The aim was to explore the association of demographic and prehospital parameters with short-term and long-term mortality in acute life-threatening cardiovascular disease by using a hazard model, focusing on elderly individuals, by comparing patients under 75 years versus patients over 75 years of age.

Design

Prospective, multicentre, observational study.

Setting

Emergency medical services (EMS) delivery study gathering data from two back-to-back studies between 1 October 2019 and 30 November 2021. Six advanced life support (ALS), 43 basic life support and five hospitals in Spain were considered.

Participants

Adult patients suffering from acute life-threatening cardiovascular disease attended by the EMS.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality from any cause within the first to the 365 days following EMS attendance. The main measures included prehospital demographics, biochemical variables, prehospital ALS techniques used and syndromic suspected conditions.

Results

A total of 1744 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The 365-day cumulative mortality in the elderly amounted to 26.1% (229 cases) versus 11.6% (11.6%) in patients under 75 years old. Elderly patients (≥75 years) presented a twofold risk of mortality compared with patients ≤74 years. Life-threatening interventions (mechanical ventilation, cardioversion and defibrillation) were also related to a twofold increased risk of mortality. Importantly, patients suffering from acute heart failure presented a more than twofold increased risk of mortality.

Conclusions

This study revealed the prehospital variables associated with the long-term mortality of patients suffering from acute cardiovascular disease. Our results provide important insights for the development of specific codes or scores for cardiovascular diseases to facilitate the risk of mortality characterisation.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Attitude towards medication deprescribing among older patients attending the geriatric centre: a cross-sectional survey in Southwest Nigeria

Por: Akande-Sholabi · W. · Ajilore · C. O. · Adebusoye · L. A. · Fakeye · T. O. — Noviembre 23rd 2023 at 17:23
Objectives

This study set out to assess older people’s perception of their medications, attitude towards medication use and their willingness to have medications deprescribed in a geriatric centre in Southwestern Nigeria.

Design and setting

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Chief Tony Anenih Geriatric Centre, University of Ibadan, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire used was a revised version of the Patient’s Attitude Towards Deprescribing Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, and multivariate and bivariate analyses were performed using SPSS V.23. Statistical significance was set at p

Participants

415 older patients aged ≥60 years who attended the geriatric centre in University College Hospital Ibadan between April and July 2022.

Main outcome measure

The primary outcome was the willingness of the older person to deprescribe if recommended by the physician.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 69.6±6.4 years, and 252 (60.7%) were female. Overall, the willingness and positive attitude to medication deprescribing among respondents were 60.5% and 89.7%, respectively. Factors significantly associated with willingness to deprescribe were financial self-support (p=0.021), having no previous hospital admission (p=0.009), better-perceived quality of health relative to peers (p

Conclusion

Participants demonstrated greater willingness to deprescribe if the physicians recommended it. Predictive factors that may influence willingness to deprescribe were direct involvement with medications, appropriateness of medication and concerns about stopping medications.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Determinants of implementing deprescribing for older adults in English care homes: a qualitative interview study

Por: Warmoth · K. · Rees · J. · Day · J. · Cockcroft · E. · Aylward · A. · Pollock · L. · Coxon · G. · Craig · T. · Walton · B. · Stein · K. — Noviembre 23rd 2023 at 17:23
Objectives

To explore the factors that may help or hinder deprescribing practice for older people within care homes.

Design

Qualitative semistructured interviews using framework analysis informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

Setting

Participants were recruited from two care home provider organisations (a smaller independently owned organisation and a large organisation) in England.

Participants

A sample of 23 care home staff, 8 residents, 4 family members and 1 general practitioner were associated with 15 care homes.

Results

Participants discussed their experiences and perceptions of implementing deprescribing within care homes. Major themes of (1) deprescribing as a complex process and (2) internal and external contextual factors influencing deprescribing practice (such as beliefs, abilities and relationships) were interrelated and spanned several CFIR constructs and domains. The quality of local relationships with and support from healthcare professionals were considered more crucial factors than the type of care home management structure.

Conclusions

Several influencing social and contextual factors need to be considered for implementing deprescribing for older adults in care homes. Additional training, tools, support and opportunities need to be made available to care home staff, so they can feel confident and able to question or raise concerns about medicines with prescribers. Further work is warranted to design and adopt a deprescribing approach which addresses these determinants to ensure successful implementation.

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