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Ayer — Octubre 2nd 2025Tus fuentes RSS

Barriers and Enablers to Pre‐Registration Nurses Providing Safe Care for Individuals Experiencing Suicidal Distress: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT

Aims

To identify research gaps by mapping what is known about the barriers and enablers to pre-registration nursing students identifying signs of suicidal distress in healthcare consumers and providing clear pathways of support.

Design

Scoping review.

Methods

This scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) five stage framework and the Levec et al. (2010) extensions of this framework.

Data Sources

The Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Complete and Ovid MEDLINE databases were searched to identify relevant articles, keywords and search terms to inform the full search strategy for CINAHL. This search strategy was then adapted for Scopus, PsychInfo, Emcare, Medline and ERIC, searched in November 2024.

Results

Studies eligible for inclusion (N = 28) represented research from 14 countries; most (53.5%, n = 15) used a quantitative design, 11 (39.3%) were qualitative and two (7.1%) used a mixed-methods design. Barriers found from the scoping review included a low level of knowledge of suicidality, stigma preventing students from assessing and acting on suicidal ideation, and a lack of confidence in providing care to healthcare consumers expressing suicidality. Enablers included lived experience, exposure to individuals expressing suicidal ideation and education, simulation and role play. This review also contributes to the existing literature about the relationship of nursing to existing suicide prevention frameworks and suggests revision of these frameworks to address staff attitudes and beliefs, as well as lived and living experience.

Conclusion

Nurses are ideally placed to assess and respond to suicidality among healthcare consumers, and preparation should begin during pre-registration studies. Our scoping review indicates that further research work is needed to address the barriers to working with healthcare consumers expressing suicidality and to enhance the enablers to provide safe care.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Addressing the barriers and enablers to pre-registration nursing students providing safe care for healthcare consumers expressing suicidality is essential. Further research is required to address the barriers and enhance the enablers identified in this scoping review.

Impact

What problem did the study address? This scoping review summarised the literature on pre-registration student ability to work with healthcare consumers expressing suicidality, identifying barriers and enablers. What were the main findings? Barriers include poor knowledge of suicidality, stigma, fear and a lack of confidence in working with healthcare consumers expressing suicidality. Enablers include lived experience, exposure to clinical settings where healthcare consumers express suicidality and simulation and education. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? The research will have an impact on providers of pre-registration nursing degrees, where the inclusion of content addressing suicidality and exposure to settings where individuals express suicidal ideation is shown to improve attitudes and knowledge of suicidality assessment.

Reporting Method

PRISMA checklist for scoping reviews.

Patient or Public Involvement

This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.

Bacteria isolated from the grape phyllosphere capable of degrading guaiacol, a main volatile phenol associated with smoke taint in wine

by Claudia Castro, Jacquelyn Badillo, Melissa Tumen-Velasquez, Adam M. Guss, Thomas S. Collins, Frank Harmon, Devin Coleman-Derr

Recent wildfires near vineyards in the Pacific United States have caused devastating financial losses due to smoke taint in wine. When wine grapes (Vitis vinifera) are exposed to wildfire smoke, their berries absorb volatile phenols derived from the lignin of burning plant material. Volatile phenols are released during the winemaking process giving the finished wine an unpleasant, smokey, and ashy taste known as smoke taint. Bacteria are capable of undergoing a wide variety of metabolic processes and therefore present great potential for bioremediation applications in many industries. In this study, we identify two strains of the same species that colonize the grape phyllosphere and are able to degrade guaiacol, a main volatile phenol responsible for smoke taint in wine. We identify the suite of genes that enable guaiacol degradation in Gordonia alkanivorans via RNAseq of cells growing on guaiacol as a sole carbon source. Additionally, we knockout guaA, a cytochrome P450 gene involved in the conversion of guaiacol to catechol; ΔguaA cells cannot catabolize guaiacol in vitro, providing evidence that GuaA is necessary for this process. Furthermore, we analyze the microbiome of berries and leaves exposed to smoke in the vineyard to investigate the impact of smoke on the grape microbial community. We found smoke has a significant but small effect on the microbial community, leading to an enrichment of several genera belonging to the Bacilli class. Collectively, this research shows that studying microbes and their enzymes has the potential to identify novel tools for alleviating smoke taint.
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Dengue epidemic alert thresholds for surveillance and decision-making in Puerto Rico: development and prospective application of an early warning system using routine surveillance data

Por: Thayer · M. B. · Marzan-Rodriguez · M. · Torres Aponte · J. · Rivera · A. · Rodriguez · D. M. · Madewell · Z. J. · Rysava · K. · Paz-Bailey · G. · Adams · L. E. · Johansson · M. A.
Objectives

The Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDH) seeks to identify dengue epidemics as early as possible with high specificity.

Design

Development and prospective application of an early warning system for dengue epidemics using routine historical surveillance data. A weekly intercept-only negative binomial regression model was fitted using historical probable and confirmed dengue data. A range of threshold definitions was explored using three model-estimated percentiles of weekly dengue case counts.

Setting

Dengue is endemic in Puerto Rico with irregular occurrence of large epidemics with substantial impact on health burden and health systems. Probable and confirmed dengue data are routinely collected from all hospitals and private clinics.

Participants

A total of 86 282 confirmed or probable dengue virus cases were reported from 1 January 1986 to 30 June 2024, with an annual mean of 2212 cases (median: 1533; range: 40–10 356).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The model was fitted retrospectively to mimic real-time epidemic detection and assessed based on sensitivity and specificity of epidemic detection.

Results

The 75th percentile threshold aligned best with historical epidemic classifications, balancing false alarms and missed detections. This model provides a robust method for defining thresholds, accounting for skewed data, using all historical data and improving on traditional methods like endemic channels.

Conclusions

In March 2024, PRDH declared a public health emergency due to an early, out-of-season surge in cases that exceeded the epidemic alert threshold developed in this study. This real-time application highlights the value of these thresholds to support dengue epidemic detection and public health response. Integrating thresholds with other tools and strategies can enhance epidemic preparedness and management.

Randomised controlled study investigating standard dose continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) versus low-dose CRRT in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI): study protocol for a prospective, randomised, controlled, international, mu

Por: Strauss · C. · Sadjadi · M. · von Groote · T. · Booke · H. · Schöne · L. M. · Hegner · C. · Wempe · C. · Meersch · M. · Gerss · J. · Bernard · A. · Haeberle · H. A. · Rosenberger · P. · Rahmel · T. · Unterberg · M. · Adamzik · M. · Arndt · C. · Wulf · H. · Romagnoli · S. · Bonizzoli · M.
Introduction

The only supportive therapy for patients with severe acute kidney injury (AKI), a common complication among the critically ill, is dialysis. Based on the literature and current guidelines, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with a total effluent dose of 20–25 mL/kg/hour and adjustments to ensure such dose is delivered despite down time (eg, due to surgical procedures) is recommended. However, experimental and clinical studies suggest that azotaemia, which can be induced by lowering the effluent dose, may accelerate renal recovery. This clinical study investigates whether a lower effluent dose (10–15 mL/kg/hour) for a maximum of 7 days or until successful (>24 hours) liberation of CRRT in critically ill patients with a dialysis-dependent AKI accelerates renal recovery and reduces time on CRRT compared with guideline-directed standard dose (25–30 mL/kg/hour).

Methods and analysis

The Ketzerei trial is an international, multicentre randomised, controlled trial, designed to investigate if a lower effluent dose (10–15 mL/kg/hour) accelerates renal recovery and reduces the time on CRRT compared with the guideline directed standard effluent dose (25–30 mL/kg/hour). The study aims to enrol 150 critically ill patients with a dialysis-dependent AKI. Eligible patients will be randomised to receive either a standard effluent dose (control group, 25–30 mL/kg/hour) or lower effluent dose (interventional group, 10–15 mL/kg/hour). The primary endpoint is the number of days free from CRRT and alive (from randomisation through day 28). Key secondary endpoints include the number of (serious) adverse events due to potential uremia, the duration of RRT and intensive care unit survival.

Ethics and dissemination

The Ketzerei trial has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Chamber of Physicians Westfalen-Lippe (2023–343 f-s), the University of Muenster and subsequently by the corresponding Ethics Committee of the participating sites. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and will guide patient care and further research.

Trial registration number

clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06021288).

Analysing the association of BMI, physical activity and sociodemographics with osteoarthritis symptom severity: cross-sectional study in Southern Bosnia and Herzegovina

Por: Brkic · S. · Gilic · B. · Obradovic Salcin · L. · Ostojic · D. · Ostojic · L. · Miljanovic Damjanovic · V. · Geets Kesic · M. · Simic · J. · Sekulic · D.
Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the associations between body mass index (BMI), physical activity levels (PALs) and sociodemographic factors (gender, age, education and marital status) with different outcomes (symptoms) of osteoarthritis (OA) severity, in patients with knee OA.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Participants

The sample included 200 participants from southern Bosnia and Herzegovina (61 males, 65.1±9.01 years of age) who had been diagnosed with primary knee OA.

Outcome measures

OA symptoms as evidenced by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC) scale, including three subscores (WOMAC-pain, WOMAC-stiffness, WOMAC-functionality) and total WOMAC score. The predictors included age (in years), gender (male or female), BMI, PAL, education level, urban/rural living environment and marital status (partnership).

Results

Female gender was correlated with the WOMAC-pain, WOMAC-stiffness and WOMAC-total. Older age was correlated with the WOMAC-pain and WOMAC-total. Patients who were better educated and reported higher PAL had better WOMAC functionality. BMI was the most significant factor of influence, with higher WOMAC-pain (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.65), WOMAC-stiffness (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.1 to –1.33), WOMAC-functionality (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.40) and WOMAC-total (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.6 to –1.44) scores in patients with higher BMI.

Conclusions

Results indicate the necessity of controlling body weight in patients with diagnosed knee OA irrespective of gender. Further prospective studies are warranted in order to establish causality between variables.

Challenges of using and managing medication: a meta-ethnography of the experiences and perceptions of people with intellectual disability and people who support them

Por: Ghosh · I. · Adams · D. · Auguste · P. · Brown · A. · Chaplin · E. · Flynn · S. · Gauly · J. · Gill · P. · Langdon · P. E. · Mahon · D. · Martin · K. · Patterson · S. · Sutherland · D. · Tromans · S. J. · Chen · Y.-F. · Seers · K. · Supporting Medication use In people with a LEarning d
Objective

To explore the challenges experienced by people with intellectual disability, their carers and health and social care professionals when using and managing medication.

Design

A synthesis of qualitative research using meta-ethnography.

Data source

We searched seven databases: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Science, Social Science and Conference Proceedings Citation Indices (Web of Science), Cochrane Library, PsycINFO and Proquest Dissertations and Theses from inception to September 2022 (updated in July 2023).

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

We included studies exploring the challenges and perceptions of people with intellectual disability, their carers and health and social care professionals regarding medication management and use.

Results

We reviewed 7593 abstracts and 475 full texts, resulting in 45 included papers. Four major themes were identified: (1) Medication-related issues, (2) navigating autonomy and relationships, (3) knowledge and training needs and (4) inequalities in the healthcare system. We formulated a conceptual framework centred around people with intellectual disability and described the interconnectedness between them, their carers and health and social care professionals in the process of managing and using medication. We identified challenges that could be associated with the person, the medication and/or the context, along with a lack of understanding of these challenges and a lack of capability or resources to tackle them. We developed an overarching concept of ‘collective collaboration’ as a potential solution to prevent or mitigate problems related to medication use in people with intellectual disability.

Conclusions

The effective management of medication for people with intellectual disability requires a collaborative and holistic approach. By fostering person-centred care and shared decision-making, providing educational and practical support, and nurturing strong relationships between all partners involved to form a collective collaboration surrounding people with intellectual disability, improved medication adherence and optimised therapeutic outcomes can be achieved.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022362903.

Evaluating the implementation of the Deadly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nursing and Midwifery Mentoring (DANMM) programme: a mixed-methods pilot study conducted across four Local Health Districts in New South Wales, Australia

Por: Fealy · S. · McMillan · F. · Damm · A. · Biles · B. · Dawson · N. · Anderson · J. · Biles · J.
Objective

Cultural safety is critical to addressing healthcare disparities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Deadly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nursing and Midwifery Mentoring (DANMM) programme was developed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives through culturally responsive mentorship. This pilot study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of the DANMM programme and its impact on cultural safety knowledge and workplace experiences.

Design

A mixed-methods exploratory study research design was employed. Data collection methods were underpinned by the Ngaa-bi-nya evaluation framework.

Setting

Four Local Health Districts in New South Wales, Australia.

Participants

20 participants completed the Ganngaleh nga Yagaleh (GY) cultural safety tool (n=12 pre-DANMM programme and n=8 post-DANMM programme), between June 2023 and October 2024. Five of these participants also took part in individual yarns between August and November 2024.

Primary outcome measures

Changes in median cultural safety knowledge scores (pre- to post-programme), measured using the GY tool, were analysed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for unpaired data (p

Results

Statistically significant positive changes in median GY tool scores (pre to post) were observed for item 13 (median pre=4.5, post=5.0; p=0.02), item 32 (median pre=4.0, post=5.0; p=0.03) and item 40 (median pre=3.5, post=5.0; p=0.03); with a statistically significant negative change in scores observed for item 6 (median pre=3.0, post=2.0; p=0.01). Qualitative themes included: (1) fostering growth and navigating barriers, (2) the power of connection and (3) navigating prejudice and racism in the workplace. Participants valued the mentorship model, though programme participation was affected by organisational barriers, including time constraints and a lack of managerial support.

Conclusion

The DANMM programme was found to be acceptable and feasible with evidence of enhanced cultural safety knowledge and mentorship benefits. However, the findings highlight the enduring impacts of colonial and cultural load and the need for greater organisational support to ensure the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of cultural safety initiatives. Future research should examine the longer-term effects on workforce retention and overcoming barriers to implementation and scalability.

Emergency physicians experiences managing patients with a suspected cancer diagnosis in Ontario, Canada: a qualitative study

Por: Moore · C. · Petrovic · B. · Bender · J. L. · Thompson · C. · McLeod · S. L. · Savage · D. · Borgundvaag · B. · Ovens · H. · Irish · J. · Eskander · A. · Cheskes · S. · Krzyzanowska · M. · de Wit · K. · Mohindra · R. · Thiruganasambandamoorthy · V. · Grewal · K.
Objective

The emergency department (ED) often serves as a crucial pathway for cancer diagnosis. However, little is known about the management of patients with new suspected cancer diagnoses in the ED. The objective of this study was to explore emergency physicians’ experiences in managing patients with a newly suspected cancer diagnosis in the ED.

Design

Between January and April 2024, we conducted a qualitative descriptive study. Interviews were conducted by trained research personnel using a semistructured interview guide. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved. The interview transcripts were coded and thematic analysis was used to uncover key themes.

Setting and participants

Emergency physicians practising in Ontario, Canada.

Results

20 emergency physicians were interviewed. Four themes around the management of patients with new suspected cancer diagnoses in the ED were identified: (1) healthcare system-level factors that impact suspected cancer diagnosis through the ED, (2) institutional and provider-level challenges associated with managing patients with a suspected cancer diagnosis in the ED, (3) patient-level characteristics and experiences of receiving a cancer diagnosis in the ED and (4) the need for care coordination for patients with suspected cancer in the ED.

Conclusions

Physicians experienced several unique challenges in managing patients with a suspected cancer diagnosis in the ED. Overall, the findings of this study suggest these challenges often make the ED a difficult environment in which to deliver a suspected cancer diagnosis.

Validity evidence for communication skills assessment in health professions education: a scoping review

Por: Dorrestein · L. · Ritter · C. · De Mol · Z. · Wichtel · M. · Cary · J. · Vengrin · C. · Artemiou · E. · Adams · C. L. · Ganshorn · H. · Coe · J. B. · Barkema · H. · Hecker · K. G.
Objective

Communication skills assessment (CSA) is essential for ensuring competency, guiding educational practices and safeguarding regulatory compliance in health professions education (HPE). However, there appears to be heterogeneity in the reporting of validity evidence from CSA methods across the health profession that complicates our interpretation of the quality of assessment methods. Our objective was to map reliability and validity evidence from scores of CSA methods that have been reported in HPE.

Design

Scoping review.

Data sources

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ERIC, CAB Abstracts and Scopus databases were searched up to March 2024.

Eligibility criteria

We included studies, available in English, that reported validity evidence (content-related, internal structure, relationship with other variables, response processes and consequences) for CSA methods in HPE. There were no restrictions related to date of publication.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two independent reviewers completed data extraction and assessed study quality using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument. Data were reported using descriptive analysis (mean, median, range).

Results

A total of 146 eligible studies were identified, including 98 394 participants. Most studies were conducted in human medicine (124 studies) and participants were mostly undergraduate students (85 studies). Performance-based, simulated, inperson CSA was most prevalent, comprising 115 studies, of which 68 studies were objective structured clinical examination-based. Other types of methods that were reported were workplace-based assessment; asynchronous, video-based assessment; knowledge-based assessment and performance-based, simulated, virtual assessment. Included studies used a diverse range of communications skills frameworks, rating scales and raters. Internal structure was the most reported source of validity evidence (130 studies (90%), followed by content-related (108 studies (74%), relationships with other variables (86 studies (59%), response processes (15 studies (10%) and consequences (16 studies (11%).

Conclusions

This scoping review identified gaps in the sources of validity evidence related to assessment method that have been used to support the use of CSA methods. These gaps could be addressed by studies explicitly defining the communication skill construct(s) assessed, clarifying the validity source(s) reported and defining the intended purpose and use of the scores (ie, for learning and feedback, for decision making purposes). Our review provides a map where targeted CSA development and support are needed. Limitations of the evidence come from score interpretation being constrained by the heterogeneity of the definition of communication skills across the health professions and the reporting quality of the studies.

Māori nurse practitioners: The intersection of patient safety and culturally safe care from an Indigenous lens

Abstract

Background

Dynamic and complex health systems require innovative and adaptive solutions to support patient safety and achieve equitable health outcomes for Indigenous populations. Understanding the ways by which Indigenous (and specifically Māori) nurse practitioners (NPs) practice patient safety is key to enhancing Indigenous health outcomes in predominantly westernized healthcare systems.

Aim

To describe Māori NPs perspectives on patient safety when caring for Māori and understand how Māori NPs deliver safe health care.

Methodology

A group of five Māori NPs worked alongside a Māori nurse researcher to explore their perceptions of patient safety. Together, they held an online hui (focus group) in early 2024. Data were analysed collectively, informed by kaupapa Māori principles, using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Māori NP experiences, expressions and understandings of patient safety envelop cultural safety and have many facets that are specific to the needs of Māori populations. The three themes showed: (1) Te hanga a te mahi: the intersection of cultural and clinical expertise; (2) Mātauranga tuku iho: the knowledge from within, where safe practice was strongly informed by traditional knowledge and cultural practice; (3) Te Ao hurihuri: walking in two worlds, where Māori NPs navigated the westernized health system's policies and practices while acting autonomously to advocate for and deliver culturally safe care.

Conclusion

The Māori NP lens on patient safety is vital for promoting culturally responsive and effective health care. By recognizing the unique needs of Māori patients and families and incorporating cultural perspectives into practice, Māori NPs contribute to a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to patient safety that goes beyond westernized principles and practices.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Study protocol for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial in Belgian primary care and hospital settings on the effectiveness of an eHealth self-management support programme consisting of pain education and coaching of activity needs in breast cancer surv

Por: De Groef · A. · Dams · L. · Moseley · G. L. · Heathcote · L. C. · Wiles · L. K. · Catley · M. · Vogelzang · A. · Hibbert · P. · Morlion · B. · Van Overbeke · M. · Tack · E. · Van Dijck · S. · Devoogdt · N. · Gursen · C. · De Paepe · A. L. · Mertens · M. · van Olmen · J. · Willem · L. · Tja
Introduction

Persistent pain after finishing breast cancer treatment is a common and disabling problem. The current state-of-the-art pain management advocates, in addition to biomedical (non-)pharmacological approaches, a biopsychosocial rehabilitation approach to address persistent pain, combining pain science education with promoting an active lifestyle through self-regulation techniques. We propose testing an innovative eHealth self-management support programme for this purpose in the breast cancer population with persistent pain after finishing cancer treatment. This delivery mode is believed to reduce barriers to pain self-management by providing timely, safe and cost-effective assistance addressing the biopsychosocial needs of patients. Utilising a chatbot format, the eHealth programme delivers pain science education and promotes physical activity (PA), personalised through decision-tree-based algorithms to support pain self-management. The programme aims to empower patients with understanding, coping skills and self-management techniques to reduce pain-related disability and enhance participation in daily life. The primary objective is to determine programme effectiveness compared with (1) usual care (superiority) and (2) a similar face-to-face pain self-management support programme (non-inferiority).

Methods and analysis

A pragmatic, three-arm randomised controlled trial was started in April 2024 at the University Hospitals of Antwerp and Leuven and primary care settings in Belgium. Participants are breast cancer survivors with persistent pain after finishing cancer treatment. Two hundred seventy participants will be randomised to one of three trial arms: (1) eHealth self-management support programme, (2) usual care or (3) a face-to-face self-management support programme. The ‘eHealth self-management support programme’ begins with a pain science education (PSE) module to initially convey key pain-related concepts and provide personalised pain management tips. Then, the programme progresses to daily activity planning to promote an active lifestyle. Guided by the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model, participants set and review daily activity goals and track progress. The eHealth self-management programme uses a chatbot and is accessible on any digital device. The ‘usual care programme’ involves sending the participants a study-specific brochure by postal mail and does not include any formal PSE and/or PA programmes. They may pursue or continue self-initiated care. In Belgium, usual care primarily involves pharmacological treatment, general advice on PA and the provision of informational brochures. The ‘face-to-face self-management support programme’ mirrors the eHealth intervention, combining PSE with PA coaching. It starts with three individual sessions with a trained physical therapist for biopsychosocial assessment and PSE, followed by six sessions on goal setting and active lifestyle coaching. The educational content is delivered both verbally and in written form. The primary outcome will be pain-related disability 6 months after baseline assessment. As a key secondary outcome, the effect on pain beliefs and attitudes will be investigated after the educational part of the eHealth and face-to-face programme (ie, at 6 weeks after baseline). Other secondary outcomes related to other dimensions of pain and physical-, psychosocial- and health-economic outcomes will be assessed at 12 weeks and 6 and 12 months after baseline as well.

Ethics and dissemination

The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (2024). The protocol has been approved by the ethical committee of the University Hospitals of Leuven and Antwerp. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations at congresses. Ethical Committee of the University Hospitals Leuven and Antwerp: BUN B3002023000132.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06308029.

Protocol for development of a checklist and guideline for transparent reporting of cluster analyses (TRoCA)

Por: Lisik · D. · Shah · S. A. · Basna · R. · Dinh · T. · Browne · R. P. · Andrews · J. L. · Wallace · M. · Ezugwu · A. · Marusic · A. · Tran · D. · Torres-Sospedra · J. · Dam · H.-C. · Fournier-Viger · P. · Hennig · C. · Timmerman · M. · Warrens · M. J. · Ceulemans · E. · Nwaru · B. I. · Herna
Introduction

Cluster analysis, a machine learning-based and data-driven technique for identifying groups in data, has demonstrated its potential in a wide range of contexts. However, critical appraisal and reproducibility are often limited by insufficient reporting, ultimately hampering the interpretation and trust of key stakeholders. The present paper describes the protocol that will guide the development of a reporting guideline and checklist for studies incorporating cluster analyses—Transparent Reporting of Cluster Analyses.

Methods and analysis

Following the recommended steps for developing reporting guidelines outlined by the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research Network, the work will be divided into six stages. Stage 1: literature review to guide development of initial checklist. Stage 2: drafting of the initial checklist. Stage 3: internal revision of checklist. Stage 4: Delphi study in a global sample of researchers from varying fields (n=) to derive consensus regarding items in the checklist and piloting of the checklist. Stage 5: consensus meeting to consolidate checklist. Stage 6: production of statement paper and explanation and elaboration paper. Stage 7: dissemination via journals, conferences, social media and a dedicated web platform.

Ethics and dissemination

Due to local regulations, the planned study is exempt from the requirement of ethical review. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. The checklist with explanations will also be made available freely on a dedicated web platform (troca-statement.org) and in a repository.

Feasibility and acceptability of point-of-care ultrasound delivered by midwives during routine antenatal care in Malawi: a prospective implementation science study

Por: Payesa · C. · Seyama · L. · Chimwaza · Y. · Sindani · F. · Kanise · Y. · Bvutula · E. · Phiri · M. · Nyangulu · P. · Gadama · L. · Kachale · F. · Gadama · G. · Mwale · M. · Yenokyan · G. · Sripad · P. · Hyre · A. · Noguchi · L. M. · Dadabhai · S.
Objectives

To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of integrating point-of-care ultrasound scan (POCUS) by midwives into routine antenatal care (ANC) services.

Design

Prospective, observational, multiphase, implementation science study.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcomes included the proportion of midwives who completed training and competency checks for basic obstetric scanning using a POCUS device; the feasibility and acceptability of midwife-delivered POCUS from the perspectives of midwives and pregnant women captured on structured questionnaires; and the proportion of scans meeting predefined quality standards. Secondary outcomes included responses to acceptability-related questionnaires administered to midwives and pregnant women.

Setting

Rural, periurban and urban health centres in Blantyre District, Malawi.

Participants

Pregnant women attending ANC and midwives providing care at participating health facilities.

Results

Obstetric registrars trained and mentored 45 midwives, and 42 (93%) completed the training. Most midwives (95%, n=40) found providing POCUS during ANC was feasible and acceptable. Overall, device durability was rated positively. Of the 1499 pregnant women who received a scan, 99% (n=1484) reported that receiving an ultrasound from a midwife during ANC was acceptable. Independent assessors determined that over 70% of the subsample of reviewed scans met minimum quality standards.

Conclusions

Midwife-delivered POCUS is feasible and highly acceptable in diverse antenatal settings in Malawi. These findings support task-sharing models as a means of expanding access to this essential ANC service, particularly in low-resource settings.

The Power of a Ricoeur‐Inspired Phenomenological‐Hermeneutic Approach to Focus Group Interviews

ABSTRACT

Aim

To justify the use of focus group interviews with patients and healthcare professionals within a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach inspired by the theory of the French philosopher Paul Gustave Ricoeur.

Design and Methods

Methodological guidance and discussion grounded in Ricoeur's theory on narrative, dialogue, threefold mimesis and interpretation.

Results

This phenomenological-hermeneutical approach to focus group interviews yields significant, in-depth understandings of lived experiences from both patients and healthcare professionals.

Conclusions

Ricoeur-inspired phenomenological-hermeneutical focus group interviews with patients and healthcare professionals offer a promising approach for exploring and generating new, valuable insights into the complexities of clinical nursing practice. Thus, this paper argues for an integration of focus group interviews and a phenomenological-hermeneutical approach within nursing science.

Implications for the Profession

The approach has significant implications for nursing practice. By incorporating Ricoeur-inspired dialogue-based collective voices of patients and healthcare professionals in focus group interviews, nursing practices can be refined, leading to improved patient care and more effective clinical interventions. Thus, this approach advocates for a broader adoption of Ricoeur-inspired focus group interviews in nursing research and in health research in general to enhance the understanding and development of clinical models.

Reporting Method

No available EQUATOR guidelines were applicable to this methodological paper, as no new data were created or analysed.

Patient or Public Contribution

As this is a methodological paper, no new patient or public contributions are included.

Cervical precancer thermal ablation versus LLETZ excision comparative efficacy study in WLWH (TALL Study): protocol for a randomised clinical trial in South Africa

Por: Adams · R. A. · Kelly · H. · Van der Merwe · F. H. · Butt · J. L. · Zwanepoel · J. E. · Botha · M. H.
Background

Cervical cancer remains a significant global health concern and is the fourth most prevalent cancer among women. In South Africa, it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women aged 15–44 years. The disease is typically preceded by persistent high-risk HPV infection, leading to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and eventually cancer. Currently, in South Africa, management primarily involves excision, particularly through large loop excision of the transformation zone, which has associated risks and limitations. Thermal ablation is an alternative cost-effective treatment method, providing a straightforward approach to treatment, particularly advantageous in environments characterised by limited resources. The study aims to assess the efficacy, safety and patient experience of thermal ablation, providing valuable data for potential integration into South Africa’s cervical cancer prevention policies.

Methods

Randomised controlled trial in which 420 women living with HIV aged 30–60 years will be recruited from the Colposcopy Clinic at Tygerberg Hospital and will be followed up for a period of two years. The primary study endpoint is a test of cure that will be assessed by HPV genotyping, cervical cytology and histology at six month intervals. Other endpoints include the occurrence of adverse events.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol has been approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee of Stellenbosch University (Ethics Reference No: M20/11/035) and by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness via the National Health Research Database (WC_202109_016). All study procedures comply with the Declaration of Helsinki, South African Good Clinical Practice Guidelines and the Medical Research Council’s ethical guidelines. Trial results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, national and international conference presentations and professional associations. A lay summary will be shared with the Community Advisory Board to guide community-level dissemination.

Trial registration number

Pan African Clinical Trial Registry: PACTR202504820339039.

Canadian Adaptive Platform Trial of Treatments for COVID in Community Settings (CanTreatCOVID): protocol for a randomised controlled adaptive platform trial of treatments for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in community settings

Por: Hosseini · B. · Condon · A. · da Costa · B. R. · Daley · P. · Greiver · M. · Jüni · P. · Lee · T. C. · McBrien · K. · McDonald · E. G. · Murthy · S. · Selby · P. · Andrew · M. · Aubrey-Bassler · K. · Barber · D. · Barrett · B. · Butler · C. C. · Crampton · N. · Dahrouge · S. · Damji · A.
Introduction

SARS-CoV-2 is now endemic and expected to remain a health threat, with new variants continuing to emerge and the potential for vaccines to become less effective. While effective vaccines and natural immunity have significantly reduced hospitalisations and the need for critical care, outpatient treatment options remain limited, and real-world evidence on their clinical and cost-effectiveness is lacking. In this paper, we present the design of the Canadian Adaptive Platform Trial of Treatments for COVID in Community Settings (CanTreatCOVID). By evaluating multiple treatment options in a pragmatic adaptive platform trial, this study will generate high-quality, generalisable evidence to inform clinical guidelines and healthcare decision-making.

Methods and analysis

CanTreatCOVID is an open-label, individually randomised, multicentre, national adaptive platform trial designed to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of therapeutics for non-hospitalised SARS-CoV-2 patients across Canada. Eligible participants must present with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, confirmed by PCR or rapid antigen testing (RAT), within 5 days of symptom onset. The trial targets two groups that are expected to be at higher risk of more severe disease: (1) individuals aged 50 years and older and (2) those aged 18–49 years with one or more comorbidities. CanTreatCOVID uses numerous approaches to recruit participants to the study, including a multifaceted public communication strategy and outreach through primary care, outpatient clinics and emergency departments. Participants are randomised to receive either usual care, including supportive and symptom-based management, or an investigational therapeutic selected by the Canadian COVID-19 Outpatient Therapeutics Committee. The first therapeutic arm evaluates nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid), administered two times per day for 5 days. The second therapeutic arm investigates a combination antioxidant therapy (selenium 300 µg, zinc 40 mg, lycopene 45 mg and vitamin C 1.5 g), administered for 10 days. The primary outcome is all-cause hospitalisation or death within 28 days of randomisation.

Ethics and dissemination

The CanTreatCOVID master protocol and subprotocols have been approved by Health Canada and local research ethics boards in the participating provinces across Canada. The results of the study will be disseminated to policy-makers, presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals to ensure that findings are accessible to the broader scientific and medical communities. This study was approved by the Unity Health Toronto Research Ethics Board (#22-179) and Clinical Trials Ontario (Project ID 4133).

Trial registration number

NCT05614349

Acceptability and implementation potential of a health literacy intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening in deprived areas: A qualitative study of patients and general practitioners participating in a cluster randomized controlled trial

by Alix Boirot, Maria Claudia Addamiano, Clémence Casanova, Niamh M. Redmond, Géraldine Cazorla, Michel Rotily, Anne-Marie Schott-Petelaz, Christian Balamou, Zineb Doukhi, Myriam Kaou, Françoise Couranjou, Julien Mancini, Cyrille Delpierre, Marie-Anne Durand, Aurore Lamouroux

Background

Colorectal cancer (CCR) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Early detection remains a highly effective strategy for curing this disease. In France, despite a free organised screening programme for people aged between 50 and 74, participation rates remain suboptimal. Socioeconomic position and health literacy levels exacerbate the situation, with the lowest screening rates observed in the most socially disadvantaged areas. This study assessed patients’ and General Practitioners’ (GP) views on the acceptability of an intervention to increase screening uptake using a simple brochure and video on the importance and process of CCR screening.

Method

We conducted a cross-sectional qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with patients (n = 24) and GPs (n = 22) who used or participated in the DECODE project intervention. The interviews were conducted by telephone or videoconference and analysed thematically using Nvivo software and dual independent coding.

Results

95% of GPs expressed a clear preference for the video over the brochure. Patients had varied results with 50% preferring the video, as it demonstrated how to do the test, versus the brochure. The humorous and de-dramatising aspects of the video were the two key factors highlighted by interviewees. However, support from healthcare staff (GPs, nurses, etc.) is still essential, in supporting patients in prevention. This presents a challenge for GPs, who are frequently constrained by time limitations during consultations.

Conclusion

Our findings emphasize the need to tailor promotional materials for both patients and healthcare professionals to improve CCR screening uptake, balancing digital efficiency with maintaining core human relationships in healthcare. Such intervention can be integrated into different workflows. The addition of video into national CRC screening programs might also help. Targeting CRC screening interventions at provider-patient interactions, ensuring they are tailored, accessible, and engaging, is key to reducing disparities.

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