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Percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting and mortality from acute myocardial infarction in EU15+ countries, 2006-2020: a secondary analysis of the OECD database

Por: Ojha · U. · Marshall · D. C. · Hammond-Haley · M. · Salciccioli · J. D. · Shalhoub · J. · Hartley · A.
Objective

Coronary revascularisation practices have evolved over the last three decades. This study sought to examine the variations in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) rates, alongside mortality from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) across a group of 16 high-income countries between 2006 and 2020.

Design

Retrospective observational analysis using data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) database between 2006 and 2020. Estimated annual percent change in revascularisation was analysed using Joinpoint regression model, and mortality rates were evaluated using the locally weighted scatterplot smoothing model.

Setting

Publicly available data on PCI and CABG procedure rates alongside AMI mortality rate from 2006 to 2020.

Participants

16 countries from the OECD database.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main outcome measures

Standardised PCI and CABG procedure rates and AMI age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) from 2006 to 2020.

Results

Over the 15 year period, 14.0 million PCI and 2.8 million CABG procedures were collectively recorded across 16 countries. PCI rates varied among nations, but from 2006 to 2020 increased in 11 of the 16 nations overall, led by Finland (+36.0%), Ireland (+34.5%) and France (+31.5%). Meanwhile, CABG rates declined in 14 out of the 16 countries, with Luxembourg (–71.3%), the UK (–62.6%) and Finland (–60.6%) experiencing the most substantial decreases. Throughout the study period, the PCI-to-CABG ratio increased, while AMI ASMR decreased consistently across all countries.

Conclusions

Despite evidence supporting CABG over PCI in specific scenarios, CABG rates have declined, and PCI rates have increased. Possible factors for this trend may include patient preference and advancement in interventional techniques. The varied use of PCI among these nations, alongside a sustained decline in AMI mortality rates, may be expected given the importance of optimal medical therapy in the management of ischaemic heart disease. The results further suggest the significance of factors beyond revascularisation in driving improved outcomes.

How do musculoskeletal disorders impact on quality of life in Tanzania? Results from a community-based survey

Por: Grieve · E. · Deidda · M. · Krauth · S. J. · Biswaro · S. M. · Halliday · J. E. B. · Hsieh · P.-H. · Kelly · C. · Kilonzo · K. · Kiula · K. P. · Kolimba · R. · Msoka · E. F. · Siebert · S. · Walker · R. · Yongolo · N. M. · Mmbaga · B. · McIntosh · E. · NIHR Global Health Group · Biswaro
Objectives

There are little available data on the prevalence, economic and quality of life impacts of musculoskeletal disorders in sub-Saharan Africa. This lack of evidence is wholly disproportionate to the significant disability burden of musculoskeletal disorders as reported in high-income countries. Our research aimed to undertake an adequately powered study to identify, measure and value the health impact of musculoskeletal conditions in the Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania.

Design

A community-based cross-sectional survey was undertaken between January 2021 and September 2021. A two-stage cluster sampling with replacement and probability proportional to size was used to select a representative sample of the population.

Setting

The survey was conducted in 15 villages in the Hai District, Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania.

Participants

Economic and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaires were administered to a sample of residents (aged over 5 years old) in selected households (N=1050). There were a total of 594 respondents, of whom 153 had a confirmed musculoskeletal disorder and 441 matched controls. Almost three-quarters of those identified as having a musculoskeletal disorder were female and had an average age of 66 years.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Questions on healthcare resource use, expenditure and quality of life were administered to all participants, with additional more detailed economic and quality of life questions administered to those who screened positive, indicating probable arthritis.

Results

There is a statistically significant reduction in HRQOL, on average 25% from a utility score of 0.862 (0.837, 0.886) to 0.636 (0.580, 0.692) for those identified as having a musculoskeletal disorder compared with those without. The attributes ‘pain’ and ‘discomfort’ were the major contributors to this reduction in HRQOL.

Conclusions

This research has revealed a significant impact of musculoskeletal conditions on HRQOL in the Hai district in Tanzania. The evidence will be used to guide clinical health practices, interventions design, service provisions and health promotion and awareness activities at institutional, regional and national levels.

Implementation of an Australian helpline for low back pain: protocol of a type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial

Por: Zouch · J. · Roberts · K. · Bauman · A. · Jentz · H. · Ho · E. K. · Hodges · P. · Maher · C. · Baysari · M. T. · Thompson · J. · Calder · R. · Luscombe · G. · Ceprnja · D. · Maka · K. · Tian · Y. · Chen · Y. · Chen · M. · Mork · P. J. · Li · Q. · Wise · S. · Gilbert · M. · Hall · M. · Ferreira
Introduction

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading contributor to disability globally. It has a substantial impact on the lives of those who experience it, and places considerable economic burden on healthcare systems. Despite these impacts, and the consistency of guideline recommendations, many individuals do not receive recommended LBP management. Structural barriers to accessing timely, evidence-based care, as well as public uncertainty about where to seek appropriate management, can influence the care individuals receive. Telephone and digitally based helplines assist to overcome many traditional barriers to accessing care and offer a scalable platform to improve the delivery of guideline recommended management for LBP. However, uptake of such services can be limited without targeted promotion and patient-centred design. This project aims to codesign, implement and evaluate an upgraded component of an existing Australian helpline service, tailored for people with back pain and supported by a media awareness campaign. This protocol outlines the codesign process, implementation and planned evaluation of the helpline.

Methods and analyses

This protocol uses three complementary frameworks—an iterative codesign process, the Practical Robust Implementation Sustainability Model, and the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance framework—to guide the codesign and development, implementation and evaluation of an upgraded helpline for people with LBP. The codesign process involves key stakeholders, including consumers and clinicians, to inform the development and implementation of both the upgraded helpline service and the media campaign to raise awareness and uptake of the helpline. Data sources will include a pre–post cohort of helpline service users, routinely collected service data (eg, monthly call rate) and health system data to evaluate the broader population level impact (eg, rates of emergency department presentations for LBP in the Australian region targeted by the media campaign). Implementation evaluation will include Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance as well as internal and external environmental factors that influence the success of these outcome measures.

Ethics and dissemination

The project was approved by the University of Sydney’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HE001081). This project involves collaboration with consumers, clinicians and other stakeholders to interpret, translate and disseminate research findings to relevant audiences.

How can we improve migrant health checks in UK primary care: 'Health Catch-UP! a protocol for a participatory intervention development study

Por: Carter · J. · Knights · F. · Mackey · K. · Deal · A. · Hassan · E. · Trueba · J. · Jayawardhena · N. · Alfred · J. · Al-Sharabi · I. · Ciftci · Y. · Aspray · N. · Harris · P. · Jayakumar · S. · Seedat · F. · Sanchez-Clemente · N. · Hall · R. · Majeed · A. · Harris · T. · Requena Mendez · A.
Introduction

Global migration has steadily risen, with 16% of the UK population born abroad. Migrants (defined here as foreign-born individuals) face unique health risks, including potential higher rates and delays in diagnosis of infectious and non-communicable diseases, compounded by significant barriers to healthcare. UK Public Health guidelines recommend screening at-risk migrants, but primary care often faces significant challenges in achieving this, exacerbating health disparities. The Health Catch-UP! tool was developed as a novel digital, multidisease screening and catch-up vaccination solution to support primary care to identify at-risk adult migrants and offer individualised care. The tool has been shown to be acceptable and feasible and to increase migrant health screening in previous studies, but to facilitate use in routine care requires the development of an implementation package. This protocol describes the development and optimisation of an implementation package for Health Catch-UP! following the person-based approach (PBA), a participatory intervention development methodology, and evaluates our use of this methodological approach for migrant participants.

Methods and analysis

Through engagement with both migrants and primary healthcare professionals (approximately 80–100 participants) via participatory workshops, focus groups and think-aloud interviews, the study aims to cocreate a comprehensive Health Catch-UP! implementation package. This package will encompass healthcare professional support materials, patient resources and potential Health Catch-UP! care pathways (delivery models), developed through iterative refinement based on user feedback and behavioural theory. The study will involve three linked phases (1) planning: formation of an academic–community coalition and cocreation of guiding principles, logic model and intervention planning table, (2) intervention development: focus groups and participatory workshops to coproduce prototype implementation materials and (3) intervention optimisation: think-aloud interviews to iteratively refine the final implementation package. An embedded mixed-methods evaluation of how we used the PBA will allow shared learning from the use of this methodology within the migrant health context.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval granted by the St George’s University Research Ethics Committee (REC reference: 2024.0191). A community celebration event will be held to recognise contributions and to demonstrate impact.

Psychometric Evaluations of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture Version 2.0 in Ethiopia (E-HSoPSC 2.0): A Cross-Sectional Study

Por: Fekadu · G. · Marshall · A. P. · Muir · R. · Tobiano · G. · Ireland · M. J.
Objectives

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSoPSC) version 2.0 in Ethiopian public hospitals.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Settings

Five public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia.

Participants

Healthcare professionals (N=582).

Main outcome measure

An adapted and contextualised version of HSoPSC 2.0 was used to conduct structural validity using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA). Convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated through item loadings and interfactor correlations, respectively. Reliability was measured using McDonald’s omega and Cronbach’s alpha.

Results

CFA indicated a poor model fit for the original 10-factor, 32-item HSoPSC 2.0 across all statistical indices: relative chi-square (²/df=7.71), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA=0.108), standardised root mean square residual (SRMR=0.088), comparative fit index (CFI=0.814) and Tucker-Lewis’s index (TLI=0.780). Consequently, a comprehensive EFA was conducted, which identified a revised model comprising 5-factor, 21-item. This model accounted for 62.8% of the total variance and demonstrated strong construct validity, with excellent fit indices (²/df=3.67, RMSEA=0.068, SRMR=0.034, CFI=0.969, TLI=0.945). Internal consistency, assessed via McDonald’s omega and Cronbach’s alpha, exceeded the acceptable threshold of 0.70 across all dimensions, except for Response to Error (0.66). The convergent and discriminant validity of the new model was confirmed, ensuring an accurate representation of the underlying constructs.

Conclusions

The original HSoPSC 2.0 with 10-factor, 32-item failed to demonstrate structural validity in the Ethiopian healthcare context. In contrast, a revised 5-factor, 21-item model showed strong validity and acceptable reliability. This adapted version provides a culturally and contextually relevant tool for assessing patient safety culture in Ethiopian healthcare settings.

The Health Survey of Sao Paulo - ISA-Physical Activity and Environment Longitudinal Study

Por: Florindo · A. A. · Onita · B. M. · Teixeira · I. P. · Miranda · A. M. · Hallal · P. C.
Purpose

The main objective of the Health Survey of São Paulo or Inquérito de Saúde de São Paulo (ISA) in Portuguese, is to generate health indicators to support research and policy planning. The ISA-Physical Activity and Environment Longitudinal Study has the primary objective of examining built and social environmental determinants of leisure-time physical activity and active transportation.

Participants

The baseline (2014–2015) study included 4042 participants aged 12 years and older, men and women, living across the five regions of São Paulo city. Data were collected through household interviews. The second wave (2020–2021) used telephone interviews and included 1434 participants aged 18 or older, 58.6% female and representing 35% of the baseline sample. The third wave (2023–2024) included 1583 participants through household or telephone interviews, 58.6% of female and represented 39% of the original cohort.

Findings to date

The study has collected extensive individual-level data, including physical activity behaviours, health status and related behaviours, self-report of diseases and sociodemographic characteristics; built environment features such as public open spaces, transport infrastructure, schools and healthcare facilities, walkability index, sidewalks, traffic control and social environment features, such as crime occurrence and socioeconomic index. Analyses have identified changes in the built environment and their associations with physical activity and obesity. Infrastructure improvements, such as the increase of bike paths and outdoor gyms, have been more frequent in wealthier areas, reinforcing spatial inequalities. Increased availability of public open spaces has been associated with increased leisure-time walking. Obesity has shown a growing trend, particularly among specific sociodemographic groups, while physical activity has demonstrated protective effects against obesity. Cycling for transportation has remained stable over time, with disparities by gender and physical activity status.

Future plans

The plan is to conduct the fourth wave in 2026 and 2027 and the fifth wave in 2029 and 2030.

Culturally tailored interventions in adults with obesity: a protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis and qualitative evidence synthesis

Por: Anoma · O. Q. · Hall · W. · Villemonteix · J. · Canfell · O. J. · Duncan · A.
Introduction

Obesity disproportionately affects ethnic minority populations due to structural inequalities, such as limited access to healthy food, inadequate healthcare and systemic racism. Universal weight management programmes often fail to meet the unique needs of ethnic minority populations. These universal interventions may lead to lower engagement and poorer health outcomes compared with those observed in non-minoritised ethnic groups. This systematic review will examine the impact of culturally tailored interventions to treat and manage obesity in adult ethnic minority populations on weight- and health-related outcomes (meta-analysis) and patient experience (qualitative evidence synthesis).

Methods and analysis

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines will be followed. Interventions of interest will include standalone or multicomponent behavioural interventions with culturally tailored elements of design or delivery. These will be compared against standard weight management interventions or usual care in adults from ethnic minority populations living with obesity. The primary outcome is the mean percentage weight (kg) change between pre–post interventions. A search of databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science) was conducted in February 2025. Eligible studies include randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental (non-randomised trials, pre–post interventions) and qualitative research. Risk of bias will be assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Narrative synthesis will be performed according to the synthesis without meta-analysis guidelines. For eligible RCTs, a random-effects meta-analysis will calculate pooled effect sizes between pre–post intervention using standardised mean differences, with additional sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Qualitative evidence synthesis will be performed using semi-automated text analytics (unsupervised machine learning) and inductive thematic analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications, conference presentations, professional organisations and patient and public networks.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42025636750.

Perceptions of an AI-based clinical decision support tool for prescribing in multiple long-term conditions: a qualitative study of general practice clinicians in England

Por: dElia · A. · Morris · S. G. · Cooper · J. · Nirantharakumar · K. · Jackson · T. · Marshall · T. · Fitzsimmons · L. · Jackson · L. J. · Crowe · F. · Haroon · S. · Greenfield · S. · Hathaway · E.
Background

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) are currently being developed to aid prescribing in primary care. There is a lack of research on how these systems will be perceived and used by healthcare professionals and subsequently on how to optimise the implementation process of AI-based CDSSs (AICDSSs).

Objectives

To explore healthcare professionals’ perspectives on the use of an AICDSS for prescribing in co-existing multiple long-term conditions (MLTC), and the relevance to shared decision making (SDM).

Design

Qualitative study using template analysis of semistructured interviews, based on a case vignette and a mock-up of an AICDSS.

Setting

Healthcare professionals prescribing for patients working in the English National Health Service (NHS) primary care in the West Midlands region.

Participants

A purposive sample of general practitioners/resident doctors (10), nurse prescribers (3) and prescribing pharmacists (2) working in the English NHS primary care.

Results

The proposed tool generated interest among the participants. Findings included the perception of the tool as user friendly and as a valuable complement to existing clinical guidelines, particularly in a patient population with multiple long-term conditions and polypharmacy, where existing guidelines may be inadequate. Concerns were raised about integration into existing clinical documentation systems, medicolegal aspects, how to interpret findings that were inconsistent with clinical guidelines, and the impact on patient-prescriber relationships. Views differed on whether the tool would aid SDM.

Conclusion

AICDSSs such as the OPTIMAL tool hold potential for optimising pharmaceutical treatment in patients with MLTC. However, specific issues related to the tool need to be addressed and careful implementation into the existing clinical practice is necessary to realise the potential benefits.

Protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial of the Pharmacy Homeless Outreach Engagement Non-medical and Independent Prescriber (PHOENIx) intervention for people facing severe and multiple disadvantages

Por: Lowrie · R. · McPherson · A. · Moir · J. · McGilvery · E. · Vickery · K. · OLoan · J. · Rushworth · G. · Paudyal · V. · Adam · A. · Thomson · E. · Rowe · A. · Ali Akbar · H. · Murphy · J. · Budd · J. · Raeburn · F. · Marshall · T. · Nelson · K. · Garstka · Z. · McKinney · E. · Melville · L.
Introduction

People experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD: homelessness, substance use and criminal offending) have multiple intersecting unmet health and social care needs and high mortality rates, often due to street-drug overdose. Pilot randomised controlled trials (RCTs) suggest an integrated, holistic, collaborative outreach intervention (Pharmacy Homeless Outreach Engagement Non-medical Independent Prescribing Rx (PHOENIx)) involving generalist-trained pharmacists, nurses or General Practitioners accompanied by staff from third sector homeless organisations may improve outcomes, including reducing overdose.

Methods

Multicentre, parallel group, prospective RCT with parallel economic and process evaluation. Set in six areas of Scotland, UK, 378 adults with SMD will be recruited and randomised (stratified by setting and previous non-fatal overdoses) to PHOENIx intervention in addition to usual care (UC) or UC. Aiming to meet participants weekly for 9–15 months, PHOENIx teams assess and address health and social care needs while referring onwards as necessary, co-ordinating care with wider health and third sector teams. During a person-centred consultation, in the participants’ choice of venue, and taking account of the participant’s priorities, the NHS clinician may prescribe, de-prescribe and treat, for example, wound care, and refer to other health services as necessary. The third sector worker may help with welfare benefit applications, social prescribing or advocacy, for example, securing stable housing. Pairings of clinicians and third sector workers support the same participants. The primary outcome is time to first fatal/non-fatal street-drug overdose at nine months. Secondary endpoints include health-related quality of life, healthcare use and criminal justice encounters. A health economic evaluation will assess cost per quality adjusted life year of PHOENIx relative to standard care. A parallel qualitative process evaluation will explore the perceptions and experiences of PHOENIx, by participants, stakeholders and PHOENIx staff.

Analysis

The primary and other time-to-event secondary outcomes will be analysed by Cox proportional hazards regression.

Ethics and dissemination

IRAS number 345246, approved 23/10/2024 by North of Scotland Research Ethics Service. Results will be shared with participants, third sector homelessness organisations, health and social care partnerships, then peer-reviewed journals and conferences worldwide, from the first quarter of 2027.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN12234059 registered on 20/2/2025 (ISRCTN).

Predictors of shared decision-making among treatment-seeking emerging adults in primary care and community addiction and mental health settings: A cross-sectional study

by Tyler Marshall, Karin Olson, Adam Abba-Aji, Xin-Min Li, Richard Lewanczuk, Sunita Vohra

Background

Shared decision-making (SDM) is a process in which healthcare providers (HCPs) and patients make health-related decisions collaboratively, guided by the best available evidence. Previous research suggests that emerging adults (aged 18–29) with mental health concerns might prefer SDM over traditional approaches; however, it remains unclear whether prevalent symptoms of anxiety, depression, or health-related quality of life (HRQL) are associated with the level of SDM that occurs during a clinical encounter.

Objective

This study explored whether prevalent symptoms of anxiety, depression or HRQL among emerging adults were associated with the perceived level of SDM involvement during a single clinic visit at a primary care or community addiction and mental health (AMH) setting.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a subset of data (emerging adults and their HCPs) obtained from an overarching study on SDM in adults (18–64 years) in Alberta, Canada. Sociodemographic data were collected and reported descriptively. SDM was the primary outcome variable and was measured dyadically (i.e., the mean score between HCPs and patients) using the Alberta Shared Decision-Making Instrument (ASK-MI). Symptoms of patient anxiety/depression and HRQL were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the EQ-5D-5L. Pearson R correlation matrices were conducted to explore relationships between SDM, anxiety/depression, HRQL, and demographic variables.

Results

Forty-two emerging adult patients and 31 HCP dyads were recruited from six community AMH settings and eight primary care settings. The mean SDM dyad rating was 8.69 (SD, ± 2.01), indicating an “excellent” level of SDM. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and HRQL were not significantly correlated with SDM dyad ratings during the clinic visit. Post hoc analyses showed that patient age was inversely related to SDM dyad ratings; R = −0.34, p = 0.03.

Discussion

In this study, emerging adults reported high levels of perceived engagement in SDM, regardless of their HRQL or symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, several limitations, such as the risk of performance bias, should be considered when interpreting these findings. To strengthen the evidence base, future research should aim to address these limitations.

Frailty and the risk of ICU-acquired infections in a randomised trial: a protocol and statistical analysis plan

Por: Fernando · S. M. · Muscedere · J. · Rochwerg · B. · Johnstone · J. · Daneman · N. · Marshall · J. C. · Lauzier · F. · Rudkowski · J. C. · Arabi · Y. M. · Heels-Ansdell · D. · Sligl · W. · Kristof · A. S. · Duan · E. · Dionne · J. C. · St-Arnaud · C. · Reynolds · S. · Khwaja · K. · Cook
Introduction

Dysregulated immunity may account for an increased risk of infection and other adverse outcomes among frail hospitalised persons. The primary objective of this study is to examine whether baseline frailty is associated with the risk of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) or other intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infections among invasively ventilated adults. Additional objectives are to examine the relationship between frailty and hospital length of stay, discharge to a long-term care facility and vital status. We hypothesise that persons with frailty compared with others would have an increased risk of VAP and other infections, a longer hospital stay, higher probability of discharge to a long-term care facility and higher mortality.

Methods and analysis

This is a preplanned secondary analysis of the PROSPECT trial (Probiotics to Prevent Severe Pneumonia and Endotracheal Colonization Trial) which enrolled patients across 44 ICUs in three countries. We will use Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to assess the association of frailty with the clinical outcomes of interest, adjusting for other baseline variables. Baseline demographic and descriptive outcome data will be reported using descriptive statistics. Regression results will be presented as adjusted HRs or ORs with 95% CIs for the associations of each independent variable with the primary, secondary and tertiary outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination

Participating hospital research ethics board approved the PROSPECT trial and data collection. The protocol for this study was approved by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board on 20 August 2015 (Project ID:19128). This study will identify whether frailty is associated with risk of VAP and other healthcare-associated infections in invasively ventilated patients, adjusted for other baseline factors. Results may be useful to patients, their caregivers, clinicians and the design of future research. Findings will be disseminated to investigators at a meeting of the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group. We will present study results at an international conference in the fields of critical care and infectious diseases, to coincide with or precede open-access peer-review publication. To aid knowledge dissemination, we will use a variety of formats. For example, for traditional and social media, we will create two different visual abstracts and infographics of our results suitable to share on clinician-facing and public-facing platforms.

Trial registration number

NCT02462590.

Understanding adverse incident responses in mental health care: a qualitative study of systems-based patient safety practices

Por: Challinor · A. · Berzins · K. · Bifarin · O. · Anderson · N. · Xavier · P. · Saini · P. · Morasae · E. K. · Nathan · R.
Background

A key part of the patient safety system is how it responds to and learns from safety incidents. To date, there is limited research on understanding system-based approaches to investigating incidents that occur within this complex interacting system.

Objectives

The aims of this study were to qualitatively explore mental health professionals’ perceptions of patient safety incident investigations; to understand the impact of the transition to systems-based approaches and to explore the influence of different elements of the system on the goals of patient safety.

Design, setting and participants

The qualitative study involved 19 semi-structured interviews with professionals working within the patient safety system across two mental health National Health Service trusts. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Those interviewed identified that a change in approach to incident investigation, from root cause analysis to systems-based, would lead to rigorous investigations that are effectively linked to learning. Over time, this was described as a contributory factor to reducing feelings of blame and positively influencing safety culture. There were considerations of potential negative effects from a systems-based approach, such as the shifting rather than elimination of blame, and the possibility of missing individual poor practice. The findings identify the presence of several interdependencies across the system that could have a positive or negative influence on the outcomes of incident responses.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the interdependencies within the system and our limited understanding of safety in mental healthcare introduces complexity and uncertainty to incident investigation outcomes. This is likely to impact on safety incident responses and learning, where acknowledging and evaluating this complexity is likely to reduce any potential negative outcomes that exist.

Integrating equity into hospital incident reporting and patient concerns systems: study protocol for a mixed methods study

Introduction

Preventable hospital patient harm events disproportionally affect certain patient populations. For some, harm extends beyond physical injury to include cultural, emotional or spiritual impacts. While these disparities are linked to socio-demographics (eg, race, education), they are driven by structural factors (eg, procedures and policies). Patient safety monitoring systems (eg, incident reporting, patient concerns) were not originally designed to identify equity-related harms and may inadvertently obscure or reinforce the injustices they should address. This study will examine how equity is currently considered within hospital incident reporting and patient concerns systems across Canada and will identify opportunities to strengthen these systems’ responsiveness to inequities in patient safety.

Methods and analysis

This 3-year exploratory sequential mixed-method study began in September 2024. Phase one involves qualitative interviews with patient safety and equity leads, patients/families/caregivers and leaders of innovative initiatives to explore current practices, gaps and innovations in how equity-related factors are identified and addressed within incident reporting and patient concerns systems. Findings will inform Phase 2, a modified Delphi process with patient safety and equity experts and persons with lived experience of equity-related harm events to refine and reach consensus on key equity-promoting features, considerations and recommendations for these systems. In Phase 3, consensus items will be used to develop a national cross-sectional survey assessing the extent to which equity is integrated into hospital incident reporting and patient concerns systems in Canada. A patient advisory committee will inform data collection, interpretation of findings and dissemination.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been received for Phase 1, with subsequent approvals to be sought for later phases. Dissemination plans include peer-reviewed publications, presentations at international conferences and knowledge exchange activities to inform patient engagement, the design of incident reporting and patient concerns systems and policy development.

Morphine for chronic breathlessness (MABEL) in the UK: a health economic evaluation of a multisite, parallel-group, dose titration, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Por: Atter · M. J. · Hall · P. · Evans · R. A. · Norrie · J. · Cohen · J. · Williams · B. · Chaudhuri · N. · Bajwah · S. · Higginson · I. · Pearson · M. · Currow · D. · Stewart · G. · Fallon · M. · Johnson · M.
Objectives

To compare costs and health consequences and to assess the cost-effectiveness of using low-dose oral long-acting morphine in people with chronic breathlessness.

Design

Within-trial planned cost-consequences and cost-effectiveness analysis of data from a multisite, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of low-dose, long-acting morphine.

Setting

11 hospital outpatients across the UK.

Participants

Consenting adults with chronic breathlessness due to long-term cardiorespiratory conditions.

Intervention

5–10 mg two times a day oral long-acting morphine with a blinded laxative for 56 days.

Primary outcome measures

Mean and SD of healthcare resource use (HRU) by trial arm; mean differences and 95% CI of costs between trial arms.

Secondary outcome measures

Mean differences in 28- and 56-day quality-adjusted life years (QALYs based on EuroQol five-dimension five-level score), Short Form-six dimensional scores and ICEpop CAPability-Supportive Care Measure scores; cost-utility of long-acting morphine for chronic breathlessness.

Results

143 participants (75 morphine and 67 placebo) were randomised; 140 (90% power, males 66%, mean age 70.5 (SD 9.4)) formed the modified intention-to-treat population (participants receiving at least one dose of study medication). There were more inpatient and fewer outpatient services used by the morphine group versus the placebo. In the base-case analysis at 56 days, long-acting morphine was associated with similar mean per-patient costs and QALYs. There was an increase of £24 (95% CI –£395 to £552) and 0.002 (95% CI –0.004 to 0.008) QALYs. Hospitalisations were the main driver of cost differences. The corresponding incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £12 000/QALY, with a probability of cost-effectiveness of 54% at a £20 000 willingness-to-pay threshold. In the scenario analysis that excluded costs of adverse events considered unrelated to long-acting morphine by site investigators and researchers, the probability of cost-effectiveness increased to 73%.

Conclusion

Oral morphine for chronic breathlessness is likely to be a cost-effective intervention provided adverse events are minimised, but the effect on outcome is small and cautious interpretation is warranted.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN87329095.

Time-varying predictors of e-cigarette and cigarette use trajectories from adolescence to emerging adulthood: a longitudinal analysis of US youth in the PATH Study, 2013-2020

Por: Stanton · C. A. · Tang · Z. · Sharma · E. · Anesetti-Rothermel · A. · Marshall · D. · Park-Lee · E. · Silveira · M. L. · Xiao · H. · Deng · L. · Lagasse · L. · Rass · O. · Lee · R. · Valverde · R. · Blanco · C. · Kimmel · H. L. · Compton · W. M. · Hyland · A. J. · Pearson · J. L.
Objective

To examine the longitudinal impact of time-varying factors on US youth’s trajectories of initiation and use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood.

Design

Longitudinal.

Setting

Nationally representative US survey, the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study.

Participants

2682 US youth (aged 16–17) at wave (W)1 of the PATH Study across six waves (2013–2020) into young adulthood (aged 22–23).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Unweighted longitudinal latent class analyses identified trajectory classes of e-cigarette and cigarette use, separately. Nationally representative weighted multinomial logistic regression analyses examined time-varying harm perceptions, substance use problems and tobacco product first tried as predictors of these trajectory classes.

Results

Five e-cigarette classes (2013–2020; 41.5% Persistent Never Use, 12.6% W5 Initiation, 19.9% W3 Initiation, 15.2% Prior Initiation, 10.8% High Frequency Past 30-Day (P30D) Use) and five cigarette classes (2013–2019; 58.6% Persistent Never Use, 11.5% W4 Initiation, 10.9% W2 Initiation, 9.6% Prior Initiation, 9.5% High Frequency P30D Use) were identified. Time-varying harm perceptions and substance use problems were associated with trajectories of initiation and use for both products. Cigarettes, cigarillos, other combustibles and any smokeless tobacco as first product tried were associated with e-cigarette initiation and/or progression to high frequency use. E-cigarettes and hookah as first product tried were associated with later cigarette initiation. High Frequency P30D Cigarette Use was less likely if the first product tried was e-cigarettes, cigarillos, hookah or any smokeless tobacco product.

Conclusions

Results reinforce the need for identification and intervention of early substance use among younger adolescents and targeted public health messaging to address changing harm perceptions and prevent initiation among older adolescents.

Barriers and facilitators to quality mental health care for forcibly displaced children and adolescents in the WHO European Region: protocol for a scoping review

Por: Dumke · L. · Nagraj · S. · Abukmail · H. · Behrendt · M. · Cinar · E. N. · Giannaki · A. · Hall · J. · Razai · M. S. · Schäfer · I. · Whyatt · G. · Chatburn · E.
Introduction

Forcibly displaced children and adolescents in the WHO European Region have high mental health needs, yet few manage to access mental health services and even fewer receive high-quality care. Addressing this gap is crucial, as inadequate mental health support has profound and lasting negative effects on individuals, families and communities. This scoping review aims to identify and synthesise the available evidence on the barriers and facilitators to quality mental healthcare for forcibly displaced children and adolescents in the WHO European Region.

Methods and analysis

Quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method studies that examine barriers and facilitators of quality mental healthcare for forcibly displaced children and adolescents in the WHO European Region will be included. Eligible participants include forcibly displaced children and adolescents, mental healthcare providers, policymakers and humanitarian actors in the mental health and psychosocial support field. We will adhere to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. A comprehensive search of databases, including Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science, will be conducted. We will systematically search for relevant studies published between January 2004 and December 2024. At least two reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts and full texts. Data extraction will involve systematically charting relevant information from included studies. We will use the WHO Quality Standards for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services as an analytical lens to map the evidence. Our study will provide a comprehensive overview of the barriers and facilitators to quality mental healthcare for forcibly displaced children and adolescents, and identify knowledge gaps and areas for potential quality improvement.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval will not be required since this study will retrieve data from already published research and no new data will be collected. The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international conferences in order to disseminate to academic and non-academic stakeholders such as non-governmental organisations, government bodies and community organisations involved in mental healthcare for forcibly displaced persons.

Review registration details

https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/AK74F.

Cohort profile: the Maharashtra Anaemia Study 3 (MAS 3)--a maternal-child cohort study up to age 18 years in India

Por: Benavente · M. T. · Geifman · N. · Bath · S. C. · Ahmadi · K. R. · Fogarty · A. W. · Marshall · C. · Ray · S. · Tata · L. J. · Yajnik · C. · Ahankari · A.
Purpose

The Maharashtra Anaemia Study 3 (MAS 3) aims to (1) Investigate the nutritional, environmental, and economic impacts on haemoglobin concentration/anaemia, (2) Identify the underlying micronutrient causes of anaemia and (3) Investigate the association between anaemia and physical and cognitive development of Indian children during their first 18 years of life. This paper introduces the MAS 3 cohort, which consists of data collected from the participants in the prospective Pune Maternal Nutrition Study from the antenatal period to children at 18 years of age (1996–2014) in the Maharashtra state, India.

Participants

Recruitment of 2466 married non-pregnant women, and their husbands, took place between June 1994 and April 1996 in six villages, approximately 50 km from Pune city in India. Women were followed up monthly to identify those who became pregnant. A total of 797 pregnant women were followed up for data collection at or near gestational week 18 and 28, with further data collection for women and children occurring within 72 hours of delivery, for both live and stillbirths. Of the 797 women, 710 were included in the MAS 3 cohort, and long-term follow-up of children occurred at 6 years, 12 years and 18 years of age.

Findings to date

In the MAS 3 cohort, most mothers (73%) were aged between 18 and 25 years at the time of their final prepregnancy visit (baseline), and half (55%) belonged to families of middle-upper socioeconomic status (SES). At the children’s baseline (birth) visit, children had a mean birth weight of 2630 g (SD: 376), with one third (31%) of low birth weight. At the 6-year, 12-year and 18-year follow-up visits, data were available for 706 (99%), 689 (97%) and 694 (98%) children.

Future plans

MAS 3 will be used to address a number of research objectives, including (1) Trends of haemoglobin and anaemia-related micronutrients from age 6 to 18 years, (2) Micronutrient causes of anaemia during childhood, (3) Prevalence and risk factors for maternal anaemia and childhood anaemia, (4) Impact of maternal anaemia on immediate birth outcomes and (5) Intergenerational risk factors associated with anaemia.

Becoming fathers, becoming caregivers: A qualitative exploration of intersectional influences shaping caregiving in an urban poor South Indian setting

by Eunice Lobo, Joshua Jeong, Giridhara Rathnaiah Babu, Debarati Mukherjee, Onno C. P. van Schayck, Prashanth Nuggehalli Srinivas

Background

Caregiver engagement is crucial for early child development; however, research on paternal involvement remains limited, particularly in urban settings of the Global South. This exploratory study aimed to understand how fathers’ lived experiences and aspirations, along with systemic inequities, shape their parenting practices in urban poor settings in Bangalore, South India.

Methods

Ten fathers of children aged 4–6 years from low socio-economic backgrounds in the MAASTHI birth cohort were purposively selected for in-depth interviews, conducted using a pre-tested topic guide in Hindi and Kannada. All interviews were transcribed, translated, and analysed using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

Fathers prioritized their children’s education and safety, often viewing financial provision as their primary role due to ingrained gender norms and economic hardship. Most worked long hours in informal employment, thereby limiting their participation in daily caregiving, which was typically handled by their mothers. Fathers’ own childhood experiences influenced their parenting, with those who experienced adversity often aiming to break intergenerational cycles by being more emotionally present and supportive. While structural barriers limited involvement, many fathers expressed a strong desire to be more engaged, thereby challenging traditional roles. Safety concerns in their neighbourhoods further shaped protective parenting practices. Despite these constraints, some fathers reported that they preferred spending time with their families and participated in co-parenting through shared decision-making and engaging in play.

Conclusion

This study highlights the intersectionality between gender, socio-economic status, and intergenerational adversity in shaping fathering practices. To promote inclusive caregiving, early childhood programmes must actively include fathers and address both individual and structural barriers that constrain their involvement.

Retention and Completion of a Doctoral Nursing Programme: Sense Making Through Collective Reflection

ABSTRACT

Introduction

This discussion paper explores the group experience of a cohort of eight nurses completing our university's first professional nursing doctorate programme.

Aims

This paper aims to make sense of our shared experience and to contribute to what is known about doctoral study by sharing our insights.

Design

Discursive paper.

Methods

Through individual and group reflections on our experience, we address the questions ‘why did we stay’? and ‘how do we make sense of the fact that we all, as a group, successfully completed the programme’? We drew on principles of collaborative and collective auto-ethnography to guide our group reflexivity in response to these questions.

Findings

The main reasons we gave for staying were: (i) commitment, which had three strands - ‘proving’, ‘obligation’ and ‘self-determination’ - and (ii) shared-identity and common humanity. The two further elements that helped us make sense of our cohort's completion were (i) the joy of learning together and (ii) professional friendship and Socratic inquiry.

Conclusion

As the first programme cohort for the nursing doctorate in our area, we became a close and supportive group, which we argue contributed to our success. We ascribed this to our characteristics as doctoral students and the creation of a sisterhood reminiscent of a community of practice. We also acknowledged the importance of the WhatsApp platform in facilitating group cohesion, and the sense of reflexive closure brought by the process of reflection at the end of our programme.

Implications for Doctoral Education in Nursing

We recommend that doctoral cohorts, supervisors, and teaching teams systematically plan opportunities into programmes for organic relationship development and consider how the literature on communities of practice and academic persistence might support academic development. Academic staff could also encourage students to set up an online communication channel such as WhatsApp or similar at an early stage in their programmes and give particular consideration to closure and transition to post-doctoral practice on completion of professional doctorates.

First‐line managers' experience of guideline implementation during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Aim(s)

To explore first-line managers' experience of guideline implementation in orthopaedic care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

A descriptive, qualitative study.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with 30 first-line nursing and rehabilitation managers in orthopaedic healthcare at university, regional and local hospitals. The interviews were analysed by thematic analysis.

Results

First-line managers described the implementation of guidelines related to the pandemic as different from everyday knowledge translation, with a swifter uptake and time freed from routine meetings in order to support staff in adoption and adherence. The urgent need to address the crisis facilitated guideline implementation, even though there were specific pandemic-related barriers such as staffing and communication issues. An overarching theme, Hanging on to guidelines for dear life, is substantiated by three themes: Adapting to facilitate change, Anchoring safety through guidelines and Embracing COVID guidelines.

Conclusion

A health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic can generate enabling elements for guideline implementation in healthcare, despite prevailing or new hindering components. The experience of guideline implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic can improve understanding of context aspects that can benefit organizations in everyday translation of evidence into practice.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Recognizing what enabled guideline implementation in a health crisis can help first-line managers to identify local enabling context elements and processes. This can facilitate future guideline implementation.

Impact

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare context and staff's motivation for guideline recognition and adoption changed. Resources and ways to bridge barriers in guideline implementation emerged, although specific challenges arose. Nursing managers can draw on experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic to support implementation of new evidence-based practices in the future.

Reporting Method

This study adheres to the EQUATOR guidelines by using Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR).

No Patient or Public Contribution.

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