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Commentary on: Reason M, Acton K, Foulds D. Working it out together: Lessons and insights into inclusive research in an arts context. British Journal of Learning Disabilities 2024:1–11.
Implications for practice and research Inclusive research places a strong emphasis on the active empowered participation, particularly in decision-making and agenda-setting, of marginalised/disadvantaged community members in every step of the research process. Implementation research needs to focus on how research methodologies can be democratised through a continuous commitment to allyship with marginalised/disadvantaged populations towards empowered involvement.
Research in the field of learning disabilities has been influenced by ableist practices, often excluding individuals with learning disabilities and autism from the research process. This exclusionary tradition, which also has been observed in research with other marginalised/disadvantaged groups, has diminished their capacity to drive change within their communities.
Leishmaniases are a group of vector-borne diseases caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania, which are renowned for increasing global spread due to factors like climate change, globalisation, urbanisation and migration. Leishmaniasis is classified as a neglected tropical disease but is endemic in several areas of the Mediterranean Basin, including Italy, where Leishmania infantum is most involved as the parasite, phlebotomine sand fly as the vector and dog as the principal reservoir. Effective surveillance of communicable infectious diseases is a goal worldwide for organisations such as the WHO and for local and national governments but is an unfulfilled objective. Even in Italy and particularly in the region of Tuscany, despite mandatory reporting, significant gaps each year are identified between reported cases and hospital admissions. By estimating the underreporting of confirmed human leishmaniasis cases, this protocol aims to suggest actions to strengthen the current epidemiological surveillance system to enable timely and effective public health intervention in human and veterinary populations.
This retrospective multicentre study, conducted in the Central Tuscany Health District, the most populous area of the Tuscany region with approximately 1.6 million inhabitants, is based on the analysis of data collected from 2014 to 2024 using diagnostic laboratory, hospital and regional information system sources. The primary objective is to estimate the degree of underreporting of leishmaniasis in this area through the application of capture-recapture models. The secondary objective is to analyse the clinical and demographic characteristics of individuals diagnosed as confirmed leishmaniasis cases between January 2014 and December 2024, as well as to perform a geolocation analysis of the cases. The study includes the entire population, both adult and paediatric, of the Central Tuscany Health District who underwent laboratory testing for leishmaniasis (serological tests identifying the presence of antibodies; parasitological examination with evidence of amastigotes in aspirates, smears or biopsy sections; culture examination of aspirates, biopsies and/or peripheral blood positive for the presence of promastigotes; identification of Leishmania nucleic acid in aspirates, biopsies and/or peripheral blood samples via molecular diagnosis).
The study is being conducted in accordance with the protocol approved by the Ethics Committee of the Tuscany Region – Pediatrics Section, in November 2024. Ethics Committee opinion register number: 219/2024. Because the study uses only pseudonymised, routinely collected administrative and laboratory data with no direct patient contact or intervention, individual informed consent was not required, as confirmed by the Ethics Committee. Findings will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, presented at international conferences and presented at stakeholder workshops.
Genome Canada has committed significant resources to ensure that racialised groups are included in its initiatives; however, specific equity considerations related to engaging these communities in human genomic research continue to require deeper attention and exploration. This scoping review aims to widen the frame of analysis concerning inclusive human genomics by undertaking a synthesis that includes perspectives from genomicists, decision and policymakers, legal experts in bioethics and leaders from racialised communities.
We conducted a comprehensive scoping review using the Arksey and O’Malley framework to examine the equitable participation of racialised communities in human genomic research.
Our goal was to identify the barriers preventing these populations from equally participating in human genomic research. The review focused on studies from five countries: Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia and New Zealand which have similar immigration patterns and have received racialised populations from from some of the same communities around the globe. These features makes studying these particular countries germane to studying the common challenges they face in human genomics research.
Our scoping review examined both academic and grey literature, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO (inception to 11 June 2025), CINAHL (to 12 June 2025) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (to 19 June 2025), as well as Google Scholar and OAISter (October, 2023).
Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic synthesis guidelines. These included familiarisation with the relevant texts in the selected articles, generating initial codes using an inductive approach, reviewing potential themes and finalising the themes based on the consensus of the research team.
The study identified key barriers and facilitators to participation in human genomic research among racialised communities. The first theme (exclusion) highlighted obstacles such as a lack of transportation, limited knowledge of genetics and distrust stemming from concerns of stigmatisation and health disparities. The second theme (diversity of positions) described varied perceptions influenced by cultural values and motivations, with preferences for transparency and autonomy in research participation. Finally, the third theme (equity in genetic research) outlined the limited use of community-based participatory models and biobanking, underscoring the need for more inclusive and equitable research practices to fully engage racialised communities.
Future research should prioritise strategies of authentic engagement with racialised communities to enhance both inclusivity and equity in genetic, human genomic, precision medicine and precision health research.
Commentary on: Chee, JMP, Rusli KDB, Tan ZYA, Tan AJQ, Ang SGM, Lau ST, Seah B, Liaw SY. Perceptions of community care among nursing students: A cross-sectional study with implications to the nursing workforce. Nurse Education Today. 2024; 137:106162. 10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106162
Implications for education and research With the shift towards delivering healthcare services in homes, communities and primary healthcare settings, nursing curricula should integrate community nursing early in the program and provide diverse placements with mentorship opportunities to highlight career paths in this specialty. Future research should explore effective implementation strategies to enhance student perceptions of community care and address workforce challenges in this field.
The increasing demand for postacute and home-based care programmes creates an urgent need to expand the community nursing workforce.
Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with the greatest burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Haemorrhagic stroke or spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage (sICH), including intraparenchymal haemorrhage (IPH) and subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), has the highest mortality and morbidity. Local management practices for haemorrhagic stroke vary greatly between geographical regions. The Planetary Outcomes after Intracranial Haemorrhage study aims to provide a global snapshot of the patient characteristics, processes of care and short-term outcomes of patients being treated for sICH across high- and low-income settings. It will also describe variation seen in care processes and available resources and time delays to receiving care. A greater understanding of the current state of sICH care is essential to identify possible interventions and targets for improved standards of care in all settings.
We describe a planned prospective, multicentre, international observational cohort study of patients admitted to hospital for management of sICH. We will include patients of all ages presenting to hospital with imaging evidence of sICH (IPH, intraventricular haemorrhage and/or SAH). The study will collect patient, care process and short-term outcome data, following patients for up to 30 days (or until discharge or death, whichever occurs first). Any centre globally where patients with sICH are admitted and managed can participate, targeting a sample size of 712 patients. The study will recruit centres worldwide through pre-existing research networks and by dissemination through neurosurgical and stroke conferences and courses. Each participating centre will complete a site questionnaire alongside patient data collection.
The study has received ethical approval by the University of Cambridge (PRE.2024.070). Participating centres will also confirm that they have undergone all necessary local governance procedures prior to starting local data collection. The findings will be disseminated via open access peer-reviewed journals, relevant conferences and other professional networks and lay channels, including the study website (https://plotich.org/) and social media channels (@plotichstudy).
Commentary on: Feo R, Young JA, Urry K, Lawless M, Hunter SC, Kitson A, Conroy T. ‘I wasn’t made to feel like a nut case after all’: A qualitative story completion study exploring healthcare recipient and carer perceptions of good professional caregiving relationships. Health Expect. 2023 Oct 19;27(1):e13871. doi: 10.1111/hex.13871. Epub ahead of print.
Healthcare providers can foster effective patient–provider relationships by addressing concerns early on and adopting key behaviours, such as showing interest in understanding the patient’s issues, validating their concerns and respecting their choices. Future research should focus on identifying strategies to help healthcare providers develop effective patient–provider relationships. This requires a thorough understanding of these relationships from the perspectives of all involved parties, including healthcare providers, patients and their informal caregivers.
The patient–provider relationship is at the core of effective disease management.
Commentary on: Kristiansen D, Boyle EH, Svec J. The impact of local supply of popular contraceptives on women’s use of family planning: findings from performance-monitoring-for-action in seven sub-Saharan African countries. Reprod Health. 2023 Nov 21;20(1):171.
Implications for practice and research The concept of ‘demand’ and ‘supply’, from the perspective of individual preferences shaped by cultural and societal norms, can be incorporated by health practitioners and policymakers when addressing the root causes of unmet health needs. Understanding women’s empowerment and agency in family planning requires a rights-based community-engaged research approach. Community-level data can illuminate the underlying mechanisms of healthcare utilisation preferences.
The issue of unmet contraceptive needs remains a gap in global healthcare, despite various contraceptive options available now more than ever.
Commentary on: Lo Faro V, Johansson T, Johansson Å. The risk of venous thromboembolism in oral contraceptive users: the role of genetic factors—a prospective cohort study of 2 40 000 women in the UK Biobank. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2024;230:360.e1-13
Implications for practice and research Currently, venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment for contraceptive counselling is based on clinical characteristics and family history. Incorporating genetic risk assessment into current practice can significantly enhance the screening of oral contraceptive users at high risk for VTE. Further research is needed to develop a comprehensive model, explore the cost-effectiveness and implementation of genetic risk assessment in contraceptive counselling, address challenges in communicating genetic information and evaluate its applicability across diverse populations.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a complex disorder influenced by both acquired and inherited factors. Oral contraceptive use, an acquired factor, has been linked to an increased risk of...
Las úlceras por presión y las heridas crónicas son dos de las patologías más tratadas por el personal de enfermería en las salas de curas de atención primaria, especializada y atención domiciliaria. La correcta elección del material de cura es uno de los factores clave en el abordaje de estas lesiones. El objetivo de este artículo es brindar a los profesionales de enfermería de una herramienta para realizar la elección del material de cura basándose en su principio más básico: la situación del lecho de la herida.
Para ello, se han revisado los protocolos de cura de heridas de los principales sistemas de salud y sociedades científicas, y se han elaborado un diagrama que categoriza los lechos de las heridas en 16 tipologías basadas en la clasificación TIME y ofrece 13 combinaciones de apósitos y productos de cura.
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