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Background: We investigated the effectiveness of Nurse‐Family Partnership (NFP), a prenatal‐to‐age‐two‐years home‐visiting programme, in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Methods: For this randomised controlled trial, we recruited participants from 26 public health settings who were: <25 years, nulliparous, <28 weeks gestation and experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. We randomly allocated participants (one‐to‐one; computer‐generated) to intervention (NFP plus existing services) or comparison (existing services) groups. Prespecified outcomes were prenatal substance exposure (reported previously); child injuries (primary), language, cognition and mental health (problem behaviour) by age two years; and subsequent pregnancies by 24 months postpartum. Research interviewers were masked. We used intention‐to‐treat analyses. (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01672060.) Results: From 2013 to 2016 we enrolled 739 participants (368 NFP, 371 comparison) who had 737 children. Counts for child injury healthcare encounters [rate per 1,000 person‐years or RPY] were similar for NFP (223 [RPY 316.17]) and comparison (223 [RPY 305.43]; rate difference 10.74, 95% CI ‐46.96, 68.44; rate ratio 1.03, 95% CI 0.78, 1.38). Maternal‐reported language scores (mean, M [SD]) were statistically significantly higher for NFP (313.46 [195.96]) than comparison (282.77 [188.15]; mean difference [MD] 31.33, 95% CI 0.96, 61.71). Maternal‐reported problem‐behaviour scores (M [SD]) were statistically significantly lower for NFP (52.18 [9.19]) than comparison (54.42 [9.02]; MD ‐2.19, 95% CI −3.62, −0.75). Subsequent pregnancy counts were similar (NFP 115 [RPY 230.69] and comparison 117 [RPY 227.29]; rate difference 3.40, 95% CI ‐55.54, 62.34; hazard ratio 1.01, 95% CI 0.79, 1.29). We observed no unanticipated adverse events. Conclusions: NFP did not reduce child injuries or subsequent maternal pregnancies but did improve maternal‐reported child language and mental health (problem behaviour) at age two years. Follow‐up of long‐term outcomes is warranted given that further benefits may emerge across childhood and adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is important to understand patient preferences on managing low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods: We prospectively followed patients with low-risk PTC <2 cm in maximal diameter, who were offered the choice of thyroidectomy or active surveillance (AS) at the University Health Network (UHN), in Toronto, Canada. The primary outcome was the frequency of AS choice (percentage with confidence interval [CI]). Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify predictors of the choice of AS. Results: We enrolled 200 patients of median age 51 years (interquartile range 42–62). The primary tumor measured >1 cm in 55.5% (111/200) of participants. The AS was chosen by 77.5% [71.2–82.7%, 155/200] of participants. In a backwards conditional regression model, the clinical and demographic factors independently associated with choosing AS included: older age (compared with referent group <40 years)—age 40–64 years—odds ratio (OR) 2.78 [CI, 1.23–6.30, p = 0.014], age ≥65 years—OR 8.43 [2.13–33.37, p = 0.002], and education level of high school or lower—OR 4.41 [1.25–15.53, p = 0.021]; AS was inversely associated with the patient's surgeon of record being affiliated with the study hospital—OR 0.29 [0.11–0.76, p = 0.012]. In a separate backwards conditional logistic regression model examining associations with psychological characteristics, AS choice was independently associated with a fear of needing to take thyroid hormones after thyroidectomy—OR 1.24 [1.11–1.39, p < 0.001], but inversely associated with fear of PTC progression—OR 0.94 [0.90–0.98, p = 0.006] and an active coping mechanism ("doing something")—OR 0.43 [0.28–0.66, p < 0.001]. Conclusions: Approximately three-quarters of our participants chose AS over surgery. The factors associated with choosing AS included older age, lower education level, and having a surgeon outside the study institution. Patients' fears about either their PTC progressing or taking thyroid hormone replacement as well as the level of active coping style were associated with the decision. Our results inform the understanding of patients' decisions on managing low-risk PTC. Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03271892. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older adults (≥65 years) with diabetes and multiple chronic conditions (MCC) (> 2 chronic conditions) experience reduced function and quality of life, increased health service use, and high mortality. Many community-based self-management interventions have been developed for this group, however the evidence for their effectiveness is limited. This paper presents the protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the effectiveness and implementation of the Aging, Community and Health Research Unit-Community Partnership Program (ACHRU-CPP) to usual care in older adults with diabetes and MCC and their caregivers.Methods: We will conduct a cross-jurisdictional, multi-site implementation-effectiveness type II hybrid RCT. Eligibility criteria are: ≥65 years, diabetes diagnosis (Type 1 or 2) and at least one other chronic condition, and enrolled in a primary care or diabetes education program. Participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention (ACHRU-CPP) or control arm (1:1 ratio). The intervention arm consists of home/telephone visits, monthly group wellness sessions, multidisciplinary case conferences, and system navigation support. It will be delivered by registered nurses and registered dietitians/nutritionists from participating primary care or diabetes education programs and program coordinators from community-based organizations. The control arm consists of usual care provided by the primary care setting or diabetes education program. The primary outcome is the change from baseline to 6 months in mental functioning. Secondary outcomes will include, for example, the change from baseline to 6 months in physical functioning, diabetes self-management, depressive symptoms, and cost of use of healthcare services. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models will be used to analyze all outcomes, with intention-to-treat analysis using multiple imputation to address missing data. Descriptive and qualitative data from older adults, caregivers and intervention teams will be used to examine intervention implementation, site-specific adaptations, and scalability potential.Discussion: An interprofessional intervention supporting self-management may be effective in improving health outcomes and client/caregiver experience and reducing service use and costs in this complex population. This pragmatic trial includes a scalability assessment which considers a range of effectiveness and implementation criteria to inform the future scale-up of the ACHRU-CPP.Trial Registration: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier NCT03664583 . Registration date: September 10, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), a home-visiting programme, on exploratory maternal outcomes in British Columbia (BC), Canada., Design: Pragmatic, parallel arm, randomised controlled trial conducted October 2013-November 2019. Random allocation of participants (1:1) to comparison (existing services) or NFP (plus existing services). Researchers were naïve to allocation., Setting: 26 local health areas across four of five BC regional health authorities., Participants: 739 young (<25 years), first-time mothers (enrolled <28 weeks gestation), experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage., Intervention: Public health nurses with NFP education offered home visits (up to 64) during pregnancy and until children's second birthday plus existing services on offer in BC., Outcome Measures: Prespecified exploratory outcomes included exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV), income (annual from employment) and not in education, employment or training (NEET) by 24 months postpartum, and psychological distress and self-efficacy across five time points (34-36 weeks gestation, 2, 10, 18 and 24 months postpartum)., Results: A total of 739 participants were randomised (368 NFP, 371 comparison) and analysed via an intention-to-treat analysis. At 24 months postpartum, for participants receiving NFP, a lower percentage reported IPV (group difference -7.14; 95% CI: -14.17, -0.10); incomes were larger ($1629.74, 95% CI: $5.20, $3254.28) after adjusting for baseline differences and no difference in percentage of NEET (-2.41, 95% CI: -10.11, 5.30). For participants receiving NFP, psychological distress was lower across time points (-1.59, 95% CI: -2.35 to -0.84); self-efficacy was greater at 34-36 weeks gestation (0.78, 95% CI: 0.34, 1.22), then decreasing and becoming insignificant by 24 months postpartum (0.29, 95% CI: -0.18, 0.75). No unanticipated serious adverse events were reported., Conclusion: Relying on the maternal report, at 24 months postpartum, the NFP group had reduced IPV exposure and increased incomes. Benefits observed in late pregnancy were sustained to study end for psychological distress, but not self-efficacy. Longer-term follow-up is recommended., Trial Registration: NCT01672060., Competing Interests: Competing interests: SJ has received consultation fees from Nurse-Family Partnership National Service Office, Colorado, USA for US initiatives. HX received statistical consultation fees. The remaining authors have declared that they have no competing or potential conflicts of interest., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.)

The purpose of this study was to examine the perspectives of support staff, health care professionals, and care coordinators working in or referring to a community-based, slow-stream rehabilitation, hospital-to-home transition program regarding gaps in services, and barriers and facilitators related to implementation and functioning of the program. This was a qualitative descriptive study. Recruitment was conducted through purposive sampling, and 23 individuals participated in a focus groups or individual semi-structured interview. Transcripts were analyzed by six researchers using inductive thematic analysis. Themes that emerged were organized based on a socio-ecological framework. Themes were categorized as: (1) macro level, meaning gaps while waiting for program, limited program capacity, and gaps in service post-program completion; (2) meso level, meaning lack of knowledge and awareness of the program, lack of specific referral process and procedures, lack of specific eligibility criteria, and need for enhanced communication among care settings; or (3) micro level, meaning services provided, program participant benefits, person-centred communication, program structure constraints, need for use of outcome measures, and follow-up or lack of follow-up. Implementation of seamless patient information sharing, documentation, use of specific referral criteria, and use of standardized outcome measures may reduce the number of unsuitable referrals and provide useful information for referral and program staff.

Importance: Fear is commonly experienced by individuals newly diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC)., Objective: To explore the association between gender and fears of low-risk PTC disease progression, as well as its potential surgical treatment., Design, Setting, and Participants: This single-center prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care referral hospital in Toronto, Canada, and enrolled patients with untreated small low risk PTC (<2 cm in maximal diameter) that was confined to the thyroid. All patients had a surgical consultation. Study participants were enrolled between May 2016 and February 2021. Data analysis was performed from December 16, 2022, to May 8, 2023., Exposures: Gender was self-reported by patients with low-risk PTC who were offered the choice of thyroidectomy or active surveillance. Baseline data were collected prior to the patient deciding on disease management., Main Outcomes and Measures: Baseline patient questionnaires included the Fear of Progression-Short Form and Surgical Fear (referring to thyroidectomy) questionnaires. The fears of women and men were compared after adjustment for age. Decision-related variables, including Decision Self-Efficacy, and the ultimate treatment decisions were also compared between genders., Results: The study included 153 women (mean [SD] age, 50.7 [15.0] years) and 47 men (mean [SD] age, 56.3 [13.8] years). There were no significant differences in primary tumor size, marital status, education, parental status, or employment status between the women and men. After adjustment for age, there was no significant difference observed in the level of fear of disease progression between men and women. However, women reported greater surgical fear compared with men. There was no meaningful difference observed between women and men with respect to decision self-efficacy or the ultimate treatment choice., Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of patients with low-risk PTC, women reported a higher level of surgical fear but not fear of the disease compared with men (after adjustment for age). Women and men were similarly confident and satisfied with their disease management choice. Furthermore, the decisions of women and men were generally not significantly different. The context of gender may contribute to the emotional experience of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and its treatment perception.