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Objective: To comparatively evaluate performances of tablet-based versus paper-based Venous Insufficiency Epidemiologic and Economic Study-Quality of Life/Symptom (VEINES-QOL/Sym) questionnaire. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 78 consecutive patients who completed tablet-based and paper-based VEINES-QOL/Sym questionnaires and compared their scores, completion time, data entry time, and ease of use. We used Student's t-test and Wilcoxon test for quantitative variables, Bland–Altman test and kappa coefficient for agreement between questionnaires and patients, respectively. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess correlations. Results: Most participants (83.3%) found it easier to use the tablet device. Less time was needed to complete the tablet-based (median, 4.75; IQR, 3–7 min) than the paper-based (median, 8.3; IQR, 6.3–11.3 min) questionnaire (p <.001). Better educated patients took less time to complete paper-based (p =.003) and tablet-based (p =.001) questionnaires and considered the latter easier to use (p =.010). Conclusions: The tablet-based VEINES-QOL/Sym proved to be an easy-to-use and time-saving tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To develop an automated algorithm to detect, quantify, and differentiate between tremor using pen-on-paper spirals. METHODS: Patients with essential tremor (n = 25), dystonic tremor (n = 25), Parkinson’s disease (n = 25), and healthy volunteers (HV, n = 25) drew free-hand spirals. The algorithm derived the mean deviation (MD) and tremor variability from scanned images. MD and tremor variability were compared with 1) the Bain and Findley scale, 2) the Fahn–Tolosa–Marin tremor rating scale (FTM–TRS), and 3) the peak power and total power of the accelerometer spectra. Inter and intra loop widths were computed to differentiate between the tremor. RESULTS: MD was higher in the tremor group (48.9±26.3) than in HV (26.4±5.3; p < 0.001). The cut-off value of 30.3 had 80.9% sensitivity and 76.0% specificity for the detection of the tremor [area under the curve: 0.83; 95% confidence index (CI): 0.75, 0.91, p < 0.001]. MD correlated with the Bain and Findley ratings (rho = 0.491, p = 0 < 0.001), FTM–TRS part B (rho = 0.260, p = 0.032) and accelerometric measures of postural tremor (total power, rho = 0.366, p < 0.001; peak power, rho = 0.402, p < 0.001). Minimum Detectable Change was 19.9%. Inter loop width distinguished Parkinson’s disease spirals from dystonic tremor (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 54.6, 211.1), essential tremor (p = 0.003, 95% CI: 28.5, 184.9), or HV (p = 0.036, 95% CI: -160.4, -3.9). CONCLUSION: The automated analysis of pen-on-paper spirals generated robust variables to quantify the tremor and putative variables to distinguish them from each other. SIGNIFICANCE: This technique maybe useful for epidemiological surveys and follow-up studies on tremor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Traumatic Stress is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: This study aims to adapt the "Nursing Practice Readiness Scale" to Turkish culture, and evaluate its psychometric properties. Background: New graduates' nursing practice readiness can impact their work adaptation and performance. Design: The research employed a methodological design. Methods: Data were collected between May and July 2022. The sample consisted of 436 newly graduated nurses. Content validity, construct validity and criterion validity were evaluated. Reliability was examined with adjusted item‐total correlation, Cronbach's a coefficient, composite‐reliability and split‐half reliability. Results: The Turkish version of Nursing Practice Readiness Scale was found to have good content and criterion validity. As a result of confirmatory factor analysis, the original five‐factor structure of the scale was also confirmed for the Turkish version. The scale's overall Cronbach's α coefficient was determined to be 0.96, with subscale coefficients ranging from 0.73 to 0.94. The composite reliability values of the subscales were found between 0.75 and 0.94. In split‐half reliability, the correlation coefficient between half was 0.952, with a Spearman–Brown Coefficient (Unequal Length) of 0.976. Conclusions: The Turkish version of Nursing Practice Readiness Scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool for evaluating the nursing practice readiness of newly graduated nurses. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? The nursing practice readiness of newly graduated nurses may impact their work adaptation and performance.Work adaptation is an important predictor of intention to leave the profession and productivity. What this paper adds? This study adapted the Nursing Practice Readiness Scale to Turkish culture, and evaluated its psychometric properties.The Turkish version of Nursing Practice Readiness Scale was shown to be a valid and reliable tool that can be used to evaluate newly graduated nurses' nursing practice readiness. The implications of this paper Nurse educators will be able to assess the readiness of graduating students for nursing practice by using the scale.Nurse managers will be able to evaluate the readiness of new graduate nurses for nursing practice using the scale.Nurse managers and educators will be able to identify areas that need to be prioritized to increase the readiness of newly graduated nurses for nursing practice by using the scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate the relationship between the psychological resilience and burnout of nurses caring for COVID‐19 patients and to determine the factors that affect their psychological resilience and burnout. Background: In pandemic diseases such as COVID‐19, nurses experience burnout due to long working hours, decreased quality of life and anxiety/fear about their own/families' health. Psychological resilience helps to control burnout in nurses and prevent the development of a global nurse shortage. Design: This was a descriptive, correlational study. Methods: The sample of this study included 201 nurses in a Training and Research Hospital. The study used the Brief Resilience Scale and the Burnout Measure Short Version. Data were collected between 4 May and 1 June 2020. Statistical analysis was made with Pearson/Spearman, independent sample t test, one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Results: Nurses reported moderate burnout and psychological resilience, with a negative and highly significant correlation between psychological resilience and burnout levels. Conclusions: In order to increase the quality of patient care/treatment, nurse managers need to reduce nurses' burnout and increase their psychological resilience. Nurses are recommended to adopt a healthy lifestyle, organize training programmes and implement psychological resilience interventions to prevent sleep disorders. Giving nurses the tools to understand what they need to manage within their locus of control will allow them to find a new sense of resilience, preventing potential burnout. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Epidemics and pandemics cause many negative effects on the individual/society in terms of physical, psychological, social and economic aspects.During epidemic and pandemic, nurses experience burnout caused by the accumulation of professional stress.Nurses with high levels of psychological resilience experience less psychological distress such as anxiety, fear, burnout, sensory and psychosocial problems. What this paper adds? Nurses experienced moderate burnout and resilience during the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic.A negative correlation was found between nurses' burnout and psychological resilience.The burnout levels of nurses who were not college graduates, who were dissatisfied with their jobs and who intended to leave their jobs were found to be high. The implications of this paper: Nurses were vulnerable to burnout due to increased workloads in the COVID‐19 crisis, increased shifts and the fear of infecting themselves and their families.It is necessary to increase the psychological resilience of nurses in order to provide the highest level of care to patients with COVID‐19.Nurse manager should focus on reducing burnout in their nursing teams by supporting the postgraduate education of nurses and reducing their workload. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Turkish and Syrian earthquake on February 6th 2023, was one of the deadliest earthquakes in the last decade. It affected approximately 26 million people and left at least 50.000 dead. In this paper, we analyzed the psychological impact and the relationship between mental health factors, earthquake-related experiences and stressors, and resources related to the earthquake, 4 months after the event. Methods: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study, applying a survey to 320 adults (18–93 years old) in Adiyaman, Turkey. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were assessed using the PC-PTSD, general psychiatric morbidity using the GHQ-12, together with questions focusing on suicidality, drug abuse, as well as experiences, related stressors and received support related to the earthquake. Results: We found a high prevalence of general mental health symptoms, and of PTSD. Fear of aftershocks and the loss of close family members were found to be risk factors for such symptoms. We didn't find significant differences in the GHQ or the PC-PTSD scores when considering ethnicity, religion or financial income. Conclusions: High levels of general mental health symptoms and PTSD symptoms were found 4 months after the earthquake and need to be addressed in all groups, independently from potential religious, social or ethnic backgrounds. The results indicate a large psychiatric and material burden on the entire sample and some priority needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • UK care homes are an important example of a complex environment where research is essential but faces multiple challenges in terms of rigour and methodology • This paper offers a variety of important methodological strategies to identify and address challenges that could impact findings and the ability to carry out research • It highlights the importance of taking a critical stance with all elements of the research process and illustrates the need to identify and mitigate challenges when conducting research in complex environments. Background: The evidence base for hydration practice in care homes is underdeveloped. High-quality research is therefore needed to determine what practices support older people with dementia in drinking sufficient fluid. However, methodological developments are needed to be able to do this. Aim: To highlight the methodological issues researchers encountered during a feasibility cluster, randomised controlled trial of ThinkDrink, a hydration care guide for people with dementia living in UK care homes. Discussion: This is a challenging area because of the complexity of recruitment, participation and data collection in care homes. Researchers must pay extra attention to rigour and quality in the design of their studies. There may be multiple challenges, so various strategies may be required. Conclusion: It is important that researchers continue to reflect on rigorous approaches to develop evidence in a crucial area of care, despite these challenges. Implications for practice: Researchers working in complex environments face a variety of challenges to complete methodologically rigorous research. It is important for researchers to be critical of research processes and data, to mitigate and overcome these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To highlight the value of utilizing the Listening Guide methodology for nursing research and provide an exemplar applying this methodology to explore a novel concept in an underrepresented group—inner strength in persons newly diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment along with their care partners. Design: Methodology discussion paper. Methods: The exemplar study used the Listening Guide methods for data elicitation and analysis. Methods included adaptations for the study population and novice qualitative researchers. Results: The Listening Guide methodology with adaptations enabled the research team to centre the voices of persons living with mild cognitive impairment, highlight an abstract phenomenon and attend to the influences of the sociopolitical context. Further, this methodology helped address common challenges emerging qualitative researchers encounter, including understanding methods of application, engaging reflexively and immersing in the data. Conclusion: The Listening Guide is a voice‐centred qualitative methodology that is well suited to foreground the experiences of groups underrepresented in research and explore emerging phenomena. Implications for Nursing: Nurses are central to striving for health equity. The Listening Guide methodology offers a valuable and accessible research tool to understand the experiences and needs of underrepresented groups and shape healthcare in response. Impact: The Listening Guide methodology can be broadly applied to research with persons with mild cognitive impairment, and other underrepresented groups, to explore other phenomena beyond inner strength and move the science forward in representing the perspectives of groups underrepresented by research. Patient or Public Contribution: Persons living with cognitive impairment and their care partners participated in study conceptualization, interview guide development, methods development and dissemination plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) represents a distinct, persistent, and core group of schizophrenia symptoms. Cognitive symptoms have been shown to have an impact on quality of life. There are several published CIAS measures, but none based on direct patient self-report. It is important to capture the patient's perspective to supplement performancebased outcome measures of cognition to provide a complete picture of the patient's experience. This paper describes additional validation work on the Patient-Reported Experience of Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia (PRECIS) instrument. Methods: Data from two large, international, pharmaceutical clinical trials in medically and psychiatrically stable English-speaking patients with schizophrenia and 88 healthy controls were analyzed. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted in one trial (n = 215), using the original 35-item PRECIS. The factor structure suggested by EFA was further evaluated using item response theory (IRT; Samejima's graded response model), and tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Both EFA and CFA results were tested in a second trial with similar inclusion/exclusion characteristics (n = 410). Additional statistical properties were evaluated in healthy controls. Results: EFA suggested that the best solution after item reduction suggested a factor structure of 6 factors based on 26 items (memory, communication, self-control, executive function, attention, sharpness of thought), supporting a total score, with an additional 2-item bother score (28 items in all). IRT analysis indicated the items were well-ordered within each domain. The CFA demonstrated excellent model fit, accounting for 69% of the variance. The statistical properties of the 28-item version of the PRECIS were confirmed in the second trial. Evidence for internal consistency and test-retest reliability was robust. Known-groups validity was supported by comparison of healthy controls with patients with schizophrenia. Correlations indicated moderate associations between PRECIS and functioning instruments like the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS), but weak correlations with performance-based outcomes like MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Discussion: Using two clinical trial samples, we identified a robust factor structure for the PRECIS and were able to replicate it in the second sample. Evaluation of the meaningful score difference (MSD) should be repeated in future studies, as these samples did not show enough change for it to be evaluated. Conclusions: This analysis provides strong evidence for the reliability and validity of the PRECIS, a 28-item, patient-reported instrument to assess cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. The correlation with functioning and the weak correlation with performance on cognitive tasks suggests that patient reports of cognitive impairment measure a unique aspect of patient experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The All of Us Research Program (Program) is an ongoing epidemiologic cohort study focused on collecting lifestyle, health, socioeconomic, environmental, and biological data from 1 million US-based participants. The Program has a focus on enrolling populations that are underrepresented in biomedical research (UBR). Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are a key recruitment stream of UBR participants. The Program is digital by design where participants complete surveys via web-based platform. As many FQHC participants are not digitally ready, recruitment and retention is a challenge, requiring high-touch methods. However, high-touch methods ceased as an option in March 2020 when the Program paused in-person activities because of the pandemic. In January 2021, the Program introduced Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) to help participants complete surveys remotely. This paper aims to understand the association between digital readiness and mode of survey completion (CATI vs. web-based platform) by participants at FQHCs. Methods: This study included 2,089 participants who completed one or more surveys via CATI and/or web-based platform between January 28, 2021 (when CATI was introduced) and January 27, 2022 (1 year since CATI introduction). Results and discussion: Results show that among the 700 not-digitally ready participants, 51% used CATI; and of the 1,053 digitally ready participants, 30% used CATI for completing retention surveys. The remaining 336 participants had “Unknown/Missing” digital readiness of which, 34% used CATI. CATI allowed survey completion over the phone with a trained staff member who entered responses on the participant’s behalf. Regardless of participants’ digital readiness, median time to complete retention surveys was longer with CATI compared to web. CATI resulted in fewer skipped responses than the web-based platform highlighting better data completeness. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of using CATI for improving response rates in online surveys, especially among populations that are digitally challenged. Analyses provide insights for NIH, healthcare providers, and researchers on the adoption of virtual tools for data collection, telehealth, telemedicine, or patient portals by digitally challenged groups even when in-person assistance continues to remain as an option. It also provides insights on the investment of staff time and support required for virtual administration of tools for health data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Globally, healthcare organizations have transitioned from paper-based documentation to electronic health records (EHR), including in Saudi Arabia. However, the adoption of EHR at the national level in Saudi Arabia needs more attention. Thus, this study aimed to determine the workflow integration of EHR and associated factors. Objectives: The specific aims were to examine the level of EHR use and workflow integration among nurses, to determine the differences in EHR use and workflow integration based on nurses' demographic characteristics, and to determine the association between the predictive factors and EHR workflow integration. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, correlational descriptive study. The data were collected from 293 nurses using the convenience sampling method. The participating nurses completed a questionnaire that included two measures: the Information System Use Survey and the Workflow Integration Survey (WIS). The data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate statistics with SPSS software. Results: The nurses had a positive perception of EHR use and workflow. The EHR use scores differed based on workplace (P <.01), education level (P <.05), and area of practice (P <.001). Similarly, the EHR workflow integration scores varied according to workplace (P <.05), education level (P <.05), and area of practice (P <.001). Education level and workplace significantly predicted information system use. Furthermore, education level and information system use significantly predicted the EHR integration into nurses' workflow. Conclusion: The nurses expressed a greater perceived use of EHR regarding the integrated health information system, which was a predictor of EHR integration into nurses' workflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of nurses' competencies while providing care to COVID-19 patients. Design/methodology/approach: A descriptive, correlational design was used to collect data from nurses who were providing care to COVID-19 patients at four public hospitals. Findings: A total of 377 nurses (64.5% females) aged 23–50 consented to participate and completed the survey. The mean score of nurses' competencies in providing care to COVID-19 patients was 2.5 (SD = 0.81). The results of correlation coefficient tests disclosed a significant positive correlation between reported competence level and sex rpb (377) = 0.18, p < 0.01; working area rpb (377) = 0.2, p < 0.01; disaster experience rpb (377) = 0.16, p < 0.01; disaster education rpb (377) = 0.25, p < 0.01; and disaster training rpb (377) = 0.31, p < 0.01. Research limitations/implications: The COVID-19 pandemic response heavily relied on nurses. However, they had a gap in clinical competencies that indicates an urgent need to incorporate disaster management courses in basic nursing education and to update training in hospitals based on nurses' needs to improve their capabilities in dealing with COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that investigated the perceived level of Jordanian nurses' competencies in providing care to COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Ege University Nursing Faculty (JEUNF) is the property of Journal of Ege University Nursing Faculty (JEUNF) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aims: This work aims to explore staff perceptions of (1) the effectiveness of organizational communication during the COVID‐19 pandemic and (2) the impact of organizational communication on staff well‐being and ability to progress their work and patient care. Background: Effective coordination and communication are essential in a pandemic management response. However, the effectiveness of communication strategies used during the COVID‐19 pandemic is not well understood. Design: An exploratory cross‐sectional research design was used. A 33‐item survey tool was created for the study. Methods: The study was conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital in Western Australia. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from nursing, medical, allied health services, administrative and clerical, and personal support services (N = 325). Data were collected between December 2020 and May 2021. Results: Overall, all occupational groups found working during the COVID‐19 pandemic stressful, and all groups wanted accessible and accurate communication from management and new policies, procedures, and protocols for future outbreaks. Conclusions: The use of occupational group‐relevant strategies and COVID‐19 protocols, as well as the on‐going use of email, face‐to‐face meetings with debrief sessions, are needed to improve communication and support staff to fulfil their roles. Summary statement: What is already known about the topic? Effective coordination and communication that is timely and two‐way in nature, is an essential part of a pandemic management response. What this paper adds? All occupational groups found working during the COVID‐19 pandemic stressful; all groups wanted accessible and accurate communication from management and new policies, procedures, and protocols for future outbreaks. The implications of this paper: Managing a pandemic situation in health care settings is challenging for all levels of staff including management and all occupational work groups.The use of occupational group‐relevant strategies and COVID‐19 protocols, as well as the on‐going use of email, face‐to‐face meetings with debrief sessions, are needed to improve communication and support staff to fulfil their roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: When parents bring their child to appointments and then adhere to agreed speech and language therapy (SLT) recommendations, there is the potential to increase the intensity of the intervention, support generalization and improve outcomes. In SLT, however, little is known about factors that may promote attendance or adherence. Studies in other clinical areas such in medicine, psychology and physiotherapy have identified risk factors for non‐attendance or non‐adherence that are multifactorial and variable dependent on, for example, population and intervention. Aims: To identify rates of non‐attendance and non‐adherence, and to identify parent or child factors associated with parent involvement in intervention for children under 5 years of age receiving SLT. Methods: Parents completed questionnaires at two time points assessing the domains of parents' beliefs (problem perceptions, self‐efficacy), personal circumstances (socio‐demographics, family functioning), treatment experience and child factors. Predictors of parent attendance and adherence were identified through multiple regression analyses. Non‐attendance rates were identified via local health records and non‐adherence ascertained using a specific parent‐reported measure within the treatment experience domain. Results: Participants (N = 199) were predominantly mothers, and were ethnically and socio‐economically diverse, speaking a wide range of languages. Their children presented with a range of speech, language communication needs (SLCN). The rate of non‐attendance was 25% and the main predictors of non‐attendance were maternal age, education level and two factors within the parent beliefs domain. This model explained 40% of the variance in attendance. The rate of non‐adherence in this cohort was 26% with parental rating of the importance of a recommendation and self‐efficacy beliefs predicting adherence; this explained 56% of the variance in adherence to SLT recommendations at home. Conclusions & Implications: Our research has provided preliminary evidence of the influence of parents' beliefs, personal circumstances and treatment experiences on their involvement in their child's therapy. Speech and language therapists should consider factors impacting attendance and adherence to treatment and explore parental perceptions of their child's SLCN before embarking on an intervention, a foundation for collaborative practice. A possible limitation of this study is that the levels of attrition in our sample led to generally high measured rates of participation, which should be considered in future studies. Future research should explore adherence in treatments with varying doses, with different types of SLCN or interventions and in different settings. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: It is acknowledged that parent involvement in their child's therapy, such as attending and adhering to recommendations, is important but little is known about the rates of involvement and what factors may be associated with attendance and adherence in SLT. Qualitative research has explored parental involvement suggesting that beliefs about an intervention may be pertinent. Extensive research in other clinical areas suggest multiple and varied factors are influential and further exploration of particular populations and interventions is necessary. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge: This study identified rates of parental non‐attendance and non‐adherence in a cohort of predominantly mothers of children under the age of 5 years. It is the first study to measure parent adherence in SLT and identify factors that are associated parental adherence to SLT recommendations. It adds to the small body of SLT specific research in understanding risk factors for non‐attendance. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: This study highlights the need for a speech and language therapist to consider and explore parents' perspectives of their child's SLCN as a part of achieving collaboration with a parent in order to achieve the best outcomes. It provides a foundation for further systematic research into parent involvement with the ultimate aim of enhancing outcomes for children with SLCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Telepractice service delivery of allied health interventions to people with disability can potentially reduce access barriers and improve service equity. However, questions remain regarding telepractice functionality for people with disability. This study addressed questions related to how allied health clinicians and managers perceive telepractice as functioning in the provision of therapy services to people with disability. Methods: Thirteen interviews of allied health clinicians and managers from across Australia were conducted between 21 November and 22 February via MS teams. Qualitative methodology and critical realist theoretical paradigm underpin the study. Data analysis was completed using a reflective thematic analysis method and five themes were generated and described utilising an analytic metaphor. Results: The study themes were described in relation to a shopping for shoes analytic metaphor and the five themes included (1) a shoe for every foot, (2) planned purchases, (3) shoe on the other foot, (4) you need both shoes and (5) help choosing their shoes. In summary, the function of telepractice fits differently for each individual, similar to pairs of shoes. Conclusions: Telepractice has its own strengths and weaknesses and isn't a direct substitute for in‐person sessions, much like left and right shoes are similar but not the same. The results support participant perceptions that telepractice functions best as an adjunct to in‐person sessions through a flexible hybrid delivery model in the provision of therapy services to people with a disability. A strategy for improving perceived usefulness may involve positioning telepractice as unique with strengths and weaknesses, not replacing in‐person care. Patient or Public Contribution: The paper forms part of a larger codesign process which included customer and carer participants throughout the design and planning of the project, inclusion of a peer researcher, and the selection of the analytic metaphor including in the findings of this article production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This exploratory study, using mixed methods research, aimed to (1) examine the associations among self‐efficacy, social support and regular leisure‐time physical activity of nursing staff, and (2) identify motivators and barriers to leisure‐time physical activity. Background: It is important to engage nursing staff in regular leisure‐time physical activity as a countermeasure against high occupational stress and poor health. Limited research has examined nursing staff's participation in leisure‐time physical activity and associated factors. Methods: Nursing staff employed at a community hospital in the northeastern United States were invited to participate in this cross‐sectional survey with close‐ and open‐ended questions in March 2016. Results: A total of 363 nurses and nursing assistants responded, among whom, 59.8% reported regular leisure‐time physical activity. Poisson regression models suggested that self‐efficacy and social support had an interactive association with increased prevalence of regular leisure‐time physical activity. Conclusion: Self‐efficacy and social support have an important synergistic association with regular leisure‐time physical activity of nursing staff. Effective interventions intending to facilitate nursing staff's leisure‐time physical activity should consider improving their self‐efficacy and social support. Qualitative comments suggested that work‐out areas in the workplace with release time and organized activity may promote regular leisure‐time physical activity of nursing staff. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Leisure‐time physical activity is beneficial to both physical and mental health.Self‐efficacy and social support have been reported as independent predictors of leisure‐time physical activity in the general population.There is limited evidence regarding nursing staff's level of participation in leisure‐time physical activity and associated factors. What this paper adds? There is a higher level of participation in leisure‐time physical activity among nursing staff than the general population.Exercise self‐efficacy and social support have a synergistic association with regular leisure‐time physical activity among nursing staff.Support and promoting physical and mental fitness are motivators, whereas lack of time and energy and physical illnesses are barriers to regular leisure‐time physical activity reported by nursing staff. The implications of this paper: Findings indicate effective interventions designed to improve both self‐efficacy and social support might help facilitate nursing staff's participation in regular leisure‐time physical activity.Findings suggest organizational support through installing work‐out areas in the workplace with release time and organized activity might enhance nursing staff's capacity to engage in leisure‐time physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The definition of Early Cholecystectomy (EC) is still debatable. This paper aims to find whether the timing of EC affects outcomes. The article reports a multicentric prospective observational study including patients with acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) who had cholecystectomy within ten days from the onset of symptoms. Kruskall-Wallis test, Fisher's Exact test, and Spearman rank correlation were used for statistical analysis. The patients were divided into three groups depending on the timing of the operation: 0–3 days, 4–7 days, or 8–10 days from the onset of symptoms. 1117 patients were studied over a year. The time from the onset of symptoms to EC did not affect the post-operative complications and mortality, the conversion, and the reintervention rate. The time represented a significant risk factor for intraoperative complications (0–3 days, 2.8%; 4–7 days, 5.6%; 8–10 days, 7.9%; p = 0.01) and subtotal cholecystectomies (0–3 days, 2.7%; 4–7 days, 5.6%; 8–10 days, 10.9%; p < 0.001). ACC is an evolutive inflammatory process and, as the days go by, the local and systemic inflammation increases, making surgery more complex and difficult with a higher risk of intraoperative complications. We recommend performing EC for ACC as soon as possible, within the first ten days of the onset of symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Patient Health Engagement Scale was designed to assess the emotional and psychological attitudes of patients' engagement along their healthcare management journey. Aim: This study aimed to conduct psychometric testing of the Turkish version of the Patient Health Engagement Scale among patients with chronic diseases. Design: A cross‐sectional validation study was conducted and reported according to the STROBE checklist. Methods: There were 520 patients who completed the scale between March 2017 and February 2018. The content, construct and concurrent validity were evaluated. The reliability of the scale was measured using internal consistency and construct reliability. Construct validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The scale's validity was enabled by the translation and back translation method. The content validity index of the scale was 0.88. Construct validity determined one factor. The total variance was calculated at 85.29%. The factor loads ranged between 0.86 and 0.95. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed goodness‐of‐fit indices in the excellent range according to the literature. The reliability of the scale was calculated at 0.95. Conclusion: The scale was found to be a valid and reliable measurement tool to be used in identifying the engagement with health levels of patients with chronic diseases. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? The Patient Health Engagement Scale describes the psychological readiness to be active in one's own health management.The Patient Health Engagement Scale measures patients' perceived susceptibility and severity of the disease and orientation toward health management. What this paper adds? The Turkish version of the Patient Health Engagement Scale was found to be a valid and reliable measurement tool. The implications of this paper: Engaging patients in their healthcare management may have an important role in improving treatments for patients with chronic diseases.The Patient Health Engagement Scale can be used to plan and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In scientific inquiry learning, students often have difficulties conducting hypothetical reasoning with multiple intertwined variables. Concept maps have a potential to facilitate complex thinking and reasoning. However, there is little investigation into the content of student‐constructed concept maps and its association with inquiry task performance. Objectives: This study explored students' concept mapping style and its association with task performance in computer‐based inquiry learning. Methods: An exploratory study was conducted with 80 Grade 11 students, who collaboratively constructed concept maps in a free style to support inquiry learning with a virtual ecosystem. Student‐constructed concept maps was analysed by firstly identifying different types of propositions formed in the maps and then determining the style of each concept map based on the dominant type of propositions in the map. Finally, the association between the concept map style and inquiry task performance was explored. Results and Conclusions: Two major concept map styles were identified: (1) knowledge‐oriented concept maps (KCMs) mainly representing problem‐related subject knowledge as a set of concepts and their relationships, and (2) problem‐oriented concept maps (PCMs) mainly representing problem situation as a sequence of changes and their causal relationships. Compared with those constructing KCMs, the students constructing PCMs formed higher‐quality propositions in their maps and performed better in hypothesising, reasoning, and drawing conclusions in the inquiry task. Implications: Besides KCMs, students in inquiry learning can be encouraged to construct PCMs to foster effective thinking and reasoning; that is, constructing a concept map to represent the problem situation as a sequence of changes and the causal relationships between the changes. Lay Description: What is currently known about the subject matter: Concept maps (CMs) can facilitate complex thinking and reasoning in inquiry learning.There is little investigation into the content of student‐constructed CMs.It is unknown how CM content might associate with inquiry task performance. What this paper adds: Students constructed two major styles of CMs in computer‐based inquiry learning.The two styles of CMs are problem‐oriented and knowledge‐oriented CMs.Students constructing problem‐oriented CMs performed better in the inquiry task. Implications for practitioners: Analysing student‐constructed CMs helps understand student thinking in inquiry.Students are encouraged to build problem‐oriented CMs in inquiry learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research in word‐finding difficulties is sparse, especially in languages other than English. As a result, the factors associated with the frequency of word‐finding behaviours are poorly understood, particularly in discourse. Aims: This exploratory study is the first to collect data relative to the expected frequency of word‐finding behaviours in narration for French speakers aged 7–12 years old with typical development; and (2) to identify the factors associated with the frequency of word‐finding behaviours in narration. We hypothesized that sociodemographic characteristics, language abilities and characteristics of the spoken productions could be linked to word‐finding behaviours. Methods & Procedures: The participants consisted of 61 French‐speaking children aged 7–12 years old (M = 9;09 years, SD = 1;06 years) with typical development. Children were asked to complete a receptive vocabulary task, a non‐word‐repetition task and two narrative tasks. The children's narrative samples were coded using a discourse analysis of word‐finding behaviours, as described by Diane J. German. Outcomes & Results: Participants produced 39% of T‐units with least one word‐finding behaviour, which included relatively frequent use of repetitions and word reformulations. Regression analyses revealed that the participants' gender was the only significant variable associated with the frequency of word‐finding behaviours in narration. Boys produced a higher percentage of T‐units with at least one word‐finding behaviour. Post‐hoc analyses suggested that gender differences reflected differences in repetitions and word reformulations. Boys and girls did not differ on any other language measures collected. Conclusions & Implications: Speech–language pathologists may want to take into account a child's gender when assessing word‐finding difficulties in narration. Additional studies are needed to understand whether this finding extends to other word‐finding tasks and to children with word‐finding difficulties. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: Studies in English have identified that analyses of word‐finding behaviours in discourse can be used to correctly identify children with word‐finding difficulties. Studies are needed in other languages to determine if this observation holds true across languages. Moreover, the factors associated with the frequency of word‐finding behaviours in discourse are poorly understood. What this paper adds to existing knowledge: The frequency of word‐finding difficulties in narration was higher in our study of French‐speaking children than in previous studies of English. Gender was the only factor associated with the frequency of word‐finding difficulties. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: The language and task used to assess word‐finding skills as well as the child's gender may be important to take into account when assessing word‐finding difficulties based on word‐finding behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The majority of children with cerebral palsy (CP) experience challenges in functional communication from a young age. A pivotal aspect of functional communication is language comprehension. A variety of classification systems and questionnaires are available to classify and describe functional communication skills in children with CP. A better understanding of the convergent validity of (subsections of) these tools, as well as their relationship with spoken language comprehension, will be valuable in both clinical practice and research. Aims: To investigate the convergent validity of (subsections of) functional communication tools and the relationship with spoken language comprehension in children with CP. Methods & Procedures: Cross‐sectional data on 138 children were subdivided into three developmental stages based on (Dutch) educational phases: ages 18 months–3;11y (n = 59), 4;0–5;11 years (n = 37) and 6;0–8;11 years (n = 42). The following functional communication tools were used to classify and describe functional communication: Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), subscales of the Caregivers Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities—Dutch Version (CPCHILD‐DV) and the Focus on Communication Under Six‐34 (FOCUS‐34) questionnaire. Spoken language comprehension was assessed with the Computer‐Based instrument for Low motor Language Testing (C‐BiLLT). Correlations between the functional communication tools, and with the C‐BiLLT, were calculated using Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients. It was hypothesized a priori that correlations of at least 0.60 suggest good convergent validity. Outcomes & Results: At all developmental stages, a significant ordered decreasing tendency of communication outcomes was found across CFCS levels; lower CFCS levels were associated with lower scores on the CPCHILD‐DV and FOCUS‐34, and with a lower level of spoken language comprehension (C‐BiLLT). Correlation coefficients of the functional communication tools exceeded 0.60 at all developmental stages. Correlations between C‐BiLLT raw scores and the functional communication tools varied between 0.351 and 0.591 at developmental stage 18 months–3;11 years, between 0.781 and 0.897 at developmental stage 4;0–5;11 years, and between 0.635 and 0.659 at developmental stage 6;0–8;11 years. Conclusions & Implications: The functional communication tools assessed in this study showed convergent validity at all developmental stages. The CFCS, currently most widely used in paediatric rehabilitation, is adequate in the classification of functional communication. However, for more detailed clinical goal setting and evaluation of change in functional communication, the additional use of FOCUS‐34 or CPCHILD‐DV is recommended. What this paper adds: What is already known on the subject: A range of functional communication tools are available that help describe and classify functional communication in children with CP. These include the CFCS, subsections of CPCHILD‐DV and FOCUS‐34. The CFCS classifies functional communication in daily life with familiar and unfamiliar partners. Specific subsections of the CPCHILD‐DV and FOCUS‐34 include items that pertain to communicative participation. The innovative C‐BiLLT provides a standardized method to assess spoken language comprehension in children with CP and significant motor impairments. What this paper adds to existing knowledge: In the present study, convergent validity was confirmed between CFCS and specific subsections of the CPCHILD‐DV and FOCUS‐34. Correlations between these functional communication tools and the C‐BiLLT were moderate to strong. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: For clinical and research purposes (for instance, accurate prescription of augmentative and alternative communication—AAC), healthcare and educational professionals together with parents need to know how functional communication tools converge and how functional communication levels relate to the comprehension of spoken language. The CFCS provides a valid classification of functional communication abilities in children with CP. However, to measure change in functional communication and to evaluate treatment outcomes, use of additional functional communication tools such as the CPCHILD‐DV and FOCUS‐34 is recommended. When discrepancies are found between communicative abilities and spoken language comprehension, it is strongly recommended that valid tools are used in a more detailed examination of the child's spoken language comprehension skills and functional communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Perceptual, cognitive and previous clinical experience may influence a novice Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) analyst's trajectory towards competency. Understanding these factors may allow trainees to be better prepared for VFSS training and may allow training to be developed to accommodate differences between trainees. Aims: This study explored a range of factors previously suggested in the literature as influencing the development of novice analysts' VFSS skills. We hypothesised that knowledge of swallow anatomy and physiology, visual perceptual skills, self‐efficacy and interest, and prior clinical exposure would all influence VFSS novice analysts' skill development. Methods & Procedures: Participants were undergraduate speech pathology students recruited from an Australian university, who had completed the required theoretical units in dysphagia. Data assessing the factors of interest were collected—the participants identified anatomical structures on a still radiographic image, completed a physiology questionnaire, completed subsections of the Developmental Test of Visual Processing—Adults, self‐reported the number of dysphagia cases they managed on placement, and self‐rated their confidence and interest. Data for 64 participants relating to the factors of interest were compared with their ability to accurately identify swallowing impairments following 15 h of VFSS analytical training, using correlation and regression analysis. Outcomes & Results: Success in VFSS analytical training was best predicted by clinical exposure to dysphagia cases and the ability to identify anatomical landmarks on still radiographic images. Conclusions & Implications: Novice analysts vary in the acquisition of beginner‐level VFSS analytical skill. Our findings suggest that speech pathologists who are new to VFSS may benefit from clinical exposure to dysphagia cases, sound foundational knowledge of anatomy relevant to swallowing and the ability to see the anatomical landmarks on still radiographic images. Further research is required to equip VFSS trainers and trainees for training, to understand differences between learners during skill development. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: The existing literature suggests that no vice Video fluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) analysts training may be influenced by their personal characteristics and experience. What this study adds: This study found that student clinicians, clinical exposure to dysphagia cases and their ability to identify anatomical landmarks relevant to swallowing on still radiographic images prior to training best predicted their ability to identify swallowing impairments after training. What are the clinical implications of this work?: Given the expense of training health professionals, further research is required into the factors that successfully prepare clinicians for VFSS training, including clinical exposure, foundational knowledge of anatomy relevant to swallowing and the ability to identify the anatomical landmarks on still radiographic images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the digitalization process of an originally school-based educational programme to an online version and confirms its efficacy on teaching young children as well as their parents about stroke symptoms and the necessary actions needed to be taken in the event of a stroke. Forty children (20 children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and 20 without NDDs), aged 4–9 years, as well as 35 of these children's parents (30–50 years old) participated in the study in Greece. All individuals watched 5 educational videos, designed and produced by the Super Grand League Team. Each video had a mean duration of 15 minutes. Most children had no prior knowledge neither in stroke symptoms nor to the appropriate actions after a stroke. Children's knowledge of stroke symptoms (except the symptom of speech disturbance) and the appropriate actions following stroke improved significantly immediately post training (p < 0.05). Children with NDDs demonstrated no significant differences when compared to their peers without NDDs in regards to the knowledge gains. In the same line, parents showed a significant increase in their knowledge as regards the stroke symptoms (p < 0.001). Only 2 parents (5.7%) knew the correct emergency number before participating in the online programme, while all of them (100%) responded correctly after the programme. The current work using multimodal remote education demonstrates significant improvement in learning about stroke symptomatology and the necessary steps that need to follow. Future work should evaluate the impact of digital interventions in respect of onset-to-door times and stroke outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many caregivers are insufficiently prepared, and little is known about measures that can be employed to enhance their preparedness. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with caregiver preparedness and establish a predictive model including the relationship between preparedness, burden, resilience and anxiety. Design: A cross‐sectional design was used. Methods: The sample included 172 family caregivers who were selected from one private hospital and daytime nursing centres. Caregivers were recruited from 2018 to 2019; they completed assessments for caregiver preparedness, anxiety, resilience and burden. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with preparedness. Results: Preparedness was significantly associated with high levels of resilience and a low level of burden, while it was not associated with anxiety. Caregivers' gender, experience and cohabitation status were the main predictors. Resilience is an explanatory factor for caregiver preparedness in the predictive model. Conclusion: The demographic variables related to preparedness can be used to guide efforts to meet the needs of vulnerable caregivers. A caregiver's preparedness depends on their level of burden and resilience. Nursing interventions focused on these aspects could make the caregiver's role easier and improve the quality of care provided. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Many caregivers are inadequately prepared for this role, and ensuring adequate preparedness is important for family caregivers.Preparedness and factors predictive of this in Spanish family caregivers have not been well‐documented.Resilience, burden and anxiety affect caregivers, but the degree to which they influence caregivers' preparation levels is unknown. What is the contribution of this paper? Specific factors influence the preparedness of family caregivers. Men and caregivers who do not cohabit in the same household with the care‐dependent person may present greater deficits in preparedness. Moreover, poor health and lack of experience in caring can result in inadequate caregiving performance.Readiness, resilience and burden are significantly related, and the best predictor of family caregivers' preparedness is resilience.Resilience leads to greater preparedness in caregivers, and better‐prepared caregivers experience a lighter burden. What are the implications of this paper? Knowing the factors associated with preparedness in advance will allow health‐care professionals to prevent deficits in vulnerable family caregivers.Resilience is a decisive factor which prevents negative consequences such as low preparedness. A resilient coping style can diminish the burden and promote successful adaptation in caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sequential Intercept Model has helped conceptualize interventions for people with serious mental illness in the criminal/legal system. This paper operationalizes the Sequential Intercept Model into a 35-item scorecard of behavioral health and legal practices. Using interviews, survey, and observational methods, the scorecard assesses an exploratory sample of 19 counties over 27 independent data collections. A series of ordinary least squares regression models assessed the predictor scores on four jail outcomes: prevalence of serious mental illness, length of stay, connections to treatment, and recidivism. Increases in pre-booking scores showed significant decreases in jail prevalence of serious mental illness at the p < 0.05 level, and post-booking scores and overall scores showed significant positive associations with connections to treatment at the p < 0.05 level, though these were non-significant after correcting for multiple comparisons. Preliminary findings suggest a combination of practices across the Sequential Intercept Model could have synergistic impacts on key jail diversion outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known on the subject?: Public shaming, especially by consumers of healthcare, is getting worse and has become a specific case of bullyingDespite extensive research on physical and verbal violence directed towards mental health workers, the issue of social shaming and bullying by patients or relatives has not been sufficiently researched What the paper adds to existing knowledge: Mental healthcare workers are exposed to the threat of social shaming and bullying on a regular almost weekly basisAbusive behaviours by patients are associated with professional burnout, decreases in professional functioning and even a tendency to leave the workplace among mental health workers What are the implications for practice?: The stability and strength of the therapeutic alliance between healthcare giver and psychiatric patient are critical to the success of the treatmentThere is a need to develop a dedicated organizational policy for the prevention, early detection, intervention and support for teams exposed to social shaming and bullyingAn emphatic response, and effective intervention in a case of social shaming may improve professional functioning and reduce burnout and intention to leave. Introduction: Social shaming can impair caregivers' performance. The prevalence of shaming experienced by mental health workers and the relationships to their function or burnout is unknown. Aim: To examine the associations between exposure to social shaming and bullying by patients, the risk appraisal of negative impact of this behaviour, burnout, professional functioning and intention to leave among mental health workers. Method: In this cross‐sectional study, 122 workers from a psychiatric hospital completed a questionnaire. Results: Participants reported exposure to social shaming and bullying by patients on a regular basis. Shaming and bullying were significantly associated with lower professional functioning and higher intention to leave, while burnout may at least partially mediate the association between these variables. Conclusions: The phenomenon of shaming and bullying of mental health workers by patients is common and is associated with lower functioning and higher burnout, which have a negative impact on the patient‐caregiver interaction. Implications for Practice: There is a need to establish a policy for early detection of shaming of mental health workers in order to prevent burnout or intention to leave. Evidence based interventions, such as the Safewards model, accompanied by assessment of their effectiveness, may help in this effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of cycles in building and property, has grown to have significant importance in the UK and internationally; whereas property markets have been characterised by boom and bust cycles with a negative impact on the national economies. As a result, property cycles became a popular research topic amongst property professionals and scholars, with a greater understanding of the cyclical behaviour of the property market being seen as a major guide to the financial success (failure) of property investments. consequently, considerable literature has accumulated over the years on the subject. This paper provides a review of this literature, mostly written in the UK and US, with international insights on the subject. This paper reviews research on the subject chronologically over a one hundred-year period. The study is designed to provide readers with a historical overview of Property cycles research by emphasising the underlying theme which dominated a particular period of this research, as well as indicating methods, data analysis techniques employed and outcomes of these studies. Its ai is to put more clarity on the subject, as well as help to navigate anyone interested in Property cycles through a considerable amount of research which has accumulated over the last century. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper introduces a novel, temporally sensitive analytical method for qualitative researchers, which is simultaneously timely and necessary given increasing recognition of the fundamental role that time plays in organizational life and scholarship. As a result of this recognition, research designs considering temporality have substantially increased over the past decade. However, while methods for qualitative data collection using longitudinal and 'shortitudinal' designs, in particular qualitative diary methods, have become increasingly common, analytical methods capable of fully exploiting the temporal nature of such data have lagged behind their quantitative counter‐parts, where we see marked progression in analytical methods and procedures. In this paper, we argue that this lack of progression in approaches for analysing qualitative diary data hinders our knowledge and theoretical development when it comes to incorporating temporality, particularly in the exploration of phenomena at individual‐/micro‐levels, arguably most salient to organizational psychology researchers. We respond to these challenges by introducing a novel, step‐by‐step analytical approach that facilitates rigorous incorporation of temporality into the analysis and theorization of micro‐level, qualitative diary data, termed Thematic Trajectory Analysis (TTA). Practitioner points: Existing qualitative analytical methods have limitations when applied to qualitative diary data and have thereby limited the questions that may be explored, and understood, through qualitative data.Offers an alternative, step‐by‐step, analytical approach for researchers and practitioners seeking to understand within‐person changes and dynamism in organizations.Enables the benefits of qualitative diaries to be better exploited by both researchers and practitioners and thereby lead to better understanding of how organizational processes unfold, and in turn, lead to stronger intervention mechanisms.Demonstrates the utility of combing textual and visualized data outputs in understanding complex and dynamic phenomena in organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This exploratory and cross‐sectional study aimed to evaluate the effects of technological device use on preschool children's life quality. Methods: One hundred twenty‐five preschool students were recruited from two kindergartens affiliated to the Directorate of National Education in provincial centre of Zonguldak, Turkey. Personal Information Form and Quality of Life Scale for Young Children (KINDL Quality of Life Scale) were tools for data, collected by the researcher herself from parents through face‐to‐face interview method. Results: It was found in the study that 54.4% of the parents and 42.4% of their children who were involved in the study were frequently used technological devices. Mean score of the children's KINDL Quality of Life Scale was 79.2 (9.5; range 57–99). When comparing this score and its subscales with children's desire to not sleep due to playing virtual games and so forth, the differences between all the other subscales except self‐esteem were significant (p < 0.05). A significant difference was also found between the children's sleeping hours and subscales such as self‐esteem, physical and emotional health (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results show that more than half of the parents and their children frequently use the technological devices. Healthcare providers should inform the parents regarding the possibly negative consequences such as negatively affecting the children's quality of life. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Technological device use is one of the challenging problems seen among children, and it has negative effects on children's health.This use negatively affects the children's quality of life. What does this paper add? The families' and their children's frequency of technological device use was demonstrated.The effect of children's technological device use on their quality of life was determined.The factors affecting the quality of life with respect to the technological device use were determined. The implications of this paper: Technological device use negatively affects children's quality of life.Education programmes should be organized for families and children in order to manage the use of technological devices frequently seen among preschool children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Secondary prevention is a priority after coronary revascularization for effective long‐term cardiovascular care. Coronary Heart Disease is a major health problem in Jordan, but little is known about the current provision of secondary prevention. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors and explore the current provision of secondary Coronary Heart Disease prevention among patients presenting with first‐time Coronary Heart Disease at two time points: during hospitalization (Time 1) and 6 months later (Time 2), in multicentre settings in Jordan. Methods: A descriptive, repeated measures research study design was applied to a consecutive sample of 180 patients with first‐time Coronary Heart Disease. Demographic and clinical details were recorded from medical files. Self‐administered questionnaires developed by the researchers were used to measure secondary prevention information related to Coronary Heart Disease, including secondary prevention services, lifestyle advice received and medical advice topics. A short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure physical activity. Participants were assessed at Times 1 and 2. Results: Unstructured lifestyle advice given to the patients at Times 1 and 2 most frequently related to medications, smoking, diet and blood lipids control advice topics, with no statistically significant improvement in cardiovascular risk factors among patients between Times 1 and 2. Conclusion: Despite an extremely high prevalence of risk factors in this population, the provision of secondary prevention is poor in Jordan, which requires urgent improvement, and the contribution of nurses' to secondary prevention should be enhanced. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Cardiovascular diseases have relatively earlier onset and higher prevalence in the Middle East and North Africa. However, there is a limited knowledge about the prevalence of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in the region.There is strong evidence that behavioural modification should be given high priority to help patients with Coronary Heart Disease to be compliant with healthy lifestyle behaviours.The prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease and premature mortality in the Middle Eastern countries is progressively increasing, indicating a lack of effective strategy. What this paper adds The prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease risk factors is still egregiously high in the Jordanian population.The secondary prevention strategy and lifestyle changes are insufficient among patients with Coronary Heart Disease in Jordan.Health policy makers are strongly recommended to establish cardiac rehabilitation programmes to reduce cardiac events and mortality in Jordan. The implications of the study Nursing administrations need to focus on secondary prevention strategies to minimize the risk factors of cardiovascular disease in developing countries.Nursing leaders in Jordan should develop health intervention programmes to help patients with Coronary Heart Disease change their lifestyles.Greater efforts are needed to stop progression of risk factors and improve secondary prevention in Jordan, and further studies are warranted, such as interventional studies to enhance secondary prevention for patients with Coronary Heart Disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Speech–language pathologists are often involved in the assessment and management of communication, cognition and swallowing deficits in people with Parkinson's. However, speech–language pathologists' self‐perceived competency levels in serving people with Parkinson's remain elusive, especially in the Indian context where there is an increasing disability burden due to Parkinson's disease. Additionally, the challenges faced by speech–language pathologists in India to provide efficient services to this population are unidentified. Aims: To determine speech–language pathologists' self‐perceived competence and challenges faced when providing services to people with Parkinson's in India. Methods & Procedures: A survey questionnaire was sent to speech–language pathologists through emails and social media asking them questions to evaluate self‐perceived competency in serving people with Parkinson's and to identify the challenges to their service delivery. A total of 69 speech–language pathologists responded to the survey. Outcomes & Results: The majority of respondents reported to be competent in dealing with various domains of assessment and management of people with Parkinson's. Although competent, they reportedly faced a few challenges during their service delivery. Conclusions & Implications: This study provides an insight into the speech–language pathologists' self‐perceived competency in serving people with Parkinson's in India, and also identifies the challenges related to interprofessional service delivery. The findings of the study have educational and clinical implications. What this paper adds: The study delineates speech–language pathologists' self‐perceived competency in working with people with Parkinson's in India, a nation that is seeing a constant rise in the incidence of Parkinson's disease.The study the unique challenges within India to speech–language pathologists' service delivery for people with Parkinson's, thus having educational and clinical implications in Parkinson's disease care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treatment fidelity refers to the degree to which an intervention is implemented as intended. Promoting treatment fidelity is important to achieve a valid comparison in intervention research. However, it is often underreported: few studies detail the use and development of fidelity measures. This study aims to promote the treatment fidelity of a modified version of the Derbyshire Language Scheme (M‐DLS), a manualised intervention for children with language difficulties, by exploring participants' opinions on training and intervention delivery. Results inform development of a checklist and scoring system to monitor and promote treatment fidelity in a comparison trial. Method: Ten student speech and language therapists (SLTs) and two research assistants (RAs) participated in the study. All received training on the M‐DLS, and 10 were video‐recorded completing role‐plays of an M‐DLS session in small groups. Feedback was gathered after training and role‐plays in focus groups and interviews. Feedback was interpreted using the constructs of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). A treatment fidelity checklist was then developed using the feedback. The first author and two RAs rated role‐play videos using the checklist to trial it to inform amendments and to promote interrater reliability. Interrater agreement was calculated using Spearman's test of correlation. Results: Participants discussed the importance of having clear materials and time to practise sessions. They suggested amendments to the materials and training to promote treatment fidelity. The checklist and scoring system accounted for participants' suggestions, with amendments detailed in a log. Spearman's correlation results suggested agreement between the raters was strong. Conclusions: Results emphasise the importance of training quality, practice and reflective opportunities and clear materials to promote treatment fidelity. The construction of the checklist and scoring system was described in detail, informing the development of future checklists. After further trialling, the checklist can be used to ensure the M‐DLS is delivered with high treatment fidelity in the comparison trial. What this paper adds: What is already known on this subject: Treatment fidelity is an essential component of intervention effectiveness and efficacy studies, ensuring the intervention is delivered as intended. It is also an essential component of evidence-based clinical practice. However, few research studies report the treatment fidelity process or publish the checklists used, depriving clinicians of useful information for implementation. What this study adds: This study describes in detail the iterative process of treatment fidelity checklist development, engaging those implementing the intervention in development. This ensured clarity and interrater reliability of the checklist. Furthermore, a novel scoring system was developed so that accuracy of implementation can be easily compared across users and across practice attempts. What are the clinical implications of this work?: The importance of treatment fidelity when implementing effective and efficacious interventions cannot be overstated. The treatment fidelity checklist developed for research can be easily adopted to support accurate implementation in clinical practice through an audit process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Very young children from lower socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds often show poorer language development. Whilst there have been attempts to provide early intervention programmes, these sometimes miss the most disadvantaged groups. Aims: This report presents preliminary feasibility and effectiveness data for a novel language intervention designed for parents of toddlers in the United Kingdom. Methods and Procedures: In total, 43 UK families of 2–4‐year‐olds were recruited to the study, half of whom completed an 8‐week course (Tots Talking) focussed on parent interaction, and half of whom acted as wait‐list controls. Results and Outcomes: Results suggest that such programmes are feasible for families with 86% staying in the intervention. In addition, greater changes in underlying communication skills such as joint attention and gesture were evident compared to wait‐list controls. Conclusions and Implications: We conclude that pre‐verbal skills may be more important to measure as initial outcomes than language or vocabulary change in this population. What This Paper Adds: What is already known on the subject: Children from lower socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds are at higher risk of communication difficulties and there is a need for community intervention programmes for very young children. What this study adds: This study suggests that such programmes can be feasible and effective, but that very early/basic communicative skills (such as joint attention) may be boosted first rather than language or vocabulary. What are the clinical implications of this work?: Children's centres and other community services could feasibly run short parent facing courses emphasising contingent communication in low SES families and other diverse groups. These may be more successful run with younger preschoolers. Joint attention may be a better focus of intervention before expecting vocabulary or language change. Community health professionals may find this information useful in referring and supporting families in need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although many countries have diverse populations and bilingual students, most handwriting research focused on monolingual students, and the issue of cross-linguistic transfer gained less attention. Moreover, research on the effect of socio-linguistic factors on cross-linguistic transfer of handwriting is scarce. This study compared handwriting performance of fourth-grade students attending bilingual schools, who wrote in their primary (L1) to second (L2) languages, and the effect of socio-linguistic factors on the transfer of handwriting performance. Method: Ninety-five typically developing fourth-grade students were recruited from three bilingual (Hebrew-Arabic) schools in Israel. Participants were administered a paper-pencil motor coordination task as well as reading and handwriting tests in their L1 and L2. Results: Transfer effect was not uniform and was stronger among the Arabic-speaking group. Reading speed and handwriting automaticity in L2 and handwriting speed in L1 predicted 70% of the variance in L2 handwriting speed. Conclusion: These findings may be explained by the complexity of Arabic orthography, as well as the low level of exposure of the Hebrew-speaking students to Arabic, which is a minority language. These results can guide occupational therapists in addressing factors affecting handwriting difficulties, and in considering socio-linguistic factors necessary for mastering handwriting in teaching a second language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several medications have been applied to Alzheimer's dementia patients (AD) but their efficacies have been insufficient. The efficacy and safety of 4 weeks of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in Japanese AD were evaluated in this exploratory clinical trial. Methods: Forty-two patients, aged 60-93 years (average, 76.4 years), who were taking medication (> 6 months) and had Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores ≤ 25 and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale scores (CDR-J) of 1 or 2, were enrolled in this single-center, prospective, randomized, three-arm study [i.e., 120% resting motor threshold (120% RMT), 90% RMT for the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and Sham]. Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Japanese Cognitive (ADAS-J cog), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J), Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGIC), Neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI), and EuroQOL 5 Dimensions 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) were administered. The primary endpoint was the mean change from baseline in the MMSE score (week 4). An active rTMS session involved applying 15 trains bilaterally (40 pulses/train at 10 Hz; intertrain interval, 26 s). Participants received ≥ 8 interventions within the first 2 weeks and at least one intervention weekly in the 3rd and 4th weeks. Full Analysis set (FAS) included 40 patients [120% RMT (n = 15), 90% RMT (n = 13), and Sham (n = 12)]. Results: In the FAS, MMSE, ADAS-J cog, MoCA-J, CDR-J, CGIC, NPI, and EQ-5D-5L scores between the three groups were not significantly different. Two patients were erroneously switched between the 120% RMT and 90% RMT groups, therefore, "as treated" patients were mainly analyzed. Post hoc analysis revealed significant treatment efficacy in participants with MMSE scores ≥ 15, favoring the 120% RMT group over the Sham group. Responder analysis revealed 41.7% of the 120% RMT group had a ≥ 3-point improvement in the ADAS-J cog versus 0% in the Sham group (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.045). The MoCA-J showed the same tendency but was not significant. Efficacy disappeared in week 20, based on the ADAS-cog and MoCA-J. No intervention-related serious adverse events occurred. Conclusion: This paper is the first report of using rTMS in Japanese AD patients. The treatment seems safe and moderate-mild stage AD should be target population of pivotal clinical trial with 120% RMT rTMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple external representations (MERs) play an important role in the learning field of mathematics. Whereas the cognitive theory of multimedia learning and the integrative text and picture comprehension model assume that the heterogeneous combination of symbolic and analogous representations fosters learning; the design, functions, and tasks framework holds that learning benefits depend on the specific functions of MERs. The current paper describes a conceptual replication study of one of the few studies comparing single representations, heterogeneous, and homogeneous MERs in the context of mathematics learning. In a balanced incomplete block design, the participants were provided single representations (a graphic, text, or formula) or a heterogeneous (e.g., text + graphic) or homogeneous (text + formula) combination of these to solve linear system of equations problems. In accordance with previous research, performance was superior in conditions providing MERs compared to single‐representation conditions. Moreover, heterogeneous MERs led to time savings over homogeneous MERs which triggered an increase in cognitive load. Contrary to previous research, text was the least fixated representation whereas the graphical representation proved to be most beneficial. With regard to practical implications, experts should be fostered through more challenging homogeneous MERs whereas novices should be supported through the accessible graphic contained in heterogeneous MERs. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Providing multiple instead of single representations can foster mathematics learning.However, some combinations of representations hamper the performance of novice learners.The classical multimedia view explains the positive effect of combining text with picture.Recent research suggests the combination of multiple symbolic representations (text and formula). What this paper adds: The study replicated the effect of multiple symbolic representations for equation solving.In contrast to former research, each representation (text, formula, and graphic) was functionally equivalent.Tasks with differently coded representations were solved faster and with less mental effort.Gaze behavior indicated that students mostly used the graphical representation. Implications for practice and/or policy: Beginners should be supported with a graphic when solving equations.Experts should be challenged with a combination of symbolic representations to benefit the most. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper is a follow‐up study continuing the COVISTRESS network previous research regarding health‐related determinants. Objective: The aim was to identify the main consequences of COVID‐19 lockdown on Body MassIndex and Perceived Fragility, related to Physical Activity (PA), for different categories of populations, worldwide. Design: The study design included an online survey, during the first wave of COVID‐19 lockdown, across different world regions. Setting and participants: The research was carried out on 10 121 participants from 67 countries. The recruitment of participants was achieved using snowball sampling techniques via social networks, with no exclusion criteria other than social media access. Main outcome measures: Body MassIndex, Physical Activity, Perceived Fragility and risk of getting infected items were analysed. SPSS software, v20, was used. Significance was set at P <.05. Results: Body MassIndex significantly increased during lockdown. For youth and young adults (18‐35 years), PA decreased by 31.25%, for adults (36‐65 years) by 26.05% and for the elderly (over 65 years) by 30.27%. There was a high level of Perceived Fragility and risk of getting infected for female participants and the elderly. Correlations between BMI, Perceived Fragility and PA were identified. Discussion and Conclusions: The research results extend and confirm evidence that the elderly are more likely to be at risk, by experiencing weight gain, physical inactivity and enhanced Perceived Fragility. As a consequence, populations need to counteract the constraints imposed by the lockdown by being physically active. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between self-awareness (insight) and outcome following acquired brain injury (ABI) is well recognised, but evidence suggests that information regarding brain injury and its cognitive impact is not adequately conveyed to social workers, or appropriately considered when assessing support needs and a person's capacity to make decisions about their care. The Brain Injury Needs Indicator (BINI) provides a solution, by enabling the valid assessment of the needs of those with brain injuries living in a community setting. This paper investigated associations between impaired insight, functional outcome of brain injury, and level of risk, and validated the use of the BINI as an indicator of need. A high prevalence of severe disability (73 per cent) and low insight (30 per cent) was found in a sample of thirty individuals with ABI. The composite BINI score was the measure most strongly related with a clinical assessment of risk (rs = 0.72, N  =   26). Self-report methods may underestimate support needs, especially in those with low levels of insight into their difficulties. The BINI, which combines outcome post-ABI with a measure of insight, provides a more accurate estimate of risk than either measure individually. It is important to include both areas in individual needs assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Occupational therapy often involves handwriting acquisition practices that include the non‐dominant hand when improvements in the dominant hand function are not possible because of trauma or stroke. This study explored whether character tracing and using a pegboard can effectively improve the handwriting of the non‐dominant hand. Methods: A randomised controlled trial involving 60 healthy university students aged ≥18 years was conducted. Participants were randomly assigned to the writing group, peg group or control group. The character recognition rate was evaluated by computer software. Furthermore, character quality and writing speed were evaluated by humans using global legibility scales. Evaluations were performed before the intervention (baseline) and on days 5 and 10 of the intervention. Using the non‐dominant hand, the writing group traced characters on paper with a ballpoint pen, and the peg group used a pegboard for 15 min/day for 10 days. Results: Compared with the peg and control groups, the writing group showed significant improvements in the character recognition rate and global legibility scale score. However, the global legibility scale score did not improve to the same level as that achieved with the dominant hand. None of the evaluation scores of the peg group showed significant improvements compared with those of the control group. There were no significant differences in improvements in the writing speed of the writing and peg groups compared with the control group. Conclusion: Tracing characters can improve the handwriting ability of the non‐dominant hand, but using a pegboard may be less effective. Future research is needed to examine how much practice is necessary to improve the handwriting ability of the non‐dominant hand sufficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are essential clinical instruments used for assessing patient function, assisting in clinical decision making, and quantifying outcomes of surgical and nonsurgical management. However, PROMs are often designed using patients with preexisting pathology and typically assume that a patient without the pathology would have a perfect or near perfect score. This may result in unrealistic expectations or falsely underestimate how well a patient is doing after treatment. The influence of age on PROMs about the hip of healthy individuals has not been studied. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that in asymptomatic individuals hip-specific PROM scores will decrease in an age-dependent manor. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: In this multicenter survey study, volunteers who denied preexisting hip pathology and previous hip surgery completed 3 PROMs online or as traditional paper questionnaires. The International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT), the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), and the Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL) and HOS—Sport were completed. Analysis of variance with a Tukey post hoc test was used to analyze differences in PROMs among subgroups. An independent-samples Student t test and a χ2 test were used to analyze differences in continuous and categorical data, respectively. Results: In total 496, 571, 534, and 532 responses were collected for the iHOT, mHHS, HOS-ADL, and HOS–Sport, respectively. Respondents' PROMs were scored and arranged into 3 groups by age: <40 years, 40 to 60 years, and >60 years. The iHOT, mHHS, HOS-ADL, and HOS–Sport of these asymptomatic respondents all decreased in an age-dependent manner: iHOT (<40, 94.1; 40-60, 92.4; >60, 87.0), mHHS (<40, 94.8; 40-60, 91.3; >60, 89.1), HOS-ADL (<40, 98.4; 40-60, 95.0; >60, 90.9), and HOS–Sport (<40, 95.7; 40-60, 82.9; >60, 72.9) (analysis of variance between-group differences, P <.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the iHOT, mHHS, and HOS-ADL and HOS–Sport scores in asymptomatic people decrease in an age-dependent manner. It is important to compare a patient's outcome scores with the age-normalized scores to establish an accurate reference frame with which to interpret outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the increasing pervasiveness of today's digital society, mobile devices are changing the face of education. Students can interact with mobile devices in context‐aware environment. This paper presents a mobile application based on expert system (Plant‐E) for students to acquire knowledge about plant classification by answering decision‐making questions. In order to study effectiveness of Plant‐E and cognitive load of students who experience different kinds of interaction in learning process, another mobile application (Plant‐G) only providing information pages of plants was developed. A quasi‐experiment was conducted with three classes of 137 seventh graders. The three classes, Class A with 46 students using Plant‐E in campus, Class B with 44 students using Plant‐G in campus, and Class C with 47 students using Plant‐G in a traditional classroom, constitute three groups with different interaction complexity. The research conducted pretest, posttest, and delayed test to evaluate learning performance of students in three classes and used a questionnaire to investigate their perceptions and attitudes towards proposed system. Results show that interaction complexity has an impact on students' learning performance and mental effort in mobile learning; the higher the interaction complexity is, the higher mental effort and the better learning performance in mobile learning will be. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Mobile devices can be used to meet the urgency of learning need and can provide guidance and clues for learners in context‐aware environment.During mobile learning in context‐aware environment, students need to interact with mobile devices and environment.Mental effort reflects cognitive load related to interaction complexity, and it can affect learning performance.Self‐efficacy affects the degree of mental effort by affecting the firmness of performance goal.Cognitive load and learning performance are the main concerns that need to be considered when evaluating the effectiveness of mobile learning. What this paper adds: Interaction complexity has an impact on students' learning performance and mental effort in mobile learning.In terms of the three levels of interaction complexity in this study, the higher the interaction complexity is, the better the results that students will get in mobile learning.The higher the interaction complexity is, the higher the mental effort that students invested into in mobile learning would be.The medium self‐efficacy group invested the most mental effort and got the best grades, rather than the high or low group.Rule‐based mobile learning expert system is feasible and effective for students to learn by interacting with learning objects in context‐aware environment. Implications for practice and/or policy: Efforts should be made to make mobile learning systems more interactive; for example, learners can learn more effectively by interacting with mobile system, which can improve the frequency of observing learning objects.Rule‐based mobile learning expert system can give learners more opportunities to know how experts do when solving problems and can provide a potential method for students to learn in context‐aware environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID‐19 outbreak came with an unprecedented opportunity to investigate how the new reality of social distancing and limited international travel will affect the organization of academic conferences. Objectives: Drawing on conceptualization of academic conferences as professional learning spaces, in this study, we examine the factors associated with the perceived value of purely virtual academic conferences and how such perceptions differ between participants from different research fields. The aim was to gain knowledge about factors that should be considered when designing a virtual conference. Methods: Survey data from participants of three different virtual conferences were collected (N = 311). Kendall's rank correlation and χ2‐analyses were performed. Results and Conclusion: Results show satisfaction with social interaction, the extent to which presentations met participants' topics of interest and the perceived importance of learning and getting an overview on the research topic to be related to the value rating. Researchers from different research fields differ significantly in their opinion about the most appropriate conference format regarding getting an overview on the research topic. For some researchers, virtual participation might be a valuable alternative to attending a conference in person. The study serves as a first attempt to understand how and for which target groups virtual conferences serve as a valuable learning event. Further research on this conference format is needed. Lay Description: What is already known about the topic: Prior to the pandemic only a few academic conferences were held purely virtual, thus scientific knowledge about this event format was rather scarce.Research on face‐to‐face conferences identified these events as platforms for networking and learning with a focus on social interaction.Mainly informal social interaction and networking is limited in the virtual space. What this paper adds: First insights how and for which target groups virtual conferences serve as a valuable learning event.Perceptions about the most appropriate conference format regarding certain conference aspects among researchers from different fields. Implications for practice: Formal interaction opportunities should be considered when designing a virtual conference.Virtual conferences are valuable events especially for those people, who focus on learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of KONTAKT - Journal of Nursing & Social Sciences related to Health & Illness is the property of University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Health & Social Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana is the property of Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Biomedicas de la Universidad Ricardo Palma and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present paper contributes an Australian focus to the growing body of research on trans and gender diverse people's family and romantic relationships. A survey designed by the authors was completed by 160 trans or gender diverse Australians. A negative correlation was found between discrimination from families of origin and perceptions of support, and conversely a positive correlation was found between perceptions of support and emotional closeness. Analysis of open-ended responses suggested that support was primarily constituted by (1) emotional support, (2) utilising correct pronouns and names, and (3) financial support. Discrimination by families of origin was primarily constituted by (1) refusal to use correct pronouns and names, (2) exclusion from family events, and (3) pathologising responses. The findings in regard to romantic relationships suggest that trans women were more likely than trans men or gender diverse people to experience challenges in negotiating romantic relationships. A negative correlation was found between difficulties in negotiating romantic relationships and belief in the likelihood that an “ideal” romantic relationship would occur in the future. Difficulties in negotiating romantic relationships were primarily described in terms of (1) anxiety over potential responses, (2) discrimination from potential partners, and (3) lack of self-acceptance. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of these findings for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background/aim: Scientific conferences provide a forum for clinicians, educators, students and researchers to share research findings. To be selected to present at a scientific conference, authors must submit a short abstract which is then rated on its scientific quality and professional merit and is accepted or rejected based on these ratings. Previous research has indicated that inter‐rater variability can have a substantial impact on abstract selection decisions. For their 2015 conference, the Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference introduced a system to identify and adjust for inter‐rater variability in the abstract ranking and selection process. Method: Ratings for 1340 abstracts submitted for the 2015 and 2017 conferences were analysed using many‐faceted Rasch analysis to identify and adjust for inter‐rater variability. Analyses of the construct validity of the abstract rating instrument and rater consistency were completed. To quantify the influence of inter‐rater variability of abstract selection decisions, comparisons were made between decisions made using Rasch‐calibrated measure scores and decisions that would have been made based purely on raw average scores derived from the abstract ratings. Results: Construct validity and measurement properties of the abstract rating tool were good to excellent (item fit MnSq scores ranged from 0.8 to 1.2; item reliability index = 1.0). Most raters (24 of 27, 89%) were consistent in their use of the rating instrument. When comparing abstract allocations under the two conditions, 25% of abstracts (n = 341) would have been allocated differently if inter‐rater variability was not accounted for. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that, even with a strong abstract rating instrument and a small rater pool, inter‐rater variability still exerts a substantial influence on abstract selection decisions. It is recommended that all occupational therapy conferences internationally, and scientific conferences more generally, adopt systems to identify and adjust for the impact of inter‐rater variability in abstract selection processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary: What is known on the subject?: Coercive interventions (CI) in emergency psychiatry face increasing criticism, as they can be an emotional, even traumatic event for all persons involved. They are thus considered the last resort.The use of coercive interventions differs widely with regard to type and frequency of measures across different countries and institutions.Individual staff characteristics, such as attitudes towards coercion, may play a vital role in the management of aggression.Little is known about the influence of emotions of staff members on CI, but they are likely to play an important role. What the paper adds to existing knowledge?: Most staff members surveyed had a rather critical view of coercion and considered it a "necessary evil."Staff members with the most work experience had a more critical view of coercion in comparison with less experienced staff. Nurses rated coercion more positively than did psychiatrists or psychologists.Emotions play an important role in decision‐making processes. The current study systematically asked for accompanying emotions during the application of CI and looked for individual differences. A majority of the participants experienced compassion; about half felt helplessness, grief or anxiety. Almost 20% stated that they felt a sense of power. Older staff members more often felt anger or guilt; women felt less power than men did. Nurses felt more desperation than other occupational groups.Staff members consider reflective interventions, such as team supervisions or post‐seclusion/restraint debriefings with the patient, as important. Nevertheless, only half reported that these interventions are carried out routinely.Staff members believe that certain risk factors (including stress, low staffing, a fully occupied ward and the presence of particular staff members) enhance the probability of CI. What are the implications for practice?: To reduce the use of coercive interventions, we recommend that psychiatric teams include highly experienced staff members as work experience has a positive effect on the attitudes towards coercive interventions.Structured post‐seclusion/restraint debriefings and team supervisions are considered helpful by staff members and are relatively easy to implement on acute wards. Enhancing staff members' ability to reflect on their own attitudes, emotions and actions is likely to reduce coercive interventions. Introduction: Little is known about staff attitudes towards coercive interventions (CI) and emotions accompanying these measures. Aim: The current study assessed attitudes, views on reflective interventions and accompanying emotions of different occupational groups towards CI, as well as factors, that increase the probability of CI. Method: Staff members (N = 138) of a large psychiatric hospital in Germany were assessed using the Staff Attitude to Coercion Scale (SACS) and newly developed items assessing staff members' emotions and views on coercion. Results: Experienced staff members were most critical of coercion. Nurses rated coercion significantly more positively than other staff. A majority experienced compassion; about half felt helplessness, grief or anxiety. Almost 20% felt a sense of power. Nurses felt the most desperation. Participants strongly desired reflective measures such as post‐seclusion/restraint debriefings with patients. According to staff members, stress on the wards and low staffing increases the probability of CI. Discussion: The study assessed accompanying emotions during the application of CI. Attitudes towards coercion and emotions are associated with individual staff characteristics (e.g. profession, work experience). Implications: The presence of experienced staff members may help prevent CI. Staff consider reflective interventions helpful in reducing CI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which investigated the use of the Hirsch's (h)-index in measuring the quality of the output of health services researchers. Topics discussed include the increase in the h-index of qualitative researchers and statisticians, the calculation of pairwise Spearman's rank correlations for the number of publications, number of citations and 10-index and the results of a quantile regression to predict the median, 90th and 95th quantiles for h-index.