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People with a history of injecting drug use are a priority for eliminating blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections. Identifying them for disease surveillance in electronic medical records (EMRs) is challenged by sparsity of predictors. This study introduced a novel approach to phenotype people who have injected drugs using structured EMR data and interactive human-in-the-loop methods. We iteratively trained random forest classifiers removing important features and adding new positive labels each time. The initial model achieved 92.7% precision and 93.5% recall. Models maintained >90% precision and recall after nine iterations, revealing combinations of less obvious features influencing predictions. Applied to approximately 1.7 million patients, the final model identified 128,704 (7.7%) patients as potentially having injected drugs, beyond the 50,510 (2.9%) with known indicators of injecting drug use. This process produced explainable models that revealed otherwise hidden combinations of predictors, offering an adaptive approach to addressing the inherent challenge of inconsistently missing data in EMRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rising globally, against the trend of other cancers. People with liver cirrhosis, even after hepatitis C treatment still face a high risk of HCC, requiring ongoing enrolment in HCC surveillance, and new technologies to improve diagnostic sensitivity are being explored. However, their impact on HCC survival remains uncertain relative to improving adherence to existing surveillance methods. This study uses mathematical modeling to assess how different strategies can reduce deaths from liver cancer in people with cirrhosis after being cured of hepatitis C. We compared the impact of improved adherence to ultrasound screening with increased HCC imaging sensitivity on HCC survival. Notably, we found that even modest enhancements in surveillance adherence (5–10 percentage point increases) exhibited significant survival benefits for people with hepatitis C-related cirrhosis, outperforming improvements in diagnostic sensitivity. Background & Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a significant global health challenge, particularly among individuals with liver cirrhosis, with hepatitis C (HCV) a major cause. In people with HCV-related cirrhosis, an increased risk of HCC remains after cure. HCC surveillance with six monthly ultrasounds has been shown to improve survival. However, adherence to biannual screening is currently suboptimal. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of increased HCC surveillance uptake and improved ultrasound sensitivity on mortality among people with HCV-related cirrhosis post HCV cure. Methods: This study utilized mathematical modelling to assess HCC progression, surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment among individuals with cirrhosis who had successfully been treated for HCV. The deterministic compartmental model incorporated Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages to simulate disease progression and diagnosis probabilities in 100 people with cirrhosis who had successfully been treated for hepatitis C over 10 years. Four interventions were modelled to assess their potential for improving life expectancy: realistic improvements to surveillance adherence, optimistic improvements to surveillance adherence, diagnosis sensitivity enhancements, and improved treatment efficacy Results: Realistic adherence improvements resulted in 9.8 (95% CI 7.9, 11.6) life years gained per cohort of 100 over a 10-year intervention period; 17.2 (13.9, 20.3) life years were achieved in optimistic adherence improvements. Diagnosis sensitivity improvements led to a 7.0 (3.6, 13.8) year gain in life years, and treatment improvements improved life years by 9.0 (7.5, 10.3) years. Conclusions: Regular HCC ultrasound surveillance remains crucial to reduce mortality among people with cured hepatitis C and cirrhosis. Our study highlights that even minor enhancements to adherence to ultrasound surveillance can significantly boost life expectancy across populations more effectively than strategies that increase surveillance sensitivity or treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Applying the knowledge gained through implementation science can support the uptake of research evidence into practice; however, those doing and supporting implementation (implementation practitioners) may face barriers to applying implementation science in their work. One strategy to enhance individuals' and teams' ability to apply implementation science in practice is through training and professional development opportunities (capacity-building initiatives). Although there is an increasing demand for and offerings of implementation practice capacity-building initiatives, there is no universal agreement on what content should be included. In this study we aimed to explore what capacity-building developers and deliverers identify as essential training content for teaching implementation practice. Methods: We conducted a convergent mixed-methods study with participants who had developed and/or delivered a capacity-building initiative focused on teaching implementation practice. Participants completed an online questionnaire to provide details on their capacity-building initiatives; took part in an interview or focus group to explore their questionnaire responses in depth; and offered course materials for review. We analyzed a subset of data that focused on the capacity-building initiatives' content and curriculum. We used descriptive statistics for quantitative data and conventional content analysis for qualitative data, with the data sets merged during the analytic phase. We presented frequency counts for each category to highlight commonalities and differences across capacity-building initiatives. Results: Thirty-three individuals representing 20 capacity-building initiatives participated. Study participants identified several core content areas included in their capacity-building initiatives: (1) taking a process approach to implementation; (2) identifying and applying implementation theories, models, frameworks, and approaches; (3) learning implementation steps and skills; (4) developing relational skills. In addition, study participants described offering applied and pragmatic content (e.g., tools and resources), and tailoring and evolving the capacity-building initiative content to address emerging trends in implementation science. Study participants highlighted some challenges learners face when acquiring and applying implementation practice knowledge and skills. Conclusions: This study synthesized what experienced capacity-building initiative developers and deliverers identify as essential content for teaching implementation practice. These findings can inform the development, refinement, and delivery of capacity-building initiatives, as well as future research directions, to enhance the translation of implementation science into practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although links between social relationships and health are well established, few studies have concurrently examined the effects of compositional, structural, and functional dimensions of social networks on glycemic (HbA1c) control in low- and middle-income countries such as Ghana. In these settings where informal social relationships are critical for access to resources, evaluating the links between social network characteristics, social support, and glycemic control may provide clarity about important relationships that facilitate the well-being of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In 2018, we conducted a hospital-based, cross-sectional survey of noninstitutionalized adults with T2DM in Ghana. Using data from 247 study participants, multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate associations between: 1) HbA1c and three social network characteristics (kin composition, household composition, and network density); 2) social support and the three social network characteristics; and 3) HbA1c and social support. We also examined gender differences in these associations and applied mediation techniques to determine if network characteristics operated through social support to affect HbA1c. Findings indicated that higher kin composition and higher household composition were each significantly associated with increased social support. Neither social support nor social network characteristics were significantly related to HbA1c, and there were no gender differences in any of these associations. Although family and household members were identified as important sources of social support for diabetes management, the ways in which they influence HbA1c control among Ghanaians require further investigation. Future studies can examine whether changes in social support over time, social support satisfaction, or other dimensions of social relationships improve T2DM outcomes in countries like Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stigma is a formidable burden for survivors of lung cancer that can reduce the quality of life (QOL), resulting in physical, social and psychological challenges. This study investigates associations between stigma and depression, QOL and demographic and health‐related characteristics, including race. Design: An adapted conceptual model derived from the Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale guided this descriptive correlation study assessing stigma in African American and Caucasian survivors of lung cancer. Self‐reported, written surveys measuring depression, QOL, lung cancer stigma and demographics were administered. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess associations between stigma and depression, stigma and QOL and stigma and race, while adjusting for demographic characteristics. Results: Participants (N = 56) included 30 Caucasian and 26 African American survivors of lung cancer recruited from a cancer registry of an American College of Surgeons‐accredited programme, a survivors' support club and an ambulatory oncology practice in the southeastern United States. Statistical analysis yielded (1) a significant moderate positive association between depression and lung cancer stigma; (2) a significant moderate negative association between QOL and lung cancer stigma; and (3) significant relationships between race and lung cancer stigma, specifically higher degree of stigma among African Americans compared to Caucasians. Conclusion: Stigma affects many aspects of survivors' lives. Healthcare professionals need to consider how health‐related stigma may further complicate the physical burdens, psychological distresses and social challenges that accompany the disease, especially among African American survivors. Additional enquiry and interventions are needed to assist with mitigating the negative effects of stigma on survivors and their family members and friends. Patient or Public Contribution: Fifty‐six survivors of lung cancer participated in this descriptivecorrelation study. They completed written surveys measuring depression, QOL, and lung cancer stigma, plus an investigator‐developed demographic information form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether the frequency of participation in religious activities and seeking care from spiritual and other traditional medicine (TM) practitioners were associated with blood glucose (HbA1c) control among urban Ghanaians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Findings revealed that increased frequency of participation in religious activities was significantly associated with decreased HbA1c levels, whereas increased use of TM practitioners was significantly associated with increased HbA1c levels. These findings suggest that strategically integrating religious activities into disease management plans for Ghanaians with T2DM who identify as being religious may be a viable intervention mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been reported among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) globally including GBM with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HIV-negative GBM, particularly those using HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). In Australia, HCV direct-acting antiviral treatment (DAA) was government-funded from 2016. Large implementation studies of PrEP also began in 2016. We examined HCV incidence among GBM to assess whether HCV incidence has changed since 2015. Methods Data were drawn from the Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance. We included GBM who tested HCV antibody negative at their first test and had ≥1 subsequent test. Generalized linear modeling (Poisson distribution) was used to examine HCV incidence from 2009 to 2019 stratified by HIV status, and among HIV-negative GBM prescribed PrEP from 2016 to 2019. Results Among 6744 GBM with HIV, HCV incidence was 1.03 per 100 person-years (PY). Incidence declined by 78% in 2019 compared to 2015 (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.22 [95% confidence interval {CI}:.09–.55]). Among 20 590 HIV-negative GBM, HCV incidence was 0.20/100 PY, with no significant change over time. Among 11 661 HIV-negative GBM prescribed PrEP, HCV incidence was 0.29/100 PY. Compared to 2016, incidence among GBM prescribed PrEP declined by 80% in 2019 (IRR, 0.20 [95% CI:.06–.64]). Conclusions HCV incidence among GBM living with HIV declined following DAA availability. There was no observed change in HCV incidence among HIV-negative GBM overall. Among GBM prescribed PrEP, incidence declined since the early years of PrEP implementation in Australia. Australia is on track to eliminate HCV among GBM before global 2030 targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conversations about pictorial cigarette health warning labels (HWLs) encourage quit attempts, and prior research suggests prevalence of these conversations varies by ethnicity. We assessed the frequency of conversations about text-only HWLs among Latino and non-Latino white smokers and the relationship between conversations and subsequent quit attempts. Methods: Latino and non-Latino white adult smokers in the United States (N = 4403) were surveyed every 4 months over 2 years. Surveys queried smoking behaviors, recent quit attempts, HWL responses, including HWL conversations, and socio-demographic variables. Negative binomial generalized estimating equation (GEE) models regressed the frequency of HWL conversations on study variables. Logistic GEE models regressed quit attempts at follow-up surveys on responses from the prior wave, including frequency of HWL conversations and their interaction with ethnicity. Results: Spanish preference Latinos reported the most HWL conversations (85%), followed by English preference Latinos (59%), and non-Latino Whites (35%). More frequent HWL conversations predicted subsequent quit attempts (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.32, 2.30), but ethnicity did not moderate this effect. Conclusions: Latinos appear to talk more frequently about HWLs than non-Latino Whites but are no more likely to quit as a result. Cessation campaigns should use messages that encourage conversations about quitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined differences in perspective taking and empathic emotions in letters written by young adults with grandparents with dementia (GD; N = 21) versus those with grandparents without dementia (GND; N = 45). College students wrote a letter to either their grandparent with dementia or their grandparent without dementia. The letters were coded for perspective taking and empathic emotions. Perspective taking was operationalized as participants' scores on a perspective-taking orientation scale as well as number of second-person pronouns and number of shared experiences in the letters. Compared with participants in the GND group, those in the GDs group reported greater perspective taking, higher levels of tenderness and empathic distress, but similar levels of sympathy toward their grandparent. These findings suggest that interpersonal interventions should capitalize on family members' higher orientation toward taking the perspective of their family member with dementia and their empathic feelings of tenderness toward that person. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Derangements in blood lipid and lipoprotein metabolism are one of the leading causes of coronary heart disease (CHD). Therapeutic lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise are often prescribed to improve blood lipid and lipoprotein characteristics, but the efficacy of a telephone‐based health coaching program has not been thoroughly explored. Our purpose was to examine effects of the Our Healthy Heart (OHH) Program on blood lipid and lipoprotein characteristics of individuals with mixed dyslipidaemia. Methods: Cholesterol content of serum very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and high‐density (HDL) subfractions and apolipoprotein concentrations were measured by vertical‐density ultracentrifugation (Vertical Auto Profile (VAP)) from 1522 individuals with mixed dyslipidaemia (age 18–99 years, body mass index (BMI) 25–40, 62.7% female). Telephone‐based health coaching (OHH, n = 722) or standard care (Control, n = 800) was provided for six months followed by VAP to evaluate changes in lipid and lipoprotein concentrations. Controls were obtained from individuals with similar blood lipid/lipoprotein characteristics who did not participate in the OHH Program. Coaches collected baseline self‐reported data on anthropometrics, food intake and exercise. Participants in the OHH group were then prescribed a hypocaloric 500 kcal/day caloric deficit with encouragement to participate in physical activity. A two‐way ANOVA was used to examine differences between groups over time, with results presented as means ± standard deviation. Results: Health coaching significantly decreased serum concentrations of apoB100 (104.5 ± 25.8–94.3 ± 24.8 mg/dL), shifted LDL pattern size from B to A or A/B in over 60% of the OHH group and decreased cholesterol content of all VLDL subfractions (P < 0.05) compared to the control. Conclusions: Telephone‐based health coaching recommendations to reduce dietary energy intake and increase physical activity produced significant improvements in cholesterol content of atherogenic lipoproteins, which are known to increase CHD risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional research is needed to guide the design of narratives for use in practice-oriented, naturalistic settings to maximize health behavior change, particularly among populations affected by health disparities. This mixed-methods study explored the influence of cultural tailoring and emotional arousal on identification and message recall in narratives promoting childhood obesity prevention among 40 Mexican American mothers. Participants were also asked about narrative exposure, narrative preferences, and beliefs about the purpose of a story. Participants were randomly assigned to listen to two stories: (a) a story tailored on noncultural or cultural variables, and (b) a story designed to enhance or minimize emotional arousal. Participants reported high engagement and identification with all stories. Participants generally envisioned protagonists as Latina, despite limited cues, and identified with protagonists in four ways: sharing personal characteristics; having similar thoughts and feelings; engaging in similar actions; and experiencing similar situations. Mothers were most interested in narratives that helped them to improve their lives. Findings from this study yield several hypotheses for consideration in future study, including ways in which story setting and message enactment may moderate message recall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shoulder injuries in working age adults result in a major cost to the health care system. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a new multidisciplinary rehabilitation program and to explore factors that affected a successful return to work (RTW) in injured workers with shoulder problems who received this program. Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study. The patient-oriented outcome measures were the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH). Range of motion (ROM) in flexion, abduction, and external rotation and strength in lifting and push/pull were documented. All outcomes were measured before and at the completion of the program. Results: Data of 68 patients were used for analysis. All outcomes showed a statistically significant improvement over time. Conclusions:Multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs help to improve pain, disability, ROM, strength, and facilitate RTW. Higher stress and a fast-paced work environment increased the risk of not progressing in work status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This research sought to further validate the rat nitroglycerin (NTG) migraine model by comparing the effects of single versus recurrent NTG episodes on behavioral endpoints that mirror ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria for migraine, and to determine if the altered behavioral endpoints are reduced after administration of sumatriptan. Methods: Separate cohorts of rats were administered NTG (10 mg/kg/2 ml) or saline (Experiment 1: single injection; Experiment 2: repeated injections; Experiment 3: repeated injections with sumatriptan [0.0, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg/ml] rescue. Behavioral endpoints were assessed 2 h after final NTG administration and included time in light/dark chambers for photophobia and activity, pain facial ratings, and cool (5 °C) and warm (46 °C) tail dip. Results: The first two experiments demonstrated that repeated ( n = 5) but not single NTG injections produced photophobia, decreased activity, and yielded less weight gain than saline injections. Experiment 3 showed that sumatriptan attenuated hypoactivity, reduced facial expressions of pain, and reversed weight alterations in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: These findings identify numerous clinical homologies of a recurrent NTG rat migraine model that may be useful for screening novel pharmacotherapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Migraine frequently co-occurs with and is triggered by sleep disturbance, particularly insomnia, and the large majority of patients with chronic migraine (CM) have comorbid insomnia. Limited evidence suggests that behavioral regulation of sleep may reduce migraine frequency, but studies to date have not assessed the viability of stimulus control and sleep restriction interventions or included objective measurement of sleep parameters. The aim of this study, thus, was to pilot-test the efficacy of a brief behavioral insomnia intervention for adults with CM and comorbid insomnia; headache diaries and actigraphy were included to assess outcomes throughout the trial. Methods This randomized parallel-arm pilot trial recruited adults with both CM and comorbid insomnia. Participants were randomly assigned to three 30-minute biweekly sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) or control treatment. Participants were blinded to treatment and control conditions to control for outcome expectations. Each treatment condition involved training in and daily practice in 5 instructions/skills. The CBTi group learned and practiced skills pertaining to stimulus control and sleep restriction. The control intervention was the same as used by Calhoun and Ford (2007) and involved training in and daily practice of skills pertaining to keeping a consistent food/liquid intake, range of motion exercises, and acupressure. Participants provided outcome data via daily headache diaries, actigraphy, and self-report measures. The primary outcome was reduction in headache frequency at 2 weeks post-treatment and 6-week follow-up; secondary outcomes included other headache parameters, objective actigraphic and subjective changes in sleep, and treatment effect sizes and perceived credibility. Generalized estimating equations with a binomial logit link and inverse probability weights were used to assess the primary outcome among the intent-to-treat sample, and repeated measures generalized linear models were used to assess changes in secondary outcomes after controlling for baseline values. Results The intent-to-treat analyses included 31 adults (M age = 30.8 [12.9] years; 90.3% female; 80.6% white) with CM and comorbid insomnia. Both interventions yielded reductions in headache frequency at post-treatment (26.9% reduction for CBTi vs 36.2% for control) and follow-up (48.9% for CBTi vs 25.0% for control). At follow-up the odds of experiencing headache were 60% lower for CBTi than for control treatment, indicative of a large effect size that did not reach statistical significance after Bonferroni correction for assessing two primary endpoints (odds ratio: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.91; P = .028). CBTi produced significantly larger increases than control treatment in total sleep time and sleep efficiency as quantified by actigraphy, as well as in self-reported insomnia severity. Adherence was high and treatments were perceived as credible without differences between groups, but the control group experienced a higher rate of dropouts. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions Behavioral treatment of comorbid insomnia in individuals with CM produced large reductions in headache frequency, though some improvement in headache occurred with a behavioral intervention not focused on modifying sleep. Among the CBTi group only, both headache frequency and sleep parameters continued to improve after treatment, suggesting the presence of enduring effects over time. Directly treating insomnia using components of stimulus control and sleep restriction holds promise for reducing comorbid migraine. Development of and comparison to a truly inert pseudotherapy control presents unique challenges that future studies should address. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Patients can make valuable contributions towards promoting the safety of their health care. Health care professionals ( HCPs) could play an important role in encouraging patient involvement in safety-relevant behaviours. However, to date factors that determine HCPs' attitudes towards patient participation in this area remain largely unexplored. Objective To investigate predictors of HCPs' attitudes towards patient involvement in safety-relevant behaviours. Design A 22-item cross-sectional fractional factorial survey that assessed HCPs' attitudes towards patient involvement in relation to two error scenarios relating to hand hygiene and medication safety. Setting Four hospitals in London Participants Two hundred sixteen HCPs (116 doctors; 100 nurses) aged between 21 and 60 years (mean: 32): 129 female. Outcome measures Approval of patient's behaviour, HCP response to the patient, anticipated effects on the patient- HCP relationship, support for being asked as a HCP, affective rating response to the vignettes. Results HCPs elicited more favourable attitudes towards patients intervening about a medication error than about hand sanitation. Across vignettes and error scenarios, the strongest predictors of attitudes were how the patient intervened and how the HCP responded to the patient's behaviour. With regard to HCP characteristics, doctors viewed patients intervening less favourably than nurses. Conclusions HCPs perceive patients intervening about a potential error less favourably if the patient's behaviour is confrontational in nature or if the HCP responds to the patient intervening in a discouraging manner. In particular, if a HCP responds negatively to the patient (irrespective of whether an error actually occurred), this is perceived as having negative effects on the HCP-patient relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In recent years, patient-focused interventions have been introduced aimed at increasing patient involvement in safety-related behaviours. However, patients' attitudes towards these interventions and comfort in participating in the recommended behaviours remain largely unexplored. Objective To evaluate patients' attitudes towards a video and leaflet aimed at encouraging patient involvement in safety-related behaviours. Design Two exploratory studies employing a within-subjects mixed-methods design. Setting Six hospital wards on an inner-city London teaching hospital. Participants Medical and surgical inpatients: 80 patients in study 1 (mean age 55; 69% men) and 80 patients in study 2 (mean age 52; 60% men). Intervention Patients watched the PINK patient safety video (study 1) or read the National Patient Safety Agency's 'Please Ask' about staying in hospital leaflet (study 2). Main outcome measures Perceived comfort in participating in safety-related behaviours; attitudes towards the video or leaflet. Results Both video and leaflet increased patients' perceived comfort in engaging in some (but not all) safety-related behaviours ( P < 0.05). In both studies, the majority of patients questioned whether the intervention could help to reduce medical errors in health care. Suggestions on how the video/leaflet could be improved mainly related to content and layout. Conclusion Video and leaflet could be effective at encouraging patient involvement in some safety-related behaviours. Further in-depth research on patients' attitudes towards different educational materials is required to help inform future policies and interventions in this very important but under-researched area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate hospital patients' reports of undesirable events in their health care. Design Cross-sectional mixed methods design. Participants A total of 80 medical and surgical patients (mean age 58, 56 male). Intervention Patients were interviewed post-discharge using a survey to assess patient reports of errors or problems in their care. Patients' medical records and notes were also reviewed. Main outcome measures Frequency of health care process problems, medical complications and interpersonal problems, and patient willingness to report an undesirable event in their care. Results In total, 258 undesirable events were reported (rate of 3.2 per person), including 136 interpersonal problems, 90 medical complications and 32 health care process problems. Patients identified a number of events that were reported in the medical records (30 out of 36). In addition, patients reported events that were not recorded in the medical records. Patients were more willing ( P < 0.05) to report undesirable events to a researcher (as in the present case) than to a local or national reporting system. Conclusion Patients appear able to report undesirable events that occur in their health care management over and above those that are recorded in their medical records. However, patients appear more willing to report these incidents for the purpose of a study rather than to an established incident reporting system. Interventions aimed at educating and encouraging patients about incident reporting systems need to be developed in order to enhance this important contribution patients could make to improving patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In recent years, factors that affect patients' willingness and ability to participate in safety-relevant behaviours have been investigated. However, how trained healthcare professionals or medical students would feel participating in safety-relevant behaviours as a patient in hospital remains largely unexplored. Objectives To investigate medical students' willingness to participate in behaviours related to the quality and safety of their health care. Design A cross-sectional exploratory study using a survey that addressed willingness to participate in different behaviours recommended by current patient safety initiatives. Three types of interactional behaviours (asking factual or challenging questions, notifying doctors or nurses of errors/problems) and three non-interactional behaviours (choosing a hospital based on the safety record, bringing medicines and a list of allergies into hospital, and reporting an error to a national reporting system) were assessed. Participants One hundred and seventy-nine medical students from an inner city London teaching hospital participated in the study. Findings Students' willingness to participate was affected ( P < 0.05) by the action required by the patient and (for interactional behaviours) whether the patient was engaging in the specific action with a doctor or nurse. Students were least willing to ask 'challenging' questions to doctors and nurses and to report errors to a national reporting system. Doctors' and nurses' encouragement appeared to increase self-reported willingness to participate in behaviours where baseline willingness was low. Conclusion Similar to research on lay patient populations; medical students do not view involvement in safety-related behaviours equally. Interventions should be tailored at encouraging students to participate in behaviours they are less inclined to take on an active role in. Future research is required to examine students' motivations for participation in this important but heavily under-researched area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Various authorities recommend the participation of patients in promoting patient safety, but little is known about health care professionals' (HCPs') attitudes towards patients' involvement in safety-related behaviours. Objective To investigate how HCPs evaluate patients' behaviours and HCP responses to patient involvement in the behaviour, relative to different aspects of the patient, the involved HCP and the potential error. Design Cross-sectional fractional factorial survey with seven factors embedded in two error scenarios (missed hand hygiene, medication error). Each survey included two randomized vignettes that described the potential error, a patient's reaction to that error and the HCP response to the patient. Setting Twelve hospitals in Switzerland. Participants A total of 1141 HCPs (response rate 45%). Measurements Approval of patients' behaviour, HCP response to the patient, anticipated effects on the patient-HCP relationship, HCPs' support for being asked the question, affective response to the vignettes. Outcomes were measured on 7-point scales. Results Approval of patients' safety-related interventions was generally high and largely affected by patients' behaviour and correct identification of error. Anticipated effects on the patient-HCP relationship were much less positive, little correlated with approval of patients' behaviour and were mainly determined by the HCP response to intervening patients. HCPs expressed more favourable attitudes towards patients intervening about a medication error than about hand sanitation. Conclusions This study provides the first insights into predictors of HCPs' attitudes towards patient engagement in safety. Future research is however required to assess the generalizability of the findings into practice before training can be designed to address critical issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Cross-study comparisons of effect sizes suggest that varenicline is more effective than nicotine replacement therapy ( NRT) in aiding smoking cessation, but evidence from direct comparisons is limited. This study compared biochemically verified 52-week sustained abstinence rates in smokers attending the same clinical service according to whether they used varenicline or NRT in their quit attempt. Methods This was a prospective cohort study of 855 smokers attending a large smoking cessation clinic who used their choice of NRT product or varenicline in their quit attempt. All received the same behavioural support programme and chose their medication option ( n = 519 varenicline; n = 336 NRT). The primary outcome measure was self-report of 52 weeks' abstinence following the target quit date confirmed by expired air carbon monoxide concentration. Baseline measures included socio-demographic variables, mental health diagnoses, measures of smoking, cigarette dependence and past use of NRT or varenicline. Results The 52-week abstinence rates were 42.8% versus 31.0% in those using varenicline versus NRT, respectively ( P < 0.001). After adjusting for all baseline variables, the odds of remaining abstinent for 52 weeks were 2.03 (95% CI 1.46-2.82), P < 0.001 times higher in those using varenicline than those using NRT. Conclusions Smokers in the same behavioural support programme who use varenicline appear to have a greater probability of achieving long-term abstinence than those using their choice of nicotine replacement therapy options, even after adjusting for potentially confounding smoker characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This exploratory study sought to explore the patient experience of the surgical journey from decision to operate, to hospitalization, discharge and subsequent recovery. Design Patients attended one of two focus group discussions. Patient sample Seven patients that had undergone surgery for spinal stenosis or disc prolapsed participated, aged between 48-75 years (mean age 59); five were male. Methods Patients' attitudes towards the information and care they received from the point of the decision to operate through to post-operative recovery were explored. Particular attention was paid to patients' information needs, support provided, general understanding of the processes and ways in which care could have been improved. Results Patients identified nine main 'needs' they felt played an integral part in enhancing the patient experience including the need for reduced waiting times, for better information and preparation, to be proactive, to speak up and ask questions, to feel safe and to be treated with dignity and respect; and the need for ongoing support, human contact, and; continuity of care. Conclusion These findings suggest that there are several measures that could be taken to improve the patient's surgical experience. In particular, providing appropriate information to patients in a timely manner and ensuring that support and advice is easily accessible for those patients that need it are key areas for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale, aims and objectives Patients can play an important role in reducing health care harm. Finding strategies to encourage patients to take on an active role in issues related to the quality and safety of their care is therefore essential. The aim of this study was to examine patients' and health care professionals' attitudes towards a video aimed at promoting patient involvement in safety-related behaviours. Method A within-subjects design was used where participants were required to complete a questionnaire pre and post screening of a patient safety video. Participants are 201 patients aged 19-103 years (mean 52) and 95 health care professionals aged 23-48 years (mean 32). Main outcome measures include (i) patients' willingness to participate and perceived importance in participating in safety-related behaviours; and (ii) health care professionals' willingness to support patient involvement. Results After watching the video patients elicited more positive attitudes towards asking doctors and nurses if they had washed their hands and notifying them about issues to do with personal hygiene. No significant effects were observed in relation to patients notifying staff if they have not received their medication or if they were in pain or feeling unwell. In relation to health care professionals, doctors and nurses were more willing to support patient involvement in asking about hand hygiene after they had watched the video. Conclusion Video may be effective at changing patients' and health care professionals' attitudes towards patient involvement in some, but not all safety-related behaviours. Our findings suggest video may be most effective at encouraging involvement in behaviours patients are less inclined to participate in and health care professionals are less willing to support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A psychoeducation program that aimed to enhance Christian adults' forgiveness capability was developed, delivered, and evaluated. Eighty-one individuals participated in an 8-hr seminar over 2 days that presented forgiveness from a perspective of physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational wholeness. A mixed method approach utilized the Enright Forgiveness Inventory, the State-Trait Anger Index, an analog pain scale, and intensive interviews to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Participants reported significant improvement in their ability to forgive, along with decreased anger and pain regarding a specific forgiveness issue. Implications for research and practice are given. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Dietary fiber may influence disease course in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), yet there is a paucity of understanding of habitual fiber intakes. To identify studies measuring fiber intakes of individuals with IBD, compare the adequacy of fiber intakes with that of control groups or respective national dietary guidelines, and examine factors associated with fiber consumption. Five electronic databases—MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, PROQUEST, and COCHRANE LIBRARY—were systematically searched, using search terms inflammatory bowel disease , Crohn's disease , ulcerative colitis , dietary intake , and fiber , until December 2019, with hand searching of reference lists. Primary studies were included if fiber intakes were measured in participants 18 years of age or older, with confirmed IBD, with or without comparison to a control. A total of 2105 publications were identified, and 26 met inclusion criteria. Total fiber intake of 4164 participants with IBD ranged broadly (9.9 ± 7.8 g/day to 21.0 ± 10.5 g/day). Most (18/26) used cross-sectional study design, with a large degree of heterogeneity in tools measuring fiber intake. Sixty-six percent of studies comparing participants with IBD with control groups found that participants with IBD consumed significantly less fiber than control subjects. Four studies reported that less than 10% to 21% of IBD participants met their national fiber recommendations. Data conflicted regarding an association between disease type, disease activity, or rate of relapse and fiber intake. Individuals with IBD consume less fiber than healthy populations. Fiber intakes are inadequate compared with respective national fiber guidelines. Interpretation of factors associated with fiber intakes were limited by data quality and conflicting results. Future research is required into factors associated with fiber intake and whether increasing fiber intakes can influence disease course and behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore how a sample of Mexican American mothers with preschool-aged children recruited from a Midwestern Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic obtained information about 4 behaviors associated with childhood obesity risk: eating, physical activity, screen time, and sleep. Design One-on-one structured interviews in which participants were asked how they communicated with family, learned to take care of their first infant, and obtained information about the 4 targeted behaviors for their preschool-aged child. Setting An urban WIC clinic in the Midwest. Participants Forty Mexican-descent mothers enrolled in WIC with children aged 3–4 years. Phenomenon of Interest Exposure to information about the 4 targeted behaviors among Mexican-descent mothers participating in WIC. Analysis Quantitative and qualitative data were used to characterize and compare across participants. Results Participants primarily obtained information from their child's maternal grandmother during their first child's infancy and from health professionals for their preschool-aged child. Participants typically obtained information through interpersonal communication, television, and magazines. Participants were most interested in healthy eating information and least interested in screen time information. Some participants did not seek information. Conclusions and Implications Participants engaged in different patterns of information seeking across their child's development and the 4 behaviors, which suggests that future research should be behaviorally specific. Findings from this study suggest several hypotheses to test in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The guidelines provided by US professional surgical organizations for involvement of trainees in global surgery are limited. The aim of this consensus statement is to provide surgical trainees with official recommendations from the Resident and Associate Society of the American College of Surgeons Global Surgery Work Group (GSWG) regarding professional, practical, and ethical guidelines for participation in global surgery endeavors. STUDY DESIGN: A task force was created within the GSWG to review and define the scope of involvement of trainees in global surgery, and a consensus process was undertaken for the group at large to approve a set of proposed guidelines. RESULTS: The list of practical and ethical guidelines for the engagement of trainees in global surgery covering the themes of preparedness, reciprocity and collaboration, ethical considerations, and sustainability was approved with consensus from the GSWG. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus statement from the Resident and Associate Society of the American College of Surgeons GSWG outlines the official recommendations for guidelines for involvement of trainees in global surgery, with an aim to support equitable, sustainable collaborations that center on improving access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical care for the global community at large. Future processes seek to involve representation and perspectives from a larger body of low- to middle-income country surgical trainees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among people living with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), people who inject drugs (PWID) have historically experienced higher mortality rates. Direct-acting antivirals (DAA), which have led to a 90 % HCV cure rate independently of HIV co-infection, have improved mortality rates. However, DAA era mortality trends among PWID with HIV/HCV remain unknown. Using data from the International Collaboration on Hepatitis C Elimination in HIV Cohorts (InCHEHC), we compared pre/post-DAA availability mortality changes in three groups: PWID, men who have sex with men (MSM), and all other participants. We included InCHEHC participants with HIV/HCV followed between 2010 and 2019 in Canada, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. All-cause mortality hazard was compared in the three groups, using Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for sex, age, advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis, and pre/post DAA availability. Of the 11,029 participants, 76 % were men, 46 % were PWID, baseline median age was 46 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 40;51), and median CD4 T-cell count was 490 cells/mm3 (IQR = 327;689). Over the study period (median follow-up = 7.2 years (IQR = 3.7;10.0)), 6143 (56 %) participants received HCV treatment, 4880 (44 %) were cured, and 1322 participants died (mortality rate = 1.81/100 person-years (PY) [95 % confidence interval (CI)=1.72–1.91]). Overall, PWID had higher mortality rates than MSM (2.5/100 PY [95 % CI = 2.3–2.6] vs. 0.8/100 PY [95 % CI = 0.7–0.9], respectively). Unlike women with other transmission modes, those who injected drugs had a higher mortality hazard than men who did not inject drugs and men who were not MSM (adjusted Hazard-Ratio (aHR) [95 % CI] = 1.3[1.0–1.6]). Post-DAA availability, mortality decreased among MSM in the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland and increased among PWID in Canada (aHR [95 % CI] = 1.73 [1.15–2.61]). Post-DAA availability, all-cause mortality did not decrease in PWID. Determinants of cause-specific deaths (drug-related, HIV-related, or HCV-related) need to be identified to explain persistently high mortality among PWID in the DAA era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]