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Minimal Canadian data are available on the RAS testing rates, treatment patterns, and corresponding overall survival (OS) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. We conducted a population-based cohort study of left-sided RAS wild-type (WT) mCRC patients diagnosed between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2019, and who were treated with first-line (1L) chemotherapy plus the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor panitumumab, chemotherapy plus bevacizumab, or chemotherapy alone, in Alberta, Canada, using electronic medical records and administrative health system data. Of the 2721 patients identified with left-sided mCRC, 320 patients with RAS WT mCRC were treated with 1L systemic therapy: chemotherapy plus panitumumab (n = 64), chemotherapy plus bevacizumab (n = 52), or chemotherapy alone (n = 204). Only 65% and 39% of the 320 1L-treated patients initiated second- and third-line therapy, respectively. A total of 71% of individuals with treated left-sided mCRC underwent RAS testing. The median OS for mCRC patients with RAS WT left-sided tumours was higher for patients treated with 1L panitumumab plus chemotherapy (34.3 months; 95% CI: 23.8–39.6) than for patients who received 1L chemotherapy alone (30.0 months; 95% CI: 24.9–34.1) or 1L bevacizumab plus chemotherapy (25.6 months; 95% CI: 21.2–35.7). These findings highlight an unmet need in left-sided RAS WT mCRC, with relatively few individuals receiving a biologic agent in combination with chemotherapy in the 1L setting, a high rate of attrition between lines, and a need for increased RAS testing before treatment initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sexual health issues associated with cancer can significantly impact patients' psychosocial well-being and overall quality of life. These issues are frequently medication-related, placing pharmacists in an opportune position to manage sexual health concerns in patients with cancer. Currently, no literature exists exploring pharmacists' practices related to the management of sexual health in oncology patients. Methods: An anonymous, descriptive, cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted to elicit pharmacists' views and practices regarding managing sexual health in oncology patients. Pharmacists practicing in Canada who provide care to adult malignant hematology or oncology patients were eligible to participate. The survey was disseminated through the Canadian Association of Pharmacy in Oncology and through informal oncology pharmacy practitioner networks. Results: Of the 102 pharmacists who participated, 96 completed the survey in its entirety. Most respondents were female, practiced in Alberta, and primarily saw oncology patients in outpatient cancer facilities. Although 85% of participants felt pharmacists should be involved in giving patients an opportunity to discuss sexual health, only 8% reported managing sexual health in at least 50% of their oncology patients. The most commonly agreed upon barriers to this were presence of family members and friends at appointments, lack of knowledge or training, limited time, and the belief that sexual health is not applicable to all oncology patients. Conclusions: This study explored pharmacists' views and practices regarding managing sexual health in patients with cancer. Several barriers were identified, which may aid in future development of resources to assist pharmacists in routinely addressing sexual health in oncology patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Canadian province of Alberta released the ABTraceTogether smartphone app in May 2020 to assist in contact tracing during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Public engagement with this public health tool has been low, limiting the effectiveness of the intervention. This study examines physician knowledge of the app and practice patterns in relation to the app. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional self-administered online English language survey of physicians and medical students in Alberta, Canada. The survey link was sent to all registered members of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta and was distributed by other provincial physician organizations and health zone leaders. Results The survey received 317 responses. 96% of participants were aware of the app but only 27% had recommended the app to patients. The most common reason provided for not downloading or recommending the app was that participants had security concerns about the app. 23% of participants indicated they did not believe they had a responsibility to recommend the app to others. Conclusions Our study provides insights into participants' knowledge and beliefs about the ABTraceTogether app. This information may be valuable to public health officials who wish to engage physicians in future public health campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regular examination of health workforce data is essential given the pace of health system and legislative changes. Health workforce studies pertaining to nurse practitioner (NP) practice are needed to examine the gaps between work activities, policy, human resource supply, or for population needs. Jurisdictional comparison studies can provide essential information about NP practice for governments to respond to health workforce deficiencies or engage in service planning. In Canada, there is limited provincial-territorial jurisdictional NP workforce data to support health planning or policy change. This descriptive cross-sectional study was to examine the similarities and differences in practice patterns of Canadian NPs. In 2016 and 2017, an electronic survey was sent to all 852 registered NPs in three Canadian provinces, yielding a large convenience sample of 375 NP respondents. The results of this study underscore the value of NPs' extensive registered nurse expertize as well as their ability to serve diverse patient populations, work in varied healthcare settings, and provide care to medically complex patients. The study findings also show that NPs in all three jurisdictions work to their full scope of practice, in both rural and urban settings. This study is the first to compare NP workforce data across multiple Canadian jurisdictions simultaneously. Studies of this type are valuable tools for understanding the demographics, education, integration, and employment activities of NPs and can aid governments in addressing workforce planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Cross-sectional survey. Multifactorial risk factor screening and treatment is needed for subsequent falls/osteoporotic fractures prevention (SFOFP), given the elevated risk among patients with distal radius fracture (DRF). The primary objective was to describe hand therapists' knowledge and clinical practice patterns for assessment, treatment, referral, and education with respect to SFOFP for patients with DRF older than 45 years. Secondary objective was to explore therapist's preferences in content and delivery of knowledge translation tools that would support implementation of SFOFP. A cross-sectional multinational (Canada, the United States, and India) survey was conducted among 272 therapists from August to October 2014. Completed surveys were analyzed descriptively. Surveys were completed by 157 therapists. Most respondents were from the United States (59%), certified hand therapists (54%), and females (87%). Although 65%-90% believed that they had knowledge about SFOFP assessment, treatment, and referral options, 55% did not include it in their routine practice for patients with DRF. Most assessed medication history (82%) and never used a Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (90%) or lower extremity muscle strength testing (54%) to identify those at risk of secondary fractures. With respect to treatment, approximately 33% always used upper extremity muscle strengthening exercises. Most reported rarely (sometimes to never) using balance (79%), lower extremity muscle strengthening (85%), bone strengthening (54%), or community-based physical activity (72%) programs. Similarly, when surveyed about patient education, therapists rarely (sometimes to never) advised patients about web-based resources (94%), regular vision testing (92%), diet for good bone health (87%), bone density evaluation (86%), footwear correction (73%), and hazard identification (67%). Most hand therapists were interested to receive more information on SFOFP for patients with DRF. Nearly one-half preferred to have Web sites for patients, and two-fifth were in favor of pamphlets for patients. Current practice patterns reveal care gaps and limited implementation with respect to SFOFP for patients with DRF. Future research should focus on web-based educational/knowledge translation strategies to promote implementation of multifactorial fall risk screening and hand therapist's engagement in SFOFP for patients with DRF. • This study addresses a relatively new domain in hand therapy research and clinical practice. The study provided a description of therapist's current knowledge, practice patterns, and revealed areas with existing care gaps regarding subsequent falls/osteoporotic fractures prevention for patients with distal radius fracture (DRF). • Nearly 75% of therapists missed the opportunity to screen patients with DRF for risk of subsequent falls and osteoporotic fractures. • The survey demonstrated the need for web-based knowledge translation strategies to promote patient and therapist engagement in SFOFP after DRF. • Our study results might be useful in the planning of continuing education courses on preventive holistic care in hand therapy and the development of other knowledge translation strategies that will further broaden the scope of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]