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BackgroundChronic respiratory illnesses are the most common group of childhood chronic health conditions and are overrepresented in socially isolated groups. ObjectiveTo conduct a randomized controlled pilot trial to evaluate the efficacy of Breathe Easier Online (BEO), an Internet-based problem-solving program with minimal facilitator involvement to improve psychosocial well-being in children and adolescents with a chronic respiratory condition. MethodsWe randomly assigned 42 socially isolated children and adolescents (18 males), aged between 10 and 17 years to either a BEO (final n = 19) or a wait-list control (final n = 20) condition. In total, 3 participants (2 from BEO and 1 from control) did not complete the intervention. Psychosocial well-being was operationalized through self-reported scores on depression symptoms and social problem solving. Secondary outcome measures included self-reported attitudes toward their illness and spirometry results. Paper-and-pencil questionnaires were completed at the hospital when participants attended a briefing session at baseline (time 1) and in their homes after the intervention for the BEO group or a matched 9-week time period for the wait-list group (time 2). ResultsThe two groups were comparable at baseline across all demographic measures (all F < 1). For the primary outcome measures, there were no significant group differences on depression (P = .17) or social problem solving (P = .61). However, following the online intervention, those in the BEO group reported significantly lower depression (P = .04), less impulsive/careless problem solving (P = .01), and an improvement in positive attitude toward their illness (P = .04) compared with baseline. The wait-list group did not show these differences. Children in the BEO group and their parents rated the online modules very favorably. ConclusionsAlthough there were no significant group differences on primary outcome measures, our pilot data provide tentative support for the feasibility (acceptability and user satisfaction) and initial efficacy of an Internet-based intervention for improving well-being in children and adolescents with a chronic respiratory condition. Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number: ACTRN12610000214033; http://www.anzctr.org.au/trial_view.aspx?ID=308074 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/63BL55mXH)

Introduction: Cough is the most common symptom leading to medical consultation. Chronic cough results in significant health care costs, impairs quality of life, and may indicate the presence of a serious underlying condition. Here, we present a summary of an updated position statement on cough management in the clinical consultation. Main recommendations: Assessment of children and adults requires a focused history of chronic cough to identify any red flag cough pointers that may indicate an underlying disease. Further assessment with examination should include a chest x‐ray and spirometry (when age > 6 years). Separate paediatric and adult diagnostic management algorithms should be followed. Management of the underlying condition(s) should follow specific disease guidelines, as well as address adverse environmental exposures and patient/carer concerns. First Nations adults and children should be considered a high risk group. The full statement from the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and Lung Foundation Australia for managing chronic cough is available at https://lungfoundation.com.au/resources/cicada‐full‐position‐statement. Changes in management as a result of this statement: Algorithms for assessment and diagnosis of adult and paediatric chronic cough are recommended.High quality evidence supports the use of child‐specific chronic cough management algorithms to improve clinical outcomes, but none exist in adults.Red flags that indicate serious underlying conditions requiring investigation or referral should be identified.Early and effective treatment of chronic wet/productive cough in children is critical.Culturally specific strategies for facilitating the management of chronic cough in First Nations populations should be adopted.If the chronic cough does not resolve or is unexplained, the patient should be referred to a respiratory specialist or cough clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family‐centered care (FCC) has been successfully incorporated into daily practice in many neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) worldwide. However, the implementation of FCC in lower‐resourced settings, such as Thailand, can be challenging and needs to be further explored. Aims: To identify parents' and interdisciplinary professionals' perceptions of FCC and to describe the opportunities to improve FCC in a Thai NICU. Design: An exploratory qualitative approach was used. Methods: The data were collected through face‐to‐face, semi‐structured, individual interviews based on an interview guide. This study was conducted before the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (February 2020) in a hospital in southern Thailand. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data. Results: Participants were parents (n = 9) and interdisciplinary professionals (n = 8). The results revealed four key themes: (a) Recognizing and responding to individual families' different readiness and their rights and values, (b) working in a parent‐interdisciplinary partnership to provide care, (c) lacking resources and motivation and (d) understanding of care requirements and providing help/sympathy. Conclusions: The interdisciplinary professionals accepted that FCC is necessary for clinical practice, but there are some challenges in the Thai NICUs context because of the system of health care delivery. The findings highlighted that interdisciplinary professionals often viewed parents' involvement as an obstacle to providing neonatal care. Relevance to clinical practice: Further research is recommended to investigate how FCC is operationalized by interdisciplinary professionals and how hospital administrators can be supported to implement the FCC approach into clinical practice in Thai NICUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To explore hospital healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes towards dementia care in China. Background: Hospital healthcare professionals deliver most diagnosis and treatment for people with dementia in China. Literature shows that healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes are of great importance in providing optimum dementia care. However, there is limited research of healthcare professionals' dementia knowledge and attitudes within hospital contexts in China. Design: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted between April and December 2019. Methods: A self‐report questionnaire composed of demographics and knowledge and attitude scales related to dementia was used for doctors and registered nurses working in settings where people with dementia are cared for in eleven public tertiary hospitals in Hebei Province, China. The STROBE checklist was adhered to in this study. Results: In total, 603 healthcare professionals completed the study. The majority of respondents were registered nurses (71.3%). The overall mean knowledge score was 20.7 (SD = 2.9) out of a maximum possible score of 30. The overall mean score for attitudes was 91.3 (SD = 15.9) out of a maximum possible score of 140. Standard multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the highest level of education, the experience of searching for dementia‐related information and willingness to receive dementia training or education were significant predictors of knowledge scores. The department, the experience of working with people with dementia, length of dementia care, interest in dementia care and training type were significant predictors of attitude scores. Conclusions: Deficits in the knowledge of dementia and a low level of positive attitude were identified among the healthcare professionals who work in hospital settings where people with dementia are cared for in China. Relevance to clinical practice: Education and training in dementia care should be integrated into undergraduate nursing and medical programmes and provided for healthcare professionals after commencing employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no specific national dementia plan concerning people with dementia in China. The purpose of this study was to explore health professionals' recommendations for a dementia plan for China to meet the needs of people with dementia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 doctors and nurses using purposive maximum variation sampling. Data were interpreted inductively using thematic analysis. Four themes were identified. Themes on policy recommendations emphasized a need to support people with dementia and those who care for them, including the development of community daycare centers, specialized dementia care units in hospitals, and specialized nursing homes. Improvement in dementia care in China is needed, including services across all care settings. Programs to train and support family caregivers and help health professionals to detect, diagnose and treat dementia are crucial. Further support for the families of people with dementia is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]