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This study formed part of a diagnostic test accuracy study to quantify the ability of three index home monitoring (HM) tests (one paper-based and two digital tests) to identify reactivation in Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). The aim of the study was to investigate views about acceptability and explore adherence to weekly HM. Semi-structured interviews were held with 98 patients, family members, and healthcare professionals. A thematic approach was used which was informed by theories of technology acceptance. Various factors influenced acceptability including a patient's understanding about the purpose of monitoring. Training and ongoing support were regarded as essential for overcoming unfamiliarity with digital technology. Findings have implications for implementation of digital HM in the care of older people with nAMD and other long-term conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The study aimed to critically review and synthesize the best available evidence about the effectiveness of therapist-guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) in terms of reducing sickness absence (SA). Methods: We searched Medline (PubMed), Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central (up to November 2020) for English language peer-reviewed papers that described randomized controlled trials of therapist-guided iCBT compared with usual treatment for SA in adults with common mental disorders. Eligible studies were assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias 1 tool, meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model, and standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. A subgroup analysis investigated potential moderating variables (diagnosis, SA at baseline, and estimated accuracy of self-report). Results: We identified 2788 references, of which 68 remained after the completion of the systematic screening process. A hand search of reference lists yielded no additional studies. The full texts of these 68 studies were appraised critically, and 11 were deemed to be suitable for a meta-analysis. SA was similar for iCBT and usual treatment groups (SMD: 0.02, 95% CI, –0.08 to 0.11), and remained similar even after the removal of two studies in which the recall time was over 3 months (SMD: 0.00, –0.11 to 0.12). Similar SA levels in intervention and control groups at 6-month and 12-month follow-up were observed in studies of participants with depression symptoms. Conclusions: iCBT did not appear to be effective in terms of reducing (largely self-assessed) SA in adults with common mental disorders. There is a need to improve the method and consistency of assessing SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background There is a need to review factors related to health service utilisation by the increasing number of cancer survivors in order to inform care planning and the organisation and delivery of services. Methods Studies were identified via systematic searches of Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Social Science Citation Index and the SEER-MEDICARE library. Methodological quality was assessed using STROBE; and the Andersen Behavioural Model was used as a framework to structure, organise and analyse the results of the review. Results Younger, white cancer survivors were most likely to receive follow-up screening, preventive care, visit their physician, utilise professional mental health services and least likely to be hospitalised. Utilisation rates of other health professionals such as physiotherapists were low. Only studies of health service use conducted in the USA investigated the role of type of health insurance and ethnicity. There appeared to be disparate service use among US samples in terms of ethnicity and socio-demographic status, regardless of type of health insurance provision s- this may be explained by underlying differences in health-seeking behaviours. Overall, use of follow-up care appeared to be lower than expected and barriers existed for particular groups of cancer survivors. Conclusions Studies focussed on the use of a specific type of service rather than adopting a whole-system approach and future health services research should address this shortcoming. Overall, there is a need to improve access to care for all cancer survivors. Studies were predominantly US-based focussing mainly on breast or colorectal cancer. Thus, the generalisability of findings to other health-care systems and cancer sites is unclear. The Andersen Behavioural Model provided an appropriate framework for studying and understanding health service use among cancer survivors. The active involvement of physicians and use of personalised care plans are required in order to ensure that post-treatment needs and recommendations for care are met.

Objectives: Remote monitoring of health has the potential to reduce the burden to patients of face-to-face appointments and make healthcare more efficient. Apps are available for patients to self-monitor vision at home, for example, to detect reactivation of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Describing the challenges when implementing apps for self-monitoring of vision at home was an objective of the MONARCH study to evaluate two vision-monitoring apps on an iPod Touch (Multibit and MyVisionTrack)., Design: Diagnostic Test Accuracy study., Setting: Six UK hospitals., Methods: The study provides an example of the real-world implementation of such apps across health sectors in an older population. Challenges described include the following: (1) frequency and reason for incoming calls made to a helpline and outgoing calls made to participants; (2) frequency and duration of events responsible for the tests being unavailable; and (3) other technical and logistical challenges., Results: Patients (n=297) in the study were familiar with technology; 252/296 (85%) had internet at home and 197/296 (67%) had used a smartphone. Nevertheless, 141 (46%) called the study helpline, more often than anticipated. Of 435 reasons for calling, all but 42 (10%) related to testing with the apps or hardware, which contributed to reduced adherence. The team made at least one call to 133 patients (44%) to investigate why data had not been transmitted. Multibit and MyVisionTrack apps were unavailable for 15 and 30 of 1318 testing days for reasons which were the responsibility of the app providers. Researchers also experienced technical challenges with a multiple device management system. Logistical challenges included regulations for transporting lithium-ion batteries and malfunctioning chargers., Conclusions: Implementation of similar technologies should incorporate a well-resourced helpline and build in additional training time for participants and troubleshooting time for staff. There should also be robust evidence that chosen technologies are fit for the intended purpose., Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN79058224., Competing Interests: Competing interests: REH reports attendance at Roche Digital Health Advisory Meeting July 2019. She also received partial PhD Studentship funding from Okko Health 2021 for home monitoring of Diabetic Retinopathy. SS reports grants from Boehringer Ingleheim, receiving consulting fees from Boehringer Ingleheim, Novartis, Apellis, Bayer, Oculis, Oxurion, Roche, and Biogen. She also received payment or honoraria from Boehringer Ingleheim and Bayer, support for attending meetings from Bayer and participation in an advisory board with Bayer. She is also a Macular Society Trustee (unpaid). TP reports grants from Boehringer Ingelheim and Novartis; receiving consulting fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Apellis, Bayer, Oxurion, Roche, and Sandoz. She also received payment or honoraria (speakers fee/and/or advisory board) from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, Roche, Apellis, Sandoz, Heidelberg, Zeiss, Optos. PCK reports software support from Vital Art and Science who produced the My Vision Track App. AL reports receiving consulting fees from and owning stock or stock options of Gyroscope Therapeutics. RW, SRO'C, EAG, EW, CT, BJLB, CAR and BCR have no competing interests., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Mental ill-health presents a major public health problem. A potential part solution that is receiving increasing attention is computer-delivered psychological therapy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic as health care systems moved to remote service delivery. However, computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) requires active engagement by service users, and low adherence may minimize treatment effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to investigate the acceptability of cCBT to understand implementation issues and maximize potential benefits., Objective: This study aimed to produce a critical appraisal of published reviews about the acceptability of cCBT for adults., Methods: An umbrella review informed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology identified systematic reviews about the acceptability of cCBT for common adult mental disorders. Acceptability was operationalized in terms of uptake of, dropping out from, or completion of cCBT treatment; factors that facilitated or impeded adherence; and reports about user, carer, and health care professional experience and satisfaction with cCBT. Databases were searched using search terms informed by relevant published research. Review selection and quality appraisal were guided by the JBI methodology and the AMSTAR tool and undertaken independently by 2 reviewers., Results: The systematic searches of databases identified 234 titles, and 9 reviews (covering 151 unique studies) met the criteria. Most studies were comprised of service users with depression, anxiety, or specifically, panic disorder or phobia. Operationalization of acceptability varied across reviews, thereby making it difficult to synthesize results. There was a similar number of guided and unguided cCBT programs; 34% of guided and 36% of unguided users dropped out; and guidance included email, telephone, face-to-face, and discussion forum support. Guided cCBT was completed in full by 8%-74% of the participants, while 94% completed one module and 67%-84% completed some modules. Unguided cCBT was completed in full by 16%-66% of participants, while 95% completed one module and 54%-93% completed some modules. Guided cCBT appeared to be associated with adherence (sustained via telephone). A preference for face-to-face CBT compared to cCBT (particularly for users who reported feeling isolated), internet or computerized delivery problems, negative perceptions about cCBT, low motivation, too busy or not having enough time, and personal circumstances were stated as reasons for dropping out. Yet, some users favored the anonymous nature of cCBT, and the capacity to undertake cCBT in one's own time was deemed beneficial but also led to avoidance of cCBT. There was inconclusive evidence for an association between sociodemographic variables, mental health status, and cCBT adherence or dropping out. Users tended to be satisfied with cCBT, reported improvements in mental health, and recommended cCBT. Overall, the results indicated that service users' preferences were important considerations regarding the use of cCBT., Conclusions: The review indicated that "one size did not fit all" regarding the acceptability of cCBT and that individual tailoring of cCBT is required in order to increase population reach, uptake, and adherence and therefore, deliver treatment benefits and improve mental health., (©Charlene J Treanor, Anne Kouvonen, Tea Lallukka, Michael Donnelly. Originally published in JMIR Mental Health (https://mental.jmir.org), 06.07.2021.)