Application of the ConNECT Framework to achieve digital health equity.

BACKGROUND: The emphasis on digital technology and informatics in health care (digital health) has introduced innovative ways to deliver health care and engage populations in health research. However, inadequate attention to the development and implementation of digital health interventions can exacerbate health disparities. PURPOSE: We applied the transdisciplinary ConNECT Framework principles within the context of digital health, with an aim to describe strategies to achieve digital health equity. METHODS: We described the five ConNECT principles of (a) integrating context, (b) fostering a norm of inclusion, (c) ensuring equitable diffusion of innovations, (d) harnessing communication technology, and (e) prioritizing specialized training within the framework of achieving digital health equity. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION: We describe proactive, actionable strategies for the systematic application of the ConNECT Framework principles to address digital health equity. Recommendations to reduce the digital health divide in nursing research and practice are also described.

Rapid adaptation of cancer screening practices during COVID-19: A multi-state qualitative study.

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic required primary care practices to rapidly adapt cancer screening procedures to comply with changing guidelines and policies. Objective: This study sought to: 1) identify cancer screening barriers and facilitators during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) describe cancer screening adaptations; and 3) provide recommendations. Study design: A qualitative study was conducted (n= 42) with primary care staff. Individual interviews were conducted through videoconference from August 2020 - April 2021 and recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for themes using NVivo 12 Plus. Setting: Primary care practices included federally qualified health centers, tribal health centers, rural health clinics, hospital/health system-owned, and academic medical centers located across ten states including urban (55%) and rural (45%) sites. Population studied: Primary care staff included physicians (n=13), residents (n=10), advanced practice providers (n=9), and administrators (n=10). Outcome measures: The interviews assessed perceptions about cancer screening barriers and facilitators, necessary adaptations, and future recommendations. Results: Barriers to cancer screening included delays in primary and specialty care, staff shortages, lack of personal protective equipment, patient hesitancy to receive in-person care, postal service delays for mail-home testing, COVID-19 travel restrictions (for Mexico-US border-crossing patients) and organizational policies (e.g., required COVID-19 testing prior to screening). Facilitators included better care coordination and collaboration due to the pandemic and more time during telehealth visits to discuss cancer screening compared to in-person visits. Adaptations included delayed screening, patient triage (e.g., prioritizing patients overdue for screening), telehealth visits to discuss cancer screening, mail-home testing, coordinating cancer screenings (e.g., providing fecal immunochemical test materials during cervical cancer screening) and same-day cancer screening. Recommendations included more public health education about the importance of cancer screening during COVID-19, more mail-home testing, and expanded healthcare access (e.g., weekend clinic) to address patient backlogs for cancer screening. Conclusions: Primary care staff developed innovative strategies to adapt cancer screening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unresolved challenges (e.g., patient backlogs) will require additional implementation stra.

Evaluation of the core 5 social determinants of health screening tool.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects of a social determinants of health (SDH) screening tool and service referral on emergency department (ED) use among patients at a Federally Qualified Health Center primary care clinic. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental. SAMPLE: Three-hundred and eleven English-speaking patients 18 years and older. MEASURES: The Core 5 SDH screening tool consists of five yes/no items assessing food, housing, utilities, transportation, and safety needs. The number of ED visits 3 months before and after the intervention were collected from electronic health records. INTERVENTION: The research team administered the Core 5 SDH screening tool and if desired, referred patients with an identified need for SDH services. RESULTS: Approximately 43% of patients reported a SDH need with food insecurity most prevalent (62.2%). The number of ED visits was significantly lower 3 months post-intervention compared to 3 months before for the 125 participants who wanted and received the SDH service referral (IRR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.41, 0.99) and for the 35 participants who reported receiving some/all of the needed services at the 2-week follow-up (IRR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.17, 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Addressing patients' SDH needs may reduce ED visits, lower healthcare costs, and ultimately, improve health.

Nurse practitioner-led lung cancer screening clinic: An evidence-based quality improvement evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Screening for lung cancer using low-dose computed tomography of the chest (LDCT) can reduce mortality associated with lung cancer. LDCT is an under-ordered screening study. AIMS: To evaluate the use of a nurse practitioner-led lung cancer screening clinic (LCSC). METHODS: The absolute number of LDCT for lung cancer screenings obtained 12 months before implementing the nurse practitioner-led LCSC was compared to the 12 months after clinic implementation using a casual comparison design. An electronic survey was conducted to assess the LCSC key stakeholders' perceptions of the clinic. RESULTS: An increase of 60% in the total number of LDCT for lung cancer screenings was observed. Qualitative data obtained through stakeholder evaluation of the clinic revealed that 85% of participants (n = 13) expressed that the LCSC was addressing barriers to lung cancer screening. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: A dedicated nurse practitioner-led LCSC is a practical way to increase lung cancer screening by addressing established barriers to screening in the community setting.

Comparison of Three Instruments for Activity Disability in Acute Ischemic Stroke Survivors.

BACKGROUND: Disabilities in physical activity and functional independence affect the early rehabilitation of stroke survivors. Moreover, a good instrument for assessing activity disability allows accurate assessment of physical disability and assists in prognosis determination. OBJECTIVE: To compare three assessment tools for physical activity in acute-phase stroke survivors. METHODS: We conducted this prospective observational study at an affiliated hospital of a Medical University in Shanghai, China, from June 2018 to November 2019. We administered three instruments to all patients during post-stroke days 5-7, including the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and modified Rankin scale (mRs). We analyzed correlations among the aforementioned scales and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) using Spearman's rank-order correlations test. Univariate analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. We used a binary logistic regression model to assess the association between the NIHSS (30 days) and patient-related variables. Finally, we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to assess the predictive value of the multivariate regression models. RESULTS: There was a high correlation among the three instruments; furthermore, the MBI had a higher correlation with the NIHSS (days 5-7). The NIHSS (day 30) was correlated with thrombolysis. ROC analysis revealed that the mRs-measured disability level had the highest predictive value of short-term stroke severity (30 days). CONCLUSION: The MBI was the best scale for measuring disability in physical activity, whereas the mRs showed better accuracy in short-term prediction of stroke severity.

Communication Among Southeast Asian Mothers and Daughters About Cervical Cancer Prevention.

BACKGROUND: Southeast Asian women have high rates of cervical cancer and yet are among the least likely to be screened. There is sparse literature on communication patterns among Southeast Asian women, specifically related to cervical cancer and Pap test uptake. Little is known about the influence of Southeast Asian mothers and daughters on each other's cervical cancer beliefs and screening behaviors. OBJECTIVES: We examined the perceptions of and barriers to cervical cancer screening among Cambodian and Lao mothers and daughters and explored how they converse about women's health issues, specifically cervical cancer and Pap testing. METHODS: We conducted in-depth interviews with Cambodian and Lao mother-daughter dyads, aged 18 years and older, living in a large Midwestern city between February and September of 2015. Descriptive statistics were calculated to summarize the sample demographic characteristics. Bivariate tests (contingency table analyses, independent t-tests, and Pearson correlations) were conducted to test for differences between the mothers and daughters in demographic characteristics and measures of health status and beliefs. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: In-depth interviews were conducted with three Cambodian and eight Lao mother-daughter dyads. The daughters were significantly more acculturated to English, had greater education, and were mostly employed full time. The mothers and daughters evaluated their health status much the same, their medical mistrust equally, and all of the mothers and nine of the daughters were Buddhist. Themes in mother-daughter communication included what mothers and daughters do and do not talk about with regard to sexual health, refugee experiences, what hinders mother-daughter communication, and relationship dynamics. The mothers were embarrassed and uncomfortable discussing cervical cancer, Pap testing, and other women's health issues with their daughters. Although mothers did not influence women's health promotion or cervical cancer prevention with their daughters, daughters did influence their mothers' health and healthcare decisions. Daughters were critical in navigating healthcare systems, engaging with providers, and making medical decisions on behalf of their mothers. DISCUSSION: By leveraging the unique and dynamic intergenerational bond that mothers and daughters who identify as Southeast Asian have, we can develop strategies to influence the cultural dialogue related to cervical cancer and early detection.

Standardizing clinical culture specimen collection in Ethiopia: a training-of-trainers.

BACKGROUND: Proper specimen collection is central to improving patient care by ensuring optimal yield of diagnostic tests, guiding appropriate management, and targeting treatment. The purpose of this article is to describe the development and implementation of a training-of-trainers educational program designed to improve clinical culture specimen collection among healthcare personnel (HCP) in Ethiopia. METHODS: A Clinical Specimen Collection training package was created consisting of a Trainer's Manual, Reference Manual, Assessment Tools, Step-by-Step Instruction Guides (i.e., job aides), and Core Module PowerPoint Slides. RESULTS: A two-day course was used in training 16 master trainers and 47 facility-based trainers responsible for cascading trainings on clinical specimen collection to HCP at the pre-service, in-service, or national-levels. The Clinical Specimen Collection Package is offered online via The Ohio State University's CANVAS online platform. CONCLUSIONS: The training-of-trainers approach may be an effective model for development of enhanced specimen collection practices in low-resource countries.

Mobile Health Applications, Cancer Survivors, and Lifestyle Modification: An Integrative Review.

Cancer survivors' well-being is threatened by the risk of cancer recurrence and the increased risk of chronic diseases resulting from cancer treatments. Improving lifestyle behaviors attenuates these risks. Traditional approaches to lifestyle modification (ie, counseling) are expensive, require significant human resources, and are difficult to scale. Mobile health interventions offer a novel alternative to traditional approaches. However, to date, systematic reviews have yet to examine the use of mobile health interventions for lifestyle behavior improvement among cancer survivors. The objectives of this integrative review were to synthesize research findings, critically appraise the scientific literature, examine the use of theory in intervention design, and identify survivors' preferences in using mobile health interventions for lifestyle improvement. Nineteen articles met eligibility requirements. Only two studies used quantitative methods. Study quality was low, and only one study reported the use of theory in app design. Unfortunately, the evidence has not yet sufficiently matured, in quality or in rigor, to make recommendations on how to improve health behaviors or outcomes. However, six themes emerged as important considerations for intervention development for cancer survivors (app features/functionality, social relationships/support, provider relationships/support, app content, app acceptability, and barriers to use). These findings underscored the need for rigorous, efficacy studies before the use of mobile health interventions can be safely recommended for cancer survivors.

Effects of a Community-to-Clinic Navigation Intervention on Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Underserved People.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer screening remains suboptimal among poor and underserved people. PURPOSE: We tested the effectiveness of a community-to-clinic navigator intervention to guide multicultural, underinsured individuals into primary care clinics to complete colorectal cancer screening. METHODS: This two-phase behavioral intervention study was conducted in Phoenix, Arizona (2012-2018). Community sites were randomized to group education or group education plus tailored navigation to increase attendance at primary care clinics (Phase I). Individuals who completed a clinic appointment received the tailored navigation in person or via phone (Phase II). RESULTS: In Phase I (N = 345), 37.9% of the intervention group scheduled a clinic appointment versus 19.4% of the comparison group. In Phase II, 26.5% of the original intervention group were screened versus only 10.4% of the original comparison group. Those in the intervention group were 3.84 times more likely to be screened than were those in the comparison group (odds ratio = 3.84; 95% confidence interval = 1.81-6.92). CONCLUSIONS: Translation of an efficacious tailored navigation intervention for colorectal cancer screening to a community-to-clinic context is associated with significantly increased rates of colorectal cancer screening. Navigation assistance to address barriers to screening may serve as the most important component of any educational program to increase individual adherence to colorectal cancer screening.

Effects of Nurse-Led Support Via WeChat, a Smartphone Application, for Breast Cancer Patients After Surgery: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background: Women with breast cancer (BC) commonly experience physical and psychosocial symptoms after surgery. Web- and smartphone-based support can significantly improve women's symptoms and quality of life. Social care applications (apps) are widely used in China, but there are few studies on their effectiveness BC support. This study aimed to examine the effects of nurse-led support on the social care app WeChat® (Tencent Holdings Limited, Shenzhen, China) in BC patients after surgery. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted between June 2015 and August 2015. Sixty patients with BC (30 in the intervention group, 30 in the control group) were enrolled. Subjects in the intervention group participated in a WeChat-based support program (WSP) led by nurses, while subjects in the control group received a follow-up by telephone. Subjects in both groups were evaluated at the time of discharge and at 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up. Physical well-being status, psychology status, and social support were evaluated. Results: There were no differences between intervention and control patients at baseline. Physical well-being (p < 0.001), anxiety (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001), and support from outside of family (p = 0.037) were significantly better in the intervention group than in the control group after 6 months. The intervention group showed that physical well-being (p = 0.036), anxiety (p < 0.001), and depression (p < 0.001) were significantly different from baseline to 6 months of follow-up. Conclusion: WSP assisted with nurse-led support and had physical, psychological, and social benefits for patients after surgery for BC.

Perceptions Toward Mental Illness and Seeking Psychological Help among Bhutanese Refugees Resettled in the U.S.

This study examined perceptions toward mental health and seeking psychological care among Bhutanese refugees in a large Midwestern U.S. city. Bhutanese adults (n = 201) completed a community health needs assessment. Survey questions addressed beliefs toward mental health and seeking psychological care. Perceptions toward mental illness and receiving psychological help were generally negative among participants. Over 71% believed others would look unfavorably on a person who sought out a counselor. Participants who had less than a high school education, were 35 years and older, and lived in refugee camps for more than 20 years had significantly greater negative beliefs toward mental illness. Over one-third (34.8%) of participants reported access to counseling services as being somewhat of a problem or a serious problem. These findings may inform future research and interventions aimed at improving mental health among Bhutanese refugees.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Diabetes Screening and Hyperglycemia Among US Women After Gestational Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common complication of pregnancy and is associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Racial/ethnic minority populations are at a higher risk than non-Hispanic white populations of developing type 2 diabetes after GDM. The aim of this study was to describe racial/ethnic differences in hyperglycemia and receipt of screening services in a nationally representative sample of women with a history of GDM. METHODS: Our sample included 765 women from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2016) with a history of GDM. We used logistic, multinomial, linear, and proportional hazards regression to evaluate racial/ethnic differences in development of diabetes after GDM, hyperglycemia (measured by HbA1c), and receipt of diabetes screening services. RESULTS: Non-Hispanic black women had 63% higher risk and Hispanic women and "other" racial/ethnic women had more than double the risk for diabetes compared with non-Hispanic white women. Among women with a GDM history who did not receive a diagnosis of diabetes by the time of the study examination, both non-Hispanic black women and Hispanic women were more likely than non-Hispanic white women to be in the prediabetes or diabetes range (measured HbA1c ≥5.7%). However, non-Hispanic black women had 2.07 (95% confidence interval, 1.29-3.81) times the odds of being screened for diabetes compared with non-Hispanic white women (P = .02). CONCLUSION: Delays in identification of hyperglycemia and diagnosis of diabetes in racial/ethnic minority women may reflect differential delivery of guideline-based care or poor follow-up of abnormal screening test results.

Perceptions of Cervical Cancer Screening, Screening Behavior, and Post-Migration Living Difficulties Among Bhutanese-Nepali Refugee Women in the United States.

Bhutanese-Nepali refugees are one of the largest refugee groups to be resettled in the U.S. in the past decade. Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer disparity in this population, yet screening rates are suboptimal. Nepali-speaking interviewers administered a community health needs questionnaire to a convenience sample of Bhutanese-Nepali refugees in a Midwestern city between July to October of 2015. Descriptive statistics were used to describe socio-demographic characteristics, Pap smear beliefs, post-migration living difficulties, and screening status. Differences in Pap test uptake between groups were tested using t test and Chi square statistics. Of the 97 female participants, 44.3% reported ever having had a Pap smear. Screening rates were lowest among women who did not know English at all. Most women had positive perceptions of Pap smears (80%) and 44.4% had received a Pap test recommendation from their healthcare provider, family, or friends. Pap testing was significantly higher among those who had positive perceptions (58.3 vs. 11.1% for women of negative perception, p = 0.01) and those who had received a recommendation (87.5 vs. 18.6% for women who had no recommendations, p < 0.001). Significant predictors of having a Pap smear were having a healthcare provider/family/friends recommendation (OR 65.3, 95% CI 11.4-373.3) and greater number of post-migration living difficulties (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02-1.37). The results of this study have important implications for the development of cervical cancer prevention programs targeting Bhutanese-Nepali refugees. Providing cancer prevention interventions early in the resettlement process could impact Pap test uptake in this population.

Research challenges and lessons learned from conducting community-based research with the Hmong community.

BACKGROUND: Conducting research with underserved communities with little exposure to research presents a number of challenges and opportunities. Our study used a community-based approach to better understand factors that influence breast and cervical cancer screening among Hmong women. OBJECTIVE: This article shares lessons learned during the process of developing and conducting qualitative research with a Hmong community with limited experience with research. METHOD: We conducted 17 key informant and 84 in-depth interviews with Hmong women and men. Research team discussions, insights from Hmong research team members, input from our Community Advisory Committee, and project documents were sources of information about the process of conducting research in this community. RESULTS: Lessons learned concern including a cultural insider as an investigator; building community partnerships and support; establishing and working with a community advisory committee; hiring and training bilingual, bicultural staff; and using culturally appropriate materials and methods in a small, kinship-based community. We used multiple strategies to ensure that this study was conducted in a culturally appropriate manner. CONCLUSION: The lessons learned from our experiences can provide guidance to researchers on methodological and practical issues in conducting research with the Hmong and can inform future research with the Hmong and other similar underserved populations.

Breast and cervical cancer screening: exploring perceptions and barriers with Hmong women and men in Oregon.

BACKGROUND: Hmong women are reported to have very low rates of breast and cervical cancer screening compared to other Asian and White women in the USA. Reasons for low cancer screening rates among this population are not well understood. METHODS: This qualitative study (n=83) explored Hmong women and men's perceptions of breast and cervical cancer and cancer screening, women's experiences with breast and cervical cancer screening, and health care system barriers to screening. RESULTS: Hmong women and men perceived breast cancer to be more severe than other types of cancers. Participants believed that breast cancer is curable if detected early. Cervical cancer was not well understood and was of greater concern than breast cancer because of its location within the body and its consequences for reproduction. In general, few participants had personal experiences with breast and/or cervical cancer. Overall, women and men had positive things to say about screenings for breast and cervical cancer, expressing that screenings offered a 'proof of illness.' The majority of women did not report any concerns with the exams themselves, although some discussed embarrassment, pain, and discomfort. Barriers to screening included lack of health insurance, making co-payments, language, and issues related to scheduling appointments. Barriers differed for younger and older women. CONCLUSION: Results of this study provide new insight into perceptions, experiences, and barriers to breast and cervical cancer screening among Hmong women and men. These findings have implications for developing culturally appropriate interventions to increase breast and cervical cancer screening in this population.

A randomized controlled trial of a tailored navigation intervention to promote breast and cervical cancer screening among intergenerational Southeast Asian women.

Background: Cancer is the leading cause of death for Southeast Asian women in the U.S. Southeast Asian women have significantly high rates of breast and cervical cancers, yet are least likely to obtain regular mammography and Pap testing of all racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare a tailored navigation intervention delivered by bilingual and bicultural Community Health Advisors to information and reminder only to increase age-appropriate breast and cervical cancer screening completion among Southeast Asian women. Methods: The Southeast Asian Women's Health Project study will enroll 232 Cambodian, Filipino, Lao, and Vietnamese women who are not up to date with their breast and cervical cancer screenings. Women randomized to navigation will receive the intervention for 10 weeks. Women in the information group will be mailed information on mammography and Pap testing only. All participants will be contacted post-enrollment to assess screening completion. Discussion: We will examine intervention efficacy, predictors of each intervention group, and the influence of intergenerational exchange of breast and cervical cancer screening information between mothers and daughters. We will disseminate study results locally to the community, nationally at conferences, and through peer-reviewed journals.

The association between depressive symptoms and executive function in type 1 diabetes population: A scoping review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the existing literature on the relationship between depressive symptoms and executive function in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) across the lifespan. METHODS: The scoping review followed the PRISMA protocol by using three databases: PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO on May 14, 2023. Primary research that included reported executive function and the association with depressive symptoms was included in the review. RESULTS: Of 1470 de-duplicated publications identified, nine articles were included in the review. Five studies evaluated the T1DM population, while four studies evaluated T1DM and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) as an aggregate result. Three studies indicated an association between depressive symptoms and executive function in adults with T1DM, and four studies indicated an association between depressive symptoms and executive function in adults with either T1DM or T2DM. In general, participants who reported depressive symptoms also exhibited poor executive function. However, two studies did not find an association between depressive symptoms and executive function. CONCLUSION: In summary, the seven studies in this review suggest that individuals with T1DM who report depressive symptoms are at a higher risk of poor executive function; a clear association between depressive symptoms and executive function in individuals with T1DM remains inconclusive. There is a need to explore this relationship in the future.

Assessing Structural Racism Measures on Health Outcomes of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Limited literature exists on structural racism measures on health outcomes for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAs and NH/PIs). AAs and NH/PIs make up approximately 6.2% of the U.S. population and consist of diverse ethnic subgroups with distinct languages, cultures, religions, socioeconomic statuses, and historical backgrounds. The lack of disaggregated data collection and contextualized measures hinders our understanding of how structural racism affects health outcomes in these populations. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review to assess the extent to which measures of structural racism are used in research with AAs and NH/PIs. Databases, including CINAHL, EBSCO, PsychINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Social Science Citation Index, were searched for peer-reviewed articles on the measures of and empirical impacts of structural racism on AA and NH/PI health. We identified 23 full-text articles from a pool of 11,660 screened articles. Four articles were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: Among the selected studies, two studies identified an association between racial segregation and mental and behavioral health outcomes within AAs and NH/PIs. The other two studies found redlining on chronic health outcomes in these communities. These studies uncovered associations between government systems and policies and AA and NH/PI health outcomes. DISCUSSION: Existing measures may not adequately capture the complex relationships between structural racism and health outcomes in AAs and NH/PIs. Future research should contextualize and operationalize the multifaceted manifestations of structural racism unique to AAs and NH/PIs to achieve health equity.