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BACKGROUND: Innovations in technology offer potential solutions to address pain care inequities. To maximize impacts, greater understanding is needed regarding preferences and priorities of people experiencing or treating pain. OBJECTIVES: This study conducted focus groups to investigate the perspectives of people with pain and healthcare workers regarding online resources for pain management. Researchers asked about barriers to current pain management and what resources would be most desired in an online format to meet needs. METHODS: Participants were a randomly selected sub-sample of adults from a northwestern region of the United States who participated in an online, survey-based study. Eligible participants identified as either a person who had received treatment for pain or a healthcare worker who cared for people with pain. Of the 199 survey respondents, 30 participated in one of three focus group sessions. Focus groups were conducted using videoconferencing technology, then recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Focus group participants included 22 adults who identified as a person treated for pain of any type and 8 healthcare workers. Themes relating to eHealth use reflected desires for (1) freely accessible and vetted pain management information in one place, (2) reliable information tailored to need and pain type, and (3) easy-to-use resources. Findings revealed that some effective pain management resources do exist, yet obstacles including inflexible and inequitable healthcare practices and lack of knowledge about options may limit access to these resources. CONCLUSION: Including preferences of user groups can assist in creating resources that are likely to be useful for those with pain and their caregivers. Innovations are needed to address persisting gaps in care.
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OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine relationships between moral injury (MI) and self-reported nurse work performance (NWP) among hospital nurses after the COVID-19 pandemic surges. BACKGROUND: Previously studied in the military, nurse MI became evident due to the pandemic. No previous studies have examined the impact of MI on NWP. Few studies have attended to how MI in nurses can be addressed by nursing leadership. METHODS: A convenience sample of 191 nurses from 7 hospitals in Southern California participated in a multisite correlational survey-design study. RESULTS: Significant levels of MI occurred in 57% (n = 114) of participants. Increased levels of MI were a significant predictor of decreased levels of self-reported NWP. Younger and less experienced nurses reported greater levels of MI. CONCLUSIONS: This study relates MI in nurses to NWP. There is a need for further research to assist nursing administrators in ameliorating MI in nurses and in preparing for the impact of MI on the nursing workforce in future emergent situations.
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Enfermeras y Enfermeros , Trastornos por Estrés Postraumático , Rendimiento Laboral , Humanos , Autoinforme , Pandemias , HospitalesRESUMEN
Acute care nurses may suffer substantial fatigue if working night shift or if assigned a shift contrasting their preferred sleep-wake patterns, called chronotype. Nurses are at higher risk for diet-related, metabolic diseases compared to other healthcare professionals. Yet, the impact of preferred chronotype and mismatch to assigned shift on nutritional intake and risk for metabolic disease among acute care nurses is unclear. This observational study analyzed dietary data from 52 acute care nurses. Participants completed the revised morningness-eveningness questionnaire which gives a total score between 4 and 26. Lower scores (<12) were flagged as evening type (E-type), higher scores (>17) defined as morning type (M-type), and scores between 12 and 17 were categorized as neither types (N-type). N-type participants were considered chronotype matched when assigned to either shift, whereas E-types were only considered matched if assigned to night shift, and M-types matched only if assigned to day shift. Participants also recorded all dietary intake for 7 d (reflecting a typical workweek) in the MyFitnessPal phone application. Findings indicated that eveningness nurses had markers of MetS, including a significantly larger body mass index and waist circumference than N-types (p < 0.05). E-types also consumed, on average, more calories than other chronotypes (m = 1833.7 kcal), although this was not a statistically significant finding. Mismatched day (n = 7, 13.4%) and night (n = 5, 9.6%) nurses in our sample consumed, on average, more calories (m = 1935.1 kcal, m = 1981.2 kcal, respectively) than matched day (n = 24, 46.2%, m = 1642.6 kcal) or night (n = 16, 30.8%, m = 1599.1 kcal) nurses, although this finding was not statistically significant. Mismatched day nurses consumed significantly less fiber than day matched nurses (median = 10.9 g versus median = 18.5 g, p = 0.04), while night mismatched consumed significantly more fiber compared to night matched (median = 21 g versus median = 12.2 g, p = 0.05) nurses. Participant diets overall did not follow recommendations by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), who consumed a higher percentage of calories from saturated fats and a smaller percentage of calories from fiber, habits which increase risk for metabolic syndrome. Further research surrounding nutritional pathways utilizing larger samples is needed to uncover relationships with metabolic syndrome especially for eveningness-type nurses or if working a shift mismatched with preferred chronotype.
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Síndrome Metabólico , Sueño , Humanos , Ritmo Circadiano , Cronotipo , Dieta , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
AIMS: To apply videoconferencing as a new verification method prior to enrollment for an online survey-based study. DESIGN: A prospective-observational, mixed methods, three group, repeated measures study involved recruiting a population-based sample of breastfeeding mothers and infants (N = 81). Twenty-seven mothers were recruited for each group: mothers returning to work outside of the home, mothers returning to work from home and mothers staying home with their infants full-time. METHODS: Data were collected at four time points, infant age 4, 12, 20 and 24 weeks, via online survey. Participating mothers received a $10 gift card for completing each survey. Social media, word of mouth and brochures promoted United States-based recruitment nationwide. A publicly available direct link to the survey was initially provided to interested mothers. After the suspicion of online fraud, videoconferencing was instituted for self-referrals and phone calls for professional referrals. RESULTS: The survey was invaded by response fraud 3 weeks after the initial survey deployment. Out of 109 respondents who visited the survey site during that timeframe, only eight mothers (10%) were eligible (22 June 2022 to 14 July 2022). After recruitment modification, 313 individuals emailed the study team with 65 self-referred mothers (80%) enrolled in the study via videoconferencing while eight mothers (10%) had a professional referral and enrolled via phone call (23 August 2022 to 30 March 2023). CONCLUSION: Providing a direct survey link, even with CAPTCHA-protection, evoked fraudulent responses. Videoconferencing is an emerging verification method that can be readily applied to the enrollment of breastfeeding dyads for an online study. IMPACT: The emergence of fraudulent respondents and internet bots threatens data quality. This study addressed the strategy of videoconferencing as a new verification method for recruitment and enrollment of breastfeeding dyads. This knowledge can be applied by researchers to secure sample validity and data integrity.
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BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbances have been shown to have negative health effects leading to inferior well-being, increased fatigue, and impaired performance. For hospitalized patients receiving oncology care, improving nighttime comfort may positively affect well-being and health outcomes, leading to decreased length of stay. Aromatherapy can improve sleep quantity and quality. OBJECTIVES: This pilot study aimed to determine whether aromatherapy improves nighttime comfort, in particular well-being and sleep quality, for hospitalized patients with cancer. METHODS: This quasi-experimental pilot study with a single-arm pre-/post-test design evaluated the effects of nighttime aromatherapy for hospitalized patients with cancer. Measures were the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. FINDINGS: A total of 34 hospitalized patients with cancer participated. After aromatherapy, mean well-being scores improved significantly. Mean sleep quality scores also improved but did not reach significance. Of participants who submitted open-ended responses, 20 of 22 described a positive experience with aromatherapy, including better sleep, relaxation, soothing effects, and nausea relief.
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Aromaterapia , Neoplasias , Humanos , Proyectos Piloto , Oncología Médica , NáuseaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are highly prevalent among adults with persistent pain. Yet, standard competencies for integrating pain and SUD content are lacking across health science student curricula. Additionally, pharmacotherapies to treat SUDs are underutilized. AIM: To address these gaps, a team of health science faculty created an interprofessional simulation activity using a standardized patient and evaluated learner outcomes related to assessment and treatment of comorbid persistent pain and substance use. METHODS: A total of 304 health science students representing nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and social work programs attended virtual learning sessions. Interprofessional student teams developed a team-based care plan for an adult with musculoskeletal pain who takes prescribed opioids while using alcohol. Pre- and post-activity surveys assessing knowledge and confidence were matched for 198 students. Descriptive statistics summarized survey data with inferential analysis of paired data. RESULTS: The largest significant improvements between pre- and post-activity knowledge were observed in items specific to pharmacotherapy options for alcohol and opioid use disorders. Similar gains were noted in students' confidence regarding pharmacotherapies. No significant differences were noted on pre-post-activity knowledge scores between the three main profession groups (medicine, nursing, and pharmacy). CONCLUSIONS: Students attending this interprofessional simulation demonstrated improved knowledge and confidence, particularly in pharmacotherapies for alcohol and opioid use disorders. Replication of such programs can be used to provide consistent content across health science disciplines to heighten awareness and receptivity to medications available to treat SUDs in people treated for persistent pain. The curriculum is freely available from the corresponding author.
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Educación Interprofesional , Trastornos Relacionados con Opioides , Humanos , Adulto , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Curriculum , DolorRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: An opioid task force within an urban public health district sought to increase access to, and utilization of, non-opioid, nonpharmacologic alternatives for pain management. AIMS: The COMFORT (Community-engaged Options to Maximize and Facilitate Opioid ReducTion) study was designed to provide virtual multidimensional integrated nonpharmacologic therapies via a cloud-based videoconferencing platform over six weeks to adults with chronic pain who were prescribed an opioid to investigate measurable health improvements. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive analysis explored participants' experiences of a novel pain management intervention. A total of 19 participants consented to participate in the study and 15 completed six virtual consultations with either yoga, massage, chiropractic, or physical therapists. Semi-structured exit interviews were conducted, and data analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified, including unmet pain needs, self-care practices, incentive for participation, perception of a virtual environment, and benefits of the intervention. All participants reported at least minor benefits, with about half reporting improvement in pain levels, and some were able to reduce their opioid use. A virtual environment posed challenges for a few participants who found it more difficult to engage with than in-person therapy; others found the platform easy to navigate. CONCLUSIONS: Participants with chronic pain were open and willing to try a novel way to access nonpharmacologic consultations to address unmet pain needs. Virtual consultations with pain management experts may increase access to, and utilization of, complementary and integrative treatment modalities.
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Terapia por Acupuntura , Dolor Crónico , Yoga , Humanos , Adulto , Dolor Crónico/tratamiento farmacológico , Analgésicos Opioides/uso terapéutico , Manejo del Dolor/métodosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are often used in patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter instead of warfarin and although supporting evidence is limited, available studies suggest this may be an acceptable route of care. Our study assessed the question: are DOACs as effective and safe as warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation and class III obesity specifically in a rural population? METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted by examining the first 6-12 months of therapy with a DOAC (apixaban or rivaroxaban) or warfarin in patients with weight >120kg or class III obesity. Events of interest, thrombosis and bleeding, were documented for analysis. The risk and odds of events of interest for both groups were calculated and compared. RESULTS: Characteristics of both arms were similar (DOAC n=42; warfarin n=43). A lack of thrombosis events limited efficacy analysis. A total of 22 bleeds occurred with 8 in patients prescribed a DOAC (7 minor; 1 major) and 14 in those prescribed warfarin (12 minor; 2 major). Weight in kg (p<0.001), BMI (p=0.013) and HAS-BLED score (p=0.035) were predictive of a first bleeding event in patients prescribed warfarin. The odds ratio for any type of bleed on DOAC vs warfarin was 0.55 (0.180-1.681; 95% CI). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with atrial fibrillation and class III obesity, regarding safety, DOACs appear to be non-inferior to warfarin during the first six to 12 months of therapy in our rural population - consistent with other analyses; however, the lack of thrombosis events limited the efficacy analysis.
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Fibrilación Atrial , Accidente Cerebrovascular , Humanos , Warfarina/efectos adversos , Fibrilación Atrial/tratamiento farmacológico , Fibrilación Atrial/epidemiología , Anticoagulantes/efectos adversos , Accidente Cerebrovascular/epidemiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Población Rural , Hemorragia/inducido químicamente , Hemorragia/epidemiología , Obesidad/tratamiento farmacológico , Administración Oral , Dabigatrán/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Self-monitoring asthma control is a key component of asthma management. Few studies have reported usability and acceptability of portable spirometry among young adults with asthma. Portable spirometry offers a practical solution to monitoring airway narrowing at home. The purpose of this paper was to determine if self-administered spirometry is feasible and acceptable in young adults with asthma and whether regular monitoring resulted in improved airway function as measured by forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). METHODS: Sixty-seven young adults (18-26 years) with self-reported asthma participated in a clinical trial during wildfire season which measured FEV1 as an outcome measure. Data was collected at baseline, week 4, and week 8 using a portable spirometer linked to a smartphone application. A subset of intervention participants completed spirometry twice daily. Acceptability of self-administered spirometry was evaluated after the trial among participants that volunteered to submit a survey and be interviewed. RESULTS: At baseline, all 67 participants (100.0%) completed their scheduled spirometry readings which declined to 94.0% (n = 63) at week 4 and 86.6% (n = 58) at week 8. Daily readings were completed 83.2% of the time in the mornings and 84.3% of the time in the evenings. Mean FEV1 values were lower than predicted values, but above the lower limit of expected. FEV1 remained steady throughout the study period. Over two-thirds of participants used the notes feature in the application and described symptoms, asthma triggers, mitigating actions and test-taking issues. CONCLUSIONS: Young adults in our sample were highly compliant with regular, self-administered spirometry.
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Asma , Humanos , Adulto Joven , Asma/diagnóstico , Estudios de Factibilidad , Volumen Espiratorio Forzado , Ápice del Flujo Espiratorio , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria , Espirometría/métodosRESUMEN
ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) offers opportunities to study legislative and policy changes to nurse practitioner (NP) practice limitations, including factors that affect persistence. We evaluated states with restricted or reduced practice as identified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. This analysis 1) identified and correlated key changes in policy during the PHE with state regulatory, governmental, and practice variables; 2) modeled predictive characteristics that facilitate or impede policy persistence; and 3) explored the lived experience of NPs working in eligible states with policy changes during the PHE. Focus group interviews with NP leaders and bivariate correlations with regression analysis from the 2019 to 2021 legislative sessions were conducted. Nurse practitioner identified three types of persistence during the PHE: the power differential between MDs and NPs; the existing day-to-day environment; and barriers to change. In 2019, significantly more legislation was passed in states with sunset laws (Spearman rho: -0.38; p -value = .046). During 2020, 15 states introduced a total of 22 bills focused on NP practice, although only four passed one bill each. In 2021, states with an independent board structure introduced more NP legislation than did those states with a nonindependent board structure (Spearman rho: -0.406; p -value = .032). Few PHE policies persisted, despite robust predictions that this was likely to occur. Independent board structure and sunset laws were associated with legislation introduction and passage. Policy persistence is complex and based on multiple state and environmental variables. We urge persistence in NP advocacy strategies.
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COVID-19 , Enfermeras Practicantes , Estados Unidos , Humanos , Salud Pública , Políticas , Política de SaludRESUMEN
Objective: To determine if a 2-day protocol measuring pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics can demonstrate drug-drug interactions when smoked cannabis is added to orally administered hydrocodone/acetaminophen combination products. Case Summary: A 51-year-old non-Hispanic white male with chronic pain diagnoses participated in a 2-day pilot protocol. The participant attended two 7-hour in-lab days where he received 10 blood draws each day and completed self-administered pain and anxiety surveys. For both days, the participant took his prescribed dose of hydrocodone/acetaminophen (1/2 tablet of 7.5 mg/325 mg combination product) with the addition of 1 smoked pre-rolled marijuana cigarette (labeled as 0.5 g; 22.17% Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol; 0.12% cannabidiol) on Day 2. Blood specimens were analyzed using mass spectrometry to quantify the difference of plasma hydrocodone levels between Day 1 and Day 2. Results: Compared to Day 1, lower levels of pain and anxiety were reported during Day 2 with the addition of cannabis to oral hydrocodone/acetaminophen. Day 2 pharmacokinetic analysis also revealed more rapid absorption and overall lower levels of hydrocodone in plasma. Discussion: Lower hydrocodone plasma levels in Day 2 may indicate cannabis's effect on metabolism and reduce the risk of opioid toxicity. The quicker absorption rate of hydrocodone could explain lower pain and anxiety scores reported on the second day. Conclusion and Relevance: A 2-day protocol was able to capture differences across time in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic measurements. Larger studies can be designed to better characterize the potential drug-drug interaction of cannabis and opioids.
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OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction scores in emergency nurses after working through the COVID-19 pandemic using the Professional Quality of Life Scale version 5 and compare those scores with similar studies conducted before the pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of a descriptive survey including the Professional Quality of Life Scale version 5 questionnaire was sent to nurses working in the emergency department before 2021 from urban, adult, and pediatric receiving hospitals in Southern California. Results were analyzed to provide insight into the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the levels of burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction compared with prepandemic studies found in the literature using the same Professional Quality of Life Scale version 5 instrument. RESULTS: Mean subcategory scores were in the moderate range for burnout (25.6), secondary traumatic stress (24.5), and compassion satisfaction (38.7). Burnout scores for midshift nurses were found to be significantly higher than day shift nurses (mean difference 5, P = .02) as were secondary traumatic stress scores (mean difference 4.6, P = .007). In addition, compassion satisfaction subcategory scores in nurses with 1 child living at home were significantly higher than those with 2 (mean difference 6.7, P = .02). DISCUSSION: The unnormalized mean findings were similar to prepandemic studies conducted using the same Professional Quality of Life Scale version 5 instrument indicating nurses are at risk of compassion fatigue. In addition, the scores from midshift nurses reflect increased burnout and secondary traumatic stress whereas nurses with 2 children had lower compassion satisfaction. This implies the need for leadership to proactively seek interventions to support nurses on each shift.
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Agotamiento Profesional , COVID-19 , Desgaste por Empatía , Enfermeras y Enfermeros , Adulto , Agotamiento Profesional/epidemiología , COVID-19/epidemiología , Niño , Desgaste por Empatía/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Empatía , Humanos , Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Pandemias , Satisfacción Personal , Calidad de Vida , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Pain, drug cravings, and opioid withdrawal symptoms can interfere with substance use disorder or opioid tapering treatment goals. AIM: This pilot study investigated the feasibility of a protocol designed to test opioid withdrawal symptom relief relative to a sham condition after two consecutive days of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for adults prescribed daily methadone for opioid use disorder. METHOD: Using a double-blind protocol, eight adults were randomized to receive either a full 90-minute HBOT dose in a pressurized chamber with 100% oxygen at 2.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA) or a sham condition receiving 21% oxygen (equivalent to room air within the chamber) at a minimal pressure of ≤1.3 ATA. Measures included study retention, treatment satisfaction, and pre- and post-intervention effects for opioid withdrawal symptoms, drug cravings, pain intensity and interference, sleep quality, and mood. RESULTS: Study retention and treatment satisfaction was high. All measurements improved more, on average, for participants receiving full-dose HBOT treatment than among participants receiving sham treatments except for clinically observed withdrawal symptoms. The largest positive effects were observed in measurements of pain intensity and drug craving. CONCLUSIONS: These pilot results provide evidence to support a fully powered study of HBOT as a potential treatment adjunct for adults receiving methadone for opioid use disorder. Trends towards symptom improvements were detected from pre- to post-HBOT in the full treatment arm versus sham condition. More research into novel non-pharmacologic options to relieve distressing symptoms related to pain and opioid use disorder is essential to improve clinical outcomes.
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Oxigenoterapia Hiperbárica , Trastornos Relacionados con Opioides , Síndrome de Abstinencia a Sustancias , Adulto , Humanos , Analgésicos Opioides/efectos adversos , Oxigenoterapia Hiperbárica/métodos , Metadona , Trastornos Relacionados con Opioides/terapia , Oxígeno , Dolor , Proyectos Piloto , Síndrome de Abstinencia a Sustancias/terapia , Manejo del DolorRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE(S): This study explored the feasibility, acceptability, preliminary impact, and functionality of two risk reduction mobile application (app) interventions on asthma outcomes as compared to a control arm during wildfire season. DESIGN: Three-arm, 8-week randomized clinical trial. SAMPLE: Sixty-seven young adults with asthma were enrolled. MEASUREMENTS: The Asthma Control Test, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1 ) and the System Usability Scale were measured at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks. The Research Attitude Scale was administered at 8 weeks. Twenty participants from the two intervention arms completed an optional survey and six were interviewed after completing the study. INTERVENTION: Both intervention arms could access Smoke Sense Urbanova, an app that supports reducing risks from breathing wildfire smoke. The Smoke Sense Urbanova Plus arm also monitored their daily FEV1 , received air quality notifications, and accessed preventive tips and a message board. RESULTS: Most participants agreed the app and spirometer were usable and their privacy and confidentiality were maintained. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Participant-identified recommendations will support intervention refinement and testing. This research supports asthma self-management tools that public health nurses and community health workers can recommend for at-risk populations.
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Asma , Incendios Forestales , Asma/prevención & control , Estudios de Factibilidad , Humanos , Conducta de Reducción del Riesgo , Humo/efectos adversos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Introduction: Nurse practitioners (NPs) are authorizing providers for medical cannabis in many states, and may serve as a primary care clinician. We report findings from a nationally distributed 2-h continuing education (CE) module aimed to improve knowledge, confidence, and willingness to communicate with patients about cannabis. Methods: Data were electronically obtained from the CE platform pre- and post-test (n=289) and a follow-up survey sent within 3 months postcompletion (n=184, 63%). Pre- and post-testing assessed cannabis pharmacodynamics, law, evidence-based use, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, laboratory testing, adverse reactions, and drug-drug interactions. The subsequent survey asked about changes in practice behavior, including willingness and self-identified recommendations for use. Quantitative and qualitative descriptive analysis and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used to analyze CE impact. Results: Significant improvement in scores was noted from pretest to post-test for all content with a mean improvement of 39.3% (95% CI: 30.6-47.9%). The greatest increases were for metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and drug-drug interaction content. At follow-up, 52.2% reported that the CE changed their attitudes about cannabis and although 86% had rarely or never applied it yet in practice, 92% reported they were now likely to inquire about cannabis use in their patients and 84% were likely to counsel patients about it. Although self-identified recommendations overlapped by conditions, some were unique to CBD (complex regional pain syndrome, migraine, mood disorder, smoking cessation) and THC products (appetite, cachexia, depression, fibromyalgia, HIV, seizure disorder, stress, and weight loss). Pain was the most common condition for recommendation of both CBD and THC, followed by anxiety and arthritis. Conclusions: NPs gained key knowledge about cannabis, which may impact patient care and prescribing practices. The educational module resulted in more willingness to discuss and counsel patients about cannabis, even if practitioner attitudes did not change.
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Cannabis , Alucinógenos , Marihuana Medicinal , Enfermeras Practicantes , Humanos , Marihuana Medicinal/efectos adversos , Dronabinol , Analgésicos , Agonistas de Receptores de CannabinoidesRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Gaps in research evidence and inconsistent policies regarding use of cannabis for pain and associated symptoms result in confusion for healthcare providers and patients. The objective of this review was to synthesize information on cannabis use for pain with legal and policy implications to create a shared decision-making model that can be used to guide patient care interactions. APPROACH: Current cannabis policies, state laws, research, and patient care practices related to medical and recreational cannabis in the United States were reviewed, along with best practices in shared decision-making. Reviewed literature was then synthesized to create a model that can be used by registered nurses and others to address cannabis use, where legal, for pain and related symptoms. RESULT AND CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis is a legal option for many patients with pain. To minimize harms and optimize benefits, nurses can play a key role when authorized by law in assisting with decision-making surrounding cannabis use.
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Dolor , Analgésicos , Cannabis , Humanos , Marihuana Medicinal/uso terapéutico , Dolor/tratamiento farmacológico , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
Purpose: To determine the impact of a pharmacist-driven medication therapy management (MTM) program for patients receiving oral chemotherapy agents. Methods: We assessed the impact of MTM consultations with a pharmacist for patients who were receiving a new prescription for an oral chemotherapy agent. Data were assessed for outcomes including (1) number of medication errors identified in electronic medical records (EMRs), (2) number of interventions performed by the pharmacist, (3) time spent on the MTM process, and (4) patient satisfaction. Data were compared between patients who received their oral chemotherapy agents from the onsite specialty pharmacy or from a mail-order pharmacy. The data were also examined for correlations, and logistic regression was utilized to determine the largest variant cofactor to create an equation for estimating the number of errors in a patient's EMR. Results: Fifteen patients received an MTM consultation, and the pharmacists identified an average of 6 medication EMR errors per patient. There was an average of 3 pharmacist-led interventions per patient. Multiple significant correlations were noted between the variables: (1) total number of prescriptions a patient was taking, (2) total number of medication errors identified, (3) time spent on the MTM process, and (4) total number of interventions performed by the pharmacist. Patient satisfaction was favorable for the program. Conclusion: The implementation of a pharmacist-driven MTM program for patients receiving a prescription for an oral chemotherapy agent had a significant impact on patient care by improving medication reconciliation, identifying drug-related problems, and strengthening pharmacist-patient interactions in the oncology clinic.
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IN BRIEF Biosimilar insulins are available in many countries and will be made available in the United States in the near future. Some concerns associated with biosimilar insulins include potential differences in the efficacy and safety between a biosimilar product and its reference insulin, the ramifications of having the same name or different names for a biosimilar and its reference insulin, the prospects of and limitations to substituting insulin products, and the proper implementation of pharmacovigilance. Still, health care providers will have the opportunity, with continued appropriate monitoring, to offer alternative, and possibly more individualized, therapy for diabetes management with the introduction of biosimilar insulins.
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Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive 5 to 6 well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committees. Subscribers also receive monthly 1-page summary monographs on agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing in-services. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation/medication use evaluation (DUE/MUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are sent in print and are also available on-line. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of a facility. A drug class review is now published monthly with The Formulary Monograph Service. Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. For more information about The Formulary Monograph Service, contact Wolters Kluwer customer service at 866-397-3433. The May 2016 monograph topics are sugammadex, lesinurad, selexipag, sebelipase alfa, and alectinib. The Safey MUE is on sugammadex.
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Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive 5 to 6 well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committees. Subscribers also receive monthly 1-page summary monographs on agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing in-services. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation/medication use evaluation (DUE/MUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are sent in print and are also available on-line. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of a facility. A drug class review is now published monthly with The Formulary Monograph Service. Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. For more information about The Formulary Monograph Service, contact Wolters Kluwer customer service at 866-397-3433. The June 2016 monograph topics are elbasvir/grazoprevir, ixekizumab, brivaracetam, reslizumab, and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir. The Safety MUE is on reslizumab.