Pre-implementation context and implementation approach for a nursing and midwifery clinician researcher career pathway: A qualitative study.

AIM: To describe the pre-implementation context and implementation approach, for a clinician researcher career pathway. BACKGROUND: Clinician researchers across all health disciplines are emerging to radically influence practice change and improve patient outcomes. Yet, to date, there are limited clinician researcher career pathways embedded in clinical practice for nurses and midwives. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design was used. DATA SOURCES: Data were collected from four online focus groups and four interviews of health consumers, nursing and midwifery clinicians, and nursing unit managers (N = 20) between July 2022 and September 2023. RESULTS: Thematic and content analysis identified themes/categories relating to: Research in health professionals' roles and nursing and midwifery, and Research activity and culture (context); with implementation approaches within coherence, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring (Normalization Process Theory). CONCLUSIONS: The Pathway was perceived to meet organizational objectives with the potential to create significant cultural change in nursing and midwifery. Backfilling of protected research time was essential. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: The Pathway was seen as an instrument to empower staff, foster staff retention and extend research opportunities to every nurse and midwife, while improving patient experiences and outcomes. IMPACT: Clinicians, consumers and managers fully supported the implementation of clinician researchers with this Pathway. The Pathway could engage all clinicians in evidence-based practice with a clinician researcher leader, effect practice change with colleagues and enhance patient outcomes. REPORTING METHOD: This study adheres to relevant EQUATOR guidelines using the COREG checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Health consumers involved in this research as participants, did not contribute to the design or conduct of the study, analysis or interpretation of the data, or in the preparation of the manuscript.

Self-care behaviours of first-generation Chinese immigrants living with cardiovascular disease: A qualitative study.

AIM: To identify and describe self-care behaviours performed by Chinese immigrants living with cardiovascular disease in Australia, and factors perceived as barriers and facilitators to evidence-based cardiac self-care. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive design. METHODS: Individual semi-structured phone interviews were conducted among participants meeting the following criteria: (1) first-generation Chinese immigrants to Australia, born in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan; (2) Australian permanent residents or citizens; (3) self-reported or medically diagnosed with coronary heart disease, stroke or heart failure; (4) able to speak English or Mandarin; (5) able to provide informed consent, excluding those with history or evidence of impaired cognition such as dementia. Participants were recruited via social media, Chinese community associations and medical centres from September 2021 to June 2022. Data were analysed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis, guided by the Middle-Range Theory of Self-Care of Chronic Illness. The study was reported in line with the COREQ checklist. RESULTS: Twenty participants were interviewed, 60% female, mean age 69.9 years. Most migrated to Australia at older age following their retirement in China; most had limited English proficiency. Many practiced adequate self-care for their CVD in self-care maintenance and monitoring. Variously, they adopted heart-healthy diets, developed exercise routines, attended medical services and closely monitored their body signs and symptoms. However, self-adjusting medications, taking Traditional Chinese Medicine and self-administering health supplements were prevalent practices and first-response management of acute cardiac symptoms was suboptimal. Linguistic and cultural barriers to obtaining mainstream heart health information meant most participants resorted to informal, anecdotal and mainland Chinese sources. CONCLUSION: Diverse factors were held responsible for sub-optimal self-care behaviours but lack of access to linguistically and culturally appropriate heart health information was widely blamed. Linguistically and culturally appropriate community-based heart health education programmes are urgently needed, targeting healthy lifestyle modification, medication literacy and cardiac symptom management. IMPACT: Study findings can be used to improve cardiac nurses' cultural sensitivity and practices targeting Chinese immigrants. Partnering with Chinese community associations offers health service providers and policymakers an innovative route to co-design and deliver targeted heart health education interventions and support for this population. PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Chinese community centre managers contributed to data collection by supporting participant recruitment.

Service use and glycaemic control of young people with type 1 diabetes transitioning from paediatric to adult care: a 5-year study.

BACKGROUND: Regular contact with specialist care has been linked to better diabetes outcomes for young people with type 1 diabetes (YPwT1D), but evidence is limited to population-based service usage and outcomes. AIMS: This observational 5-year study sought to capture YPwT1D living in the study catchment area (covering metropolitan, regional and rural Australia) as they transitioned to adult-based diabetes healthcare services and to describe their glycaemic control and complication rates, service usage and associated factors. METHODS: Records between 2010 and 2014 in a public healthcare specialist diabetes database were extracted, care processes and outcomes were described, and associations were sought between episodes of care (EOC) and potentially predictive variables. RESULTS: Annual cohort numbers increased yearly, but without significant differences in demographic characteristics. Each year around 40% had no reported planned specialist care, and the average number of planned EOC decreased significantly year on year. Overall, mean HbA1c levels also reduced significantly, but with higher values recorded for those living in non-metropolitan than metropolitan areas (achieving significance in 3 out of 5 years). Diabetes complication assessments were only reported in 37-46%, indicating one in five with retinopathy and hypertension affecting one in three to five young people. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of investment to address the specific needs of adolescents and young adults and demonstrate the need for better support during these vulnerable early years, particularly for non-metropolitan residents. This will entail changes to funding mechanisms, the health workforce and infrastructure, and new models of care to provide equity of access and quality of specialist care.

Development and implementation of Australian State, territory, and national policy on the health and wellbeing of adolescents and young adults: An exploration of policy actor perspectives using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

OBJECTIVES: Government policies that support the health and wellbeing of young people (aged 10 to 25) can have important individual and societal impacts. The aim of this study was to explore policy actor perspectives on the development and implementation of Australian government policies focussed on the health and wellbeing of young people. METHODS: We utilised a qualitative research design consisting of semi-structured interviews with policy actors with experience working with Australian youth health policies. Our interview guide and analyses were informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). We interviewed 19 participants from various national, state, and territory bodies. RESULTS: Several specific barriers and facilitators to policy development and implementation were identified using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Key policy development barriers were limited available resources (e.g. staffing and funding) and low relative priority within health and political systems. Key policy implementation barriers were limited available resources, limited policy compatibility with health services, cosmopolitanism issues related to interagency collaboration, and a lack of policy evaluation. Meaningful engagement of young people could also be improved. CONCLUSIONS: Although Australian youth health policies are perceived as evidence-based and comprehensively developed, the ability to promote implementation remains stalled. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: The development of policy implementation plans, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, funding and resources, and a strong commitment to removing barriers to working across multiple departments and systems is required to improve outcomes for young people.

Establishing consensus recommendations for long-term osteoporosis care for patients who have attended an Australian fracture liaison service: a Delphi study.

Coordinating healthcare activities between fracture liaison services (FLS) and primary care is challenging. Using a Delphi technique, we developed 34 consensus statements to support improved care coordination across this healthcare transition. PURPOSE: Evidence supporting an optimal coordination strategy between fracture liaison services (FLS) and primary care is lacking. This study aimed to develop consensus statements to support consistency and benchmarking of clinical practice to improve coordination of care for patients transitioning from FLS to primary care following an osteoporotic fracture. METHODS: A Delphi technique was used to develop consensus among a panel of experts, including FLS clinicians (medical and non-medical), general practitioners (GPs), and consumers. RESULTS: Results of a preparatory questionnaire (n = 33) informed the development of 34 statements for review by expert panellists over two Delphi rounds (n = 25 and n = 19, respectively). The majority of participants were from New South Wales (82%), employed as FLS clinicians (78.8%) and working in metropolitan centres (60.6%). Consensus was achieved for 24/34 statements in round one and 8/10 statements in round two. All statements concerning patient education, communication, and the GP-patient relationship achieved consensus. Expert opinions diverged in some areas of clinician roles and responsibilities and long-term monitoring and management recommendations. CONCLUSION: We found clear consensus among experts in many key areas of FLS integration with primary care. While experts agreed that primary care is the most appropriate setting for long-term osteoporosis care, overall confidence in primary care systems to achieve this was low. The role of (and responsibility for) adherence monitoring in a resource-limited setting remains to be defined.

Unmet Supportive Care Needs Among Cancer Patients in Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Mixed Method Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Supportive cancer care is vital to reducing the current disparities in cancer outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including poor survival and low quality of life, and ultimately achieving equity in cancer care. This is the first review aimed to evaluate the extent of unmet supportive care needs and identify their contributing factors among patients with cancer in SSA. METHODS: Six electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, Medline [Ovid], PsycINFO, PubMed, and Cochrane Library of Databases] were systematically searched. Studies that addressed one or more domains of unmet supportive cancer care needs were included. Findings were analyzed using narrative analysis and meta-analysis, as appropriate. RESULT: Eleven articles out of 2732 were retained in the review. The pooled prevalence of perceived unmet need for cancer care in SSA was 63% (95% CI: 45, 81) for physical, 59% (95% CI: 45, 72) for health information and system, 58% (95% CI: 42, 74) for psychological, 44% (95% CI: 29, 59) for patient care and support, and 43% (95% CI: 23, 63) for sexual. Older age, female sex, rural residence, advanced cancer stage, and low access to health information were related to high rates of multiple unmet needs within supportive care domains. CONCLUSION: In SSA, optimal cancer care provision was low, up to two-thirds of patients reported unmet needs for one or more domains. Strengthening efforts to develop comprehensive and integrated systems for supportive care services are keys to improving the clinical outcome, survival, and quality of life of cancer patients in SSA.

Knowledge and awareness of policies and programmes to reduce adolescent pregnancy in Ghana: a qualitative study among key stakeholders.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent sexual and reproductive health continues to be a major public health issue in low-and middle-income countries. While many countries have policies aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy, evidence of their impact is unclear. This study sought to explore the knowledge and awareness of policies and programmes aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy among health and education professionals and grassroot workers in Ghana. METHODS: We employed a cross-sectional, qualitative study design involving semi-structured interviews with 30 key informants (health and education professionals and grassroot workers) in the Central Region of Ghana. We also conducted a desktop review of policies aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy in Ghana. We used content analysis to analyse the data. RESULTS: Eight of the 30 participants demonstrated awareness of policies aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy but only two could elaborate on this. By contrast, 19 of the 30 participants were aware of relevant programmes and provided detailed description of their implementation and activities carried out under each programme. Despite participants' low policy awareness and knowledge, their descriptions of the activities carried out under each programme aligned with the strategies and activities of the policies mentioned, as evident from the desktop review of the policies. CONCLUSION: Greater engagement of stakeholders in future policy development should increase policy awareness. Dissemination of policy content through community-based media channels and in local languages should promote and facilitate stakeholder engagement, which in turn should increase effective policy implementation with subsequent reduction of adolescent pregnancy.

Adolescent pregnancy is a major public health issue in low-and middle-income countries. Efforts to reduce adolescent pregnancy have become major health priorities globally. Several international organisations, including the United Nations, have adopted strategies such as those featured under the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.7. These strategies seek to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes by 2030. Many countries have policies and programmes with implementation strategies aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy; however, evidence of their impact is unclear.We explored the knowledge and awareness of policies and programmes aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy among health and education professionals and grassroot workers in Ghana. We conducted interviews among 30 key informants in Ghana.Few of the participants demonstrated awareness of policies aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy and only two could elaborate on this. By contrast, most participants were aware of relevant programmes and provided detailed description of their implementation and activities carried out under them. Greater engagement of stakeholders in future policy development should increase policy awareness. Dissemination of policy content through community-based media channels and in local languages should promote and facilitate stakeholder engagement, which in turn should increase effective policy implementation with subsequent reduction of adolescent pregnancy.

Safer medicines To reduce falls and refractures for OsteoPorosis (#STOP): a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of medical specialist-initiated pharmacist-led medication management reviews in primary care.

INTRODUCTION: Minimal trauma fractures (MTFs) often occur in older patients with osteoporosis and may be precipitated by falls risk-increasing drugs. One category of falls risk-increasing drugs of concern are those with sedative/anticholinergic properties. Collaborative medication management services such as Australia's Home Medicine Review (HMR) can reduce patients' intake of sedative/anticholinergics and improve continuity of care. This paper describes a protocol for an randomised controlled trial to determine the efficacy of an HMR service for patients who have sustained MTF. METHOD AND ANALYSIS: Eligible participants are as follows: ≥65 years of age, using ≥5 medicines including at least one falls risk-increasing drug, who have sustained an MTF and under treatment in one of eight Osteoporosis Refracture Prevention clinics in Australia. Consenting participants will be randomised to control (standard care) or intervention groups. For the intervention group, medical specialists will refer to a pharmacist for HMR focused on reducing falls risk predominately through making recommendations to reduce falls risk medicines, and adherence to antiosteoporosis medicines. Twelve months from treatment allocation, comparisons between groups will be made. The main outcome measure is participants' cumulative exposure to sedative and anticholinergics, using the Drug Burden Index. Secondary outcomes include medication adherence, emergency department visits, hospitalisations, falls and mortality. Economic evaluation will compare the intervention strategy with standard care. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Approval was obtained via the New South Wales Research Ethics and Governance Information System (approval number: 2021/ETH12003) with site-specific approvals granted through Human Research Ethics Committees for each research site. Study outcomes will be published in peer-reviewed journals. It will provide robust insight into effectiveness of a pharmacist-based intervention on medicine-related falls risk for patients with osteoporosis. We anticipate that this study will take 2 years to fully accrue including follow-up. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12622000261718.

Coexisiting type 1 diabetes and celiac disease is associated with lower Hba1c when compared to type 1 diabetes alone: data from the Australasian Diabetes Data Network (ADDN) registry.

AIM: To compare HbA1c and clinical outcomes in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D), with or without celiac disease (CD). METHODS: Longitudinal data were extracted from ADDN, a prospective clinical diabetes registry. Inclusion criteria were T1D (with or without CD), ≥ 1 HbA1c measurement, age 16-25 years and diabetes duration ≥ 1 year at last measurement. Multivariable Generalised Estimated Equation models were used for longitudinal analysis of variables associated with HbA1c. RESULTS: Across all measurements, those with coexisting T1D and CD had lower HbA1c when compared to those with T1D alone (8.5 ± 1.5% (69.4 ± 16.8 mmol/mol) vs. 8.7 ± 1.8% (71.4 ± 19.8 mmol/mol); p < 0.001); lower HbA1c was associated with shorter diabetes duration (B = - 0.06; 95% CI - 0.07 to - 0.05; p < 0.001), male sex (B = - 0.24; - 0.36 to - 0.11; p < 0.001), insulin pump therapy use (B = - 0.46; - 0.58 to - 0.34; p < 0.001), coexistence of T1D and CD (B = - 0.28; - 0.48 to - 0.07; p = 0.01), blood pressure (B = - 0.16; - 0.23 to - 0.09; p < 0.001) and body mass index (B = -- 0.03; - 0.02 to - 0.04; p = 0.01) in the normal range. At last measurement, 11.7% of the total population had a HbA1c < 7.0% (53.0 mmol/mol). CONCLUSIONS: Across all measurements, coexisting T1D and CD is associated with lower HbA1c when compared to T1D alone. However, HbA1c is above target in both groups.

Exploring barriers and opportunities to improve osteoporosis care across the acute-to-primary care interface: a qualitative study.

This qualitative study interviewed general practitioners, patients, and FLS clinicians and identified key challenges facing stakeholders seeking to improve post-fracture osteoporosis care. Local policies and care pathways as an initial strategy may address information and service delivery issues across the acute-primary care divide. INTRODUCTION: Fracture liaison services (FLS) can be effective for secondary fracture prevention, but long-term adherence to therapies remains suboptimal. Few studies have explored how services manage the transition between tertiary and primary post-fracture care. This study mapped service processes and factors influencing integration of post-clinic care, identifying barriers, supports, and opportunities for seamless healthcare. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews with FLS stakeholders at two metropolitan hospitals in New South Wales (NSW) and surrounding general practices. RESULTS: Seven FLS clinicians, 11 general practitioners (GPs), and seven patients were interviewed. Six key themes emerged on the transition of patient care from tertiary to primary care (PC). Interprofessional communication issues and role ambiguity posed threats to seamless care. Delayed, absent, inaccessible, or poor-quality communication frustrated GPs, while FLS clinicians lacked confidence in existing communication systems and desired bidirectional communication with PC. GPs were confident managing osteoporosis, but FLS clinicians had limited confidence that patients would discuss osteoporosis with their GP and that GPs would action recommendations. Effective PC follow-up required a positive GP-patient relationship and that patients perceived a need to engage with PC. Patient understanding of osteoporosis (influenced by patient education, knowledge, beliefs, and health behaviours) affected PC attendance. Limited public awareness of osteoporosis and healthcare policy deficits contributed to care gaps. CONCLUSION: Key challenges were identified facing stakeholders seeking to improving post-clinic osteoporosis care. Development and implementation of local, integrated acute-community policies and care pathways as an initial intervention may address information and service delivery issues across the acute-PC divide.

Nutritional status and its determinants among adolescents with HIV on anti-retroviral treatment in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This review aimed to determine what methods are used to assess nutritional status, the levels of nutritional status, determinants of undernutrition, and nutritional interventions employed for adolescents with HIV on Anti-Retroviral Therapy follow-up in Low- and Middle-Income countries. METHODS: Established methods were used to systematically identify and retrieve studies published in five databases between January 2000 to May 2021, and citation searching. Quality was appraised and findings were synthesized using narrative analysis and meta-analysis. RESULT: Body Mass Index is the major indicator of nutritional status. The pooled prevalence of stunting, wasting, and overweight were 28.0%, 17.0%, and 5.0%, respectively. Adolescent males are 1.85 and 2.55 times more likely than adolescent females to suffer from both stunting and wasting at AOR = 1.85 (95%:1.47, 2.31) and AOR = 2.55 (95%: 1.88, 3.48), respectively. Similarly, adolescents with a history of opportunistic infections were 2.97 times more likely to be stunted than uninfected adolescents, AOR = 2.97 (95%:1.73, 5.12). One single intervention study found significant improvements in anthropometric status after nutritional supplementation. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The few studies that have been conducted on nutritional status in adolescents living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries indicate that stunting and wasting are common in this population. Avoiding opportunistic infections is an important protective factor but the review highlighted the generally inadequate and fragmented nature of nutritional screening and support programs. Development of comprehensive and integrated systems for nutritional assessment and intervention services during ART follow-up should be prioritized to improve adolescent clinical outcomes and survival.

Blood pressure in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: data from the Australasian Diabetes Data Network registry.

AIM: Hypertension increases complication risk in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We examined blood pressure (BP) in adolescents and young adults with T1D from the Australasian Diabetes Data Network, a prospective clinical diabetes registry in Australia and New Zealand. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study of prospectively collected registry data. INCLUSION CRITERIA: T1D (duration ≥ 1 year) and age 16-25 years at last visit (2011-2020). Hypertension was defined as (on ≥ 3 occasions) systolic BP and/or diastolic BP > 95th percentile for age < 18 years, and systolic BP > 130 and/or diastolic BP > 80 mmHg for age ≥ 18 years. Multivariable Generalised Estimating Equations were used to examine demographic and clinical factors associated with BP in the hypertensive range across all visits. RESULTS: Data from 6338 young people (male 52.6%) attending 24 participating centres across 36,655 T1D healthcare visits were included; 2812 (44.4%) had BP recorded at last visit. Across all visits, 19.4% of youth aged < 18 years and 21.7% of those aged ≥ 18 years met criteria for hypertension. In both age groups, BP in the hypertensive range was associated with male sex, injection (vs. pump) therapy, higher HbA1c, and higher body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high proportion of adolescents and young adults reported with BP persistently in hypertensive ranges. Findings flag the additive contribution of hypertension to the well-established body of evidence indicating a need to review healthcare models for adolescents and young adults with T1D.

Self-care behaviours and related cultural factors among Chinese immigrants with cardiovascular disease in western countries: an integrative review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to demonstrate the self-care behaviours of first-generation Chinese immigrants with cardiovascular disease in western countries and identify related cultural factors. BACKGROUND: Self-care is the cornerstone to mitigate disease symptoms and maintain health status. Chinese immigrants to western countries, operating within a cross-cultural context, may find self-care to manage their cardiovascular disease challenging. DESIGN: An integrative review was conducted. METHODS: Seven databases were searched Scopus, ProQuest Health & Medicine, Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), AMED (Ovid), PsycINFO and CINAHL, with output limited to peer-reviewed studies published from 2000 to 2020 in English or Chinese. Initially, 2037 papers were screened. Six papers were retained and critiqued using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Deductive and inductive approaches were utilised to analyse the findings. The PRISMA 2020 checklist informed review reportage. RESULT: In general, Chinese immigrants with cardiovascular disease took an active role in management of their cardiovascular disease, including through diet and activity adaptation and adherence to western medication. Families also played a significant role in disease decision-making and management. However, language and cultural barriers impeded their access to health information and resources in host countries. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Understanding self-care behaviours and associated cultural factors among Chinese immigrants with cardiovascular disease is important to improve nurses' culturally sensitive practices and provide tailored health education interventions to promote self-care behaviours among immigrant populations. The scarcity of literature on self-care behaviours among Chinese first-generation immigrants with cardiovascular disease indicates the need for further research in this area. Development of culturally and linguistically sensitive health resources and education programs is urgently needed.

Hospital presentations with diabetic ketoacidosis: A retrospective review.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a significant source of preventable episodes of care and cost. This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with DKA in an area of socio-economic deprivation in metropolitan Queensland, Australia, and to describe factors associated with hospital admission and re-presentation in this population. METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive analysis of routine healthcare record data for January 2015-December 2019. People with T1D were identified through hospital discharge codes. RESULTS: More than half (n = 165) the estimated local T1D population (n = 317) experienced an index ED presentation for DKA; mean±SD age at ED presentation was 31.1 + /- 19.3 years, 126 (76.4%) were aged ≥ 16 years and 20 (12.1%) were newly diagnosed. Index DKA presentation was significantly associated with female sex (p = 0.04) but no other demographic or geographic variables. More than half the presentations (n = 92, 55.8%) occurred outside regular business hours. Twenty-three representations occurred within 90 days, associated with older age (p = 0.045) and lower residential socio-economic score (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the frequent problem of DKA and the importance of socio-economic influences. This flags the need and opportunity to improve support to people with T1D to promote diabetes self-care.

Unscheduled emergency department presentations with diabetes: Identifying high risk characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Unscheduled emergency department (ED) presentation by patients with diabetes has seldom been examined. This study aimed to determine the frequency and associated characteristics of presentations in this population. METHODS: Using a prospective cross-sectional design, data were collected from patients with diabetes presenting and/or admitted to a tertiary metropolitan hospital in New South Wales, Australia (December 2016-September 2017). A screening interview including brief measures of cognitive and executive function, and clinical details from healthcare records were utilised; details around unscheduled presentations within 90 days were extracted. Independent associations with ED presentation were determined. RESULTS: Unscheduled ED presentations were common; 35.4% had at least one within 90 days, and for 20.1% this occurred within 28 days. The screening tool contributed little towards identifying risk of unscheduled presentation. Those attending any community or outpatient follow-up appointment within the first 28 (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.23-0.76; p = 0.004) or 90 days (OR 0.25; 0.13-0.47; p < 0.001) from the index presentation were less likely to present within that same period. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicated the magnitude of unscheduled ED presentation, care complexity and the value of targeted and timely follow-up. Alternative service support may help maintain and improve diabetes self-management and will require effectiveness and cost-effectiveness evaluation.

Psychological sequelae of hand injuries: an integrative review.

This integrative review investigated reports of psychological impact and sequelae of traumatic hand injuries. A systematic search using Medline, PsychINFO, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and hand-searching methods was conducted from 2008 to 2020. Nine included articles with a total of 503 participants were reported in prospective cross-sectional or longitudinal cohort studies. Depression and anxiety were common, affecting between 7% and 71% and between 23% and 71% of patients, respectively. Post-traumatic stress disorder affected between 3% and 95% of patients. Factors reported predicting psychological sequelae of hand injuries included injury severity, pain, limb dysfunction, negative perceptions of injured limbs, suboptimal coping mechanisms and limited social support. Symptoms persisted for protracted periods of follow-up but broadly attenuated after 3 months. We conclude that the high prevalence and enduring nature of psychological symptoms demonstrate an urgent need for further research to optimize treatment.Level of evidence: III.

Barriers and facilitators regarding the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy in Ghana: an exploratory qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the perceived barriers and facilitators regarding the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy among health and education professionals ('professionals'), grassroots workers and adolescent girls in Ghana. DESIGN AND SETTING: We employed an exploratory qualitative study design involving interviews with professionals, grassroots workers and adolescent girls in the Central Region of Ghana. PARTICIPANTS: This study involved 15 professionals employed in government or non-governmental organisations, 15 grassroots workers and 51 pregnant/parenting and non-pregnant adolescent girls. DATA ANALYSIS: Thematic analysis was conducted deductively using the ecological framework for understanding effective implementation. RESULTS: Eighteen themes mapped to the five domains of the ecological framework emerged. Perceived barriers included gender inequality, family poverty, stigma, community support for early childbearing and cohabitation, inadequate data systems, lack of collaboration between stakeholders and lack of political will. Effective implementation of community by-laws, youth involvement, use of available data, and collaboration and effective coordination between stakeholders were the perceived facilitators. CONCLUSION: Political leaders and community members should be actively engaged in the implementation of adolescent sexual and reproductive health policies and programmes. Gender empowerment programmes such as education and training of adolescent girls should be implemented and strengthened at both the community and national levels. Community members should be sensitised on the negative effects of norms that support child marriage, gender-based violence and early childbearing.