Hospital doctors' and general practitioners' perspectives of outpatient discharge processes in Australia: an interpretive approach.

BACKGROUND: Unnecessary delays in patient discharge from hospital outpatient clinics have direct consequences for timely access of new patients and the length of outpatient waiting times. The aim of this study was to gain better understanding of hospital doctors' and general practitioners' perspectives of the barriers and facilitators when discharging from hospital outpatients to general practice. METHODS: An interpretative approach incorporating semi-structured interviews with 15 participants enabled both hospital doctors and general practitioners to give their perspectives on hospital outpatient discharge processes. RESULTS: Participants mentioned various system problems hampering discharge from hospital outpatient clinics to general practice, such as limitations of electronic communication tools, workforce and workload challenges, the absence of agreed discharge principles, and lack of benchmark data. Hospital clinicians may keep patients under their care out of a concern about lack of follow-up and an inability to escalate timely hospital care following discharge. Some hospital clinicians may have a personal preference to provide ongoing care in the outpatient setting. Other factors mentioned were insufficient supervision of junior doctors, a patient preference to remain under hospital care, and the ease of scheduling follow-up appointments. An effective handover process requires protected time, a systematic approach, and a supportive clinical environment including user-friendly electronic communication and clinical handover tools. Several system improvements and models of care were suggested, such as agreed discharge processes, co-designed between hospitals and general practice. Recording and sharing outpatient discharge data may assist to inform and motivate hospital clinicians and support the training of junior doctors. General practitioners participating in the study were prepared to provide continuation of care but require timely clinical management plans that can be applied in the community setting. A hospital re-entry pathway providing rapid access to outpatient hospital resources after discharge could act as a safety net and may be an alternative to the standard 12-month review in hospital outpatient clinics. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the barriers to discharge as mentioned in the literature and adds the perspectives of both hospital clinicians and general practitioners. Potential solutions were suggested including co-designed discharge policies, improved electronic communication tools and a rapid hospital review pathway following discharge.

Silent voices of the midwives: factors that influence midwives' achievement of successful neonatal resuscitation in sub-Saharan Africa: a narrative inquiry.

BACKGROUND: In Tanzania, birth asphyxia is a leading cause of neonatal death. The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence successful neonatal resuscitation to inform clinical practice and reduce the incidence of very early neonatal death (death within 24 h of delivery). METHODS: This was a qualitative narrative inquiry study utilizing the 32 consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ). Audio-recorded, semistructured, individual interviews with midwives were conducted. Thematic analysis was applied to identify themes. RESULTS: Thematic analysis of the midwives' responses revealed three factors that influence successful resuscitation: 1. Hands-on training ("HOT") with clinical support during live emergency neonatal resuscitation events, which decreases fear and enables the transfer of clinical skills; 2. Unequivocal commitment to the Golden Minute® and the mindset of the midwife; and. 3. Strategies that reduce barriers. Immediately after birth, live resuscitation can commence at the mother's bedside, with actively guided clinical instruction. Confidence and mastery of resuscitation competencies are reinforced as the physiological changes in neonates are immediately visible with bag and mask ventilation. The proclivity to perform suction initially delays ventilation, and suction is rarely clinically indicated. Keeping skilled midwives in labor wards is important and impacts clinical practice. The midwives interviewed articulated a mindset of unequivocal commitment to the baby for one Golden Minute®. Heavy workload, frequent staff rotation and lack of clean working equipment were other barriers identified that are worthy of future research. CONCLUSIONS: Training in resuscitation skills in a simulated environment alone is not enough to change clinical practice. Active guidance of "HOT" real-life emergency resuscitation events builds confidence, as the visible signs of successful resuscitation impact the midwife's beliefs and behaviors. Furthermore, a focused commitment by midwives working together to reduce birth asphyxia-related deaths builds hope and collective self-efficacy.

Influence of social interactions, professional supports and fear of death on adults' preferences for life-sustaining treatments and palliative care.

AIM: To explore the significance of culture, professional support in the community, social interactions and intrapersonal determinants of adults' preferences for life-sustaining treatments and palliative care. METHODS: A cross-sectional design with a Social Ecological Model was used. Between 1 October 2012 and 31 December 2012, 474 adults aged ≥20 years living in a city of Southern Taiwan completed the survey. Data were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: The life-sustaining measures model was significant with 15.3% (p < 0.0001) of the variance in the Modified Emmanuel Medical Directives being explained by variables of death of self and healthcare services' support. The palliative care model was significant with 18% (p < 0.0001) of the variance in the Modified Hospice Attitude Scale being explained by variables of palliative care knowledge, death of self and social interactions. However, cultural value adherence did not predict adults' preferences for life-sustaining measures and community resources support did not predict palliative care preference. CONCLUSIONS: Findings enhance our understanding of the significance of different societal levels on adults' preferences for end-of-life care. Palliative care knowledge, fear of death, healthcare services' support and social interactions are essential factors that need to be taken into consideration when it comes to discussion about life-sustaining treatments and palliative care.

Engaging consumers and health professionals in collaborative decision-making to optimize care.

Shared communication and collaborative decision-making between consumers and health professionals is essential in optimizing the quality of consumer care. However, the consumers' ability to ask questions and seek answers, as well as health professionals' communication skills to engage with the consumer, are necessary considerations for the collaborative decision-making process. This quality improvement initiative sought to understand the context of collaborative decision making from the perspective of consumers and health professionals adapted from the international Choosing Wisely program. Findings indicated health professionals acknowledged a problem with unnecessary and overuse of tests, treatments, and procedures. Consumers suggested they were confident asking questions about their health and care. The findings of this study highlight collaborative decision-making as a worthwhile and beneficial undertaking.

Applying the Ottawa Charter to guide resilience-building programs for health care organizations.

Resilience is situated at the core of the World Health Organization European policy framework for health and well-being and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Resilience refers to how effectively a person, group, or system deals with and recovers from challenging situations. In this paper resilience refers to the capacity of a health care professional to manage complex issues and adapt to situations successfully. This brief paper provides explicit knowledge for strengthening personal resilience in health care using the Ottawa Charter framework as a guide. Developing a resilient health care workforce should address all five Ottawa Charter areas of action, should involve multiple stakeholders, and should incorporate resilience strategies into everyday health care activities. The paper presents recommendations for future programs designed to build a resilient workforce that can provide high quality care in a sustainable manner.

Involuntary Patient Assessment in Australia: A Mental Health or Public Health Response?

Involuntary assessment relates to detaining and transporting a person at risk of harming themselves or others, and without their consent, to hospital for examination and treatment. State and Territory statutory authorities generally allow police, paramedics and/or health practitioners to initiate involuntary assessment. Because of the stigma attached to mental illness, and to protect people from harming themselves or others in broader circumstances than mental illness alone, the Queensland government changed involuntary assessment powers. Instead of mental health legislation governing involuntary assessment in Queensland, this is now a public health function. Despite the best intentions, the public health legislation does not address some of the practical challenges of involuntary assessment for health practitioners. This article explores the evolution of involuntary assessment powers in Australia and considers the impacts of it becoming a public health power in Queensland.

Thirty-day readmission, length of stay and self-management behaviour among patients with acute coronary syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A scoping review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To summarise the current evidence on comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) related to 30-day readmission and hospital length of stay (LOS) among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and evidence on the effectiveness of self-management programmes for patients with both conditions. BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndrome and T2DM remain two major diseases leading to serious consequences. Thirty-day readmission and LOS were considered indicators of the quality of care, with the understanding that the potential significant effects of these outcomes could be varied. DESIGN: This scoping review followed the methodology described by Arksey and O'Malley. METHODS: Five databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL were searched, and a total of 20 articles involving 913,807 patients were included. Results were reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. RESULTS: The results indicated that patients with both ACS and T2DM have prolonged LOS and increased 30-day readmission rates. The findings supported that improvements in patient self-management behaviour for optimal health outcomes were partially successful by effective self-management programmes; however, few articles on intervention programmes specifically designed for patients with two conditions were found. CONCLUSION: Prolonged LOS and increased 30-day readmission rates are found among patients with ACS and T2DM. Based on few pilot studies building on each other, the effectiveness of self-management programmes in promoting self-care behaviour, self-efficacy and knowledge for patients with ACS and T2DM cannot be concluded. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Findings from this review provide valuable information on and a better understanding of readmissions and LOS among patients with ACS and T2DM for healthcare providers. Future developments and implementations of effective self-management programmes should target patients with dual diagnoses to improve health behaviour and reduce readmission and LOS.

Effects of combined aerobic and resistance training in patients with heart failure: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.

Cardiac rehabilitation programs consisting of core features of exercise training for patients with heart failure have demonstrated a wide range of physical and psychological benefits. In study, a meta-analysis of combined aerobic and resistance training was conducted on various outcomes in patients with heart failure. Database searches included EMBASE, PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, OVID, and CINAHL. Only randomized, controlled trials were included. Review Manager 5.3 software was used to perform the meta-analysis. In total, 12 studies and 516 patients were included. The results demonstrated that combined aerobic and resistance training is effective in promoting exercise capacity, muscle strength, and 6 min walk distance. Furthermore, combined training significantly improves the quality of life of patients with heart failure. However, there was no significant difference found for outcomes of depression and sleep. Future studies with rigorous methodological designs and long-term follow ups are recommended to evaluate the sustainable benefits of combined aerobic and resistance intervention programs.

The impact of inpatient education on self-management for patients with acute coronary syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study in China.

This study examined the impact of inpatient education on diabetes knowledge, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) symptom management and diabetes self-management on discharge for patients with ACS and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A cross-sectional survey and patient health record review of 160 patients was conducted in a major hospital in Shanghai. Patient education received was measured using a visual analogue scale. The survey included valid and reliable measures of diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, attitudes to ACS and clinical outcomes. Inpatient education contributed to improvements in fasting blood glucose on discharge (P < 0.05). ACS symptom management [Chinese language version of the ACS response index (C-ACSRI) scores] and self-management of T2DM [Chinese version of diabetes management self-efficacy scale (C-DMSES) scores] on discharge differed for the limited education group and sufficient education group (P < 0.001). Based on the multiple regression analyses, increasing scores for the C-ASCRI and C-DMSES could be explained by higher scores for perceived health education. Education relating to ACS and T2DM delivered during an acute admission was associated with improved scores in ACS symptom management and T2DM self-management, preparing some patients to manage both conditions on discharge.

Effectiveness of the cardiac-diabetes transcare program: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This paper presents a protocol for a randomised controlled trial of the Cardiac-Diabetes Transcare program which is a transitional care, multi-modal self-management program for patients with acute coronary syndrome comorbid with type 2 diabetes. Prior research has indicated people hospitalised with dual cardiac and diabetes diagnoses are at an elevated risk of hospital readmissions, morbidity and mortality. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness (and cost-effectiveness) of a Cardiac-Diabetes Transcare intervention program on 6-month readmission rate in comparison to usual care. METHODS/DESIGN: A two-armed, randomised controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment will be conducted to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of two modes of care, including a Usual Care Group and a Cardiac-Diabetes Transcare Intervention (in addition to usual care) Group. The primary outcome is 6-month readmission rate, although a range of secondary outcomes will be collected (including self-efficacy) at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 month reassessments. The intervention group will receive in-hospital education tailored for people recovering from an acute coronary syndrome-related hospital admission who have comorbid diabetes, and they will also receive home visits and telephone follow-up by a trained Research Nurse to reinforce and facilitate disease-management-related behaviour change. Both groups will receive usual care interventions offered or referred from participating hospital facilities. A sample size of 432 participants from participating hospitals in the Australian states of Queensland and Victoria will be recruited for 90% power based on the most conservative scenarios modelled for sample size estimates. DISCUSSION: The study outlined in this protocol will provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of a transitional care intervention targeted for people admitted to hospital with cardiac-related presentations commencing in the inpatient hospital setting and transition to the home environment. The purpose of theory-based intervention comprising face-to-face sessions and telephone follow up for patients with acute coronary syndrome and type 2 diabetes is to increase self-efficacy to enhance self-management behaviours and thus improve health outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study has been registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry dated 16/12/2014: ACTRN12614001317684 .

Cardiac-diabetes self-management program for Australians and Taiwanese: A randomized blocked design study.

Cardiac disease and type 2 diabetes are prevalent diseases globally. Cardiac rehabilitation and diabetes self-management programs empower patients' self-management to improve their health outcomes. However, inappropriate delivery modes and continuing low participation rates indicate some programs are less than optimal. A previous study demonstrated the feasibility of incorporating telephone and text messages into a cardiac-diabetes self-management program in Australia; however, the program did not specifically address patients' cultural backgrounds. This current study used a randomized blocked design to evaluate short-term efficacy of the cardiac-diabetes self-management program incorporating telephone and text-messaging across different cultural contexts in Australia and Taiwan in comparison to usual care. No significant differences between groups were observed for outcomes of self-care behavior, self efficacy, knowledge and health-related quality of life, with patients in both groups demonstrating improvements. Patient-reported outcomes indicated some evidence of an interaction effect between country of origin and group allocation. Findings indicated an improved tendency of outcome measures between the baseline and follow-up assessments within usual care and intervention groups. Further research is required to clarify components of the program work for each cultural group.

Factors impacting early mobilization according to the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery guideline following gastrointestinal surgery: A prospective study.

AIM: Evidence shows that early mobilization according to the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery guideline promotes postoperative recovery in gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. However, compliance with the guideline in clinical settings remains low. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing early mobilization after surgery. METHODS: A prospective research design was used. Data from 470 patients with gastrointestinal cancer who underwent gastrointestinal surgery between February 2021 and July 2022 were collected. RESULTS: More than half (53.6%) of the patients met the criteria for early mobilization. Females (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-2.29), age 〉70 years (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.09-2.86), low level of education (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.12-3.95), and ≥4 catheters (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.25-2.76) were barriers to early mobilization. CONCLUSIONS: Sex, age, education, and the number of catheters were found to be significant factors associated with non-early mobilization after gastrointestinal surgery. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 234-239.

Protocol for a randomised blocked design study using telephone and text-messaging to support cardiac patients with diabetes: a cross cultural international collaborative project.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising internationally. Patients with diabetes have a higher risk of cardiovascular events accounting for substantial premature morbidity and mortality, and health care expenditure. Given healthcare workforce limitations, there is a need to improve interventions that promote positive self-management behaviours that enable patients to manage their chronic conditions effectively, across different cultural contexts. Previous studies have evaluated the feasibility of including telephone and Short Message Service (SMS) follow up in chronic disease self-management programs, but only for single diseases or in one specific population. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and short-term efficacy of incorporating telephone and text messaging to support the care of patients with diabetes and cardiac disease, in Australia and in Taiwan. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial design will be used to evaluate a self-management program for people with diabetes and cardiac disease that incorporates the use of simple remote-access communication technologies. A sample size of 180 participants from Australia and Taiwan will be recruited and randomised in a one-to-one ratio to receive either the intervention in addition to usual care (intervention) or usual care alone (control). The intervention will consist of in-hospital education as well as follow up utilising personal telephone calls and SMS reminders. Primary short term outcomes of interest include self-care behaviours and self-efficacy assessed at baseline and four weeks. DISCUSSION: If the results of this investigation substantiate the feasibility and efficacy of the telephone and SMS intervention for promoting self management among patients with diabetes and cardiac disease in Australia and Taiwan, it will support the external validity of the intervention. It is anticipated that empirical data from this investigation will provide valuable information to inform future international collaborations, while providing a platform for further enhancements of the program, which has potential to benefit patients internationally. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN 12611001196932.

Adults' perspectives of experiences and preferences for end-of-life care.

BACKGROUND: Decisions about end-of-life care often raise clinical and ethical challenges, especially when the person's capacity to contribute in the decision making at the end of life is limited. AIM: This study aimed to explore Taiwanese adults' preferences associated with communication, healthcare planning, life-sustaining treatments and palliative care and experiences of end-of-life care. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 adults aged 20 years and above. The sampling approach was a convenience strategy in a community centre located in a metropolitan area in the Southern region of Taiwan. A qualitative content analysis approach was used to elicit key themes from the data. RESULTS: Significant findings related to the two main themes of adults' experiences, including the observed distress of those who were dying and the distress experienced by the family. Other key findings pertain to personal preferences for end-of-life care, such as preferred end-of-life communication, preparing for the end-of-life and maintenance of quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory study offers insight into 16 Taiwanese community-dwelling adults' views of preferences regarding end-of-life communication, preparation for the end of life and maintenance of quality of life, as well as their experiences of end-of-life care. A further exploration is suggested to elicit how personal end-of-life experiences shape individuals' health practices in advance care planning for end-of-life care.

The impact of COVID-19 on Australian clinicians' decision making in line with the principles of Choosing Wisely.

AIM: To explore the perspectives of clinicians' decision-making processes and considerations in line with the Choosing Wisely principles during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: An exploratory qualitative approach was used. METHODS: Data were collected via semi-structured interviews to encourage participants to discuss their own experience in making clinical decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 12 clinicians from across disciplines were interviewed to reach data saturation. Interview data were analysed considering the Choosing Wisely principles. RESULTS: Five main themes as they relate to clinician decision-making emerged and included; prioritizing care and treatment, uncertainty regarding best practice as a result of rapidly changing guidelines, organizational challenges to clinical decision-making, the use of telehealth and enabling consumer engagement with health services. CONCLUSION: Despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, clinicians were mindful of necessary care and worked to ensure that core care was not compromised during the first wave of the pandemic. The need for clinicians to protect both their own safety and that of their colleagues arose as an additional factor that influenced clinicians' decision-making process during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Self-confidence in clinical skill: A descriptive study of the perspective of first-year nursing students.

AIM: The aims of this study were to: 1) identify the clinical skills that students self-identified as being important for preparing for their first-year clinical practicum and 2) explore first-year students' self-confidence when practising these self-identified skills. BACKGROUND: First year clinical preparation courses in an undergraduate nursing curriculum are important for students to develop their self-confidence to prepare for their clinical placement experience. DESIGN: A descriptive study design, using a digital workbook, was used to anonymously collect data from first year nursing students at a regional Queensland university. METHODS: Participants were requested to: 1) self-identify clinical psychomotor skills that were practised in the first-year nursing laboratories; and 2) to rate their confidence with these skills. RESULTS: Seven key practice areas: medication, manual handling, wound management, respiratory care, cardiac care, vital signs and infant care, were identified by participants as important to prepare for clinical practicum. Australian first-year nursing students being able to articulate psychomotor skills important for their initial clinical practicum maybe relevant to and inform nurse education internationally. Participants rated their self-confidence positively across these practice areas. CONCLUSION: This study highlights that first-year nursing students can articulate nursing practice skills that are important for their clinical practice.

A multimodal approach to improve asthmatic adolescents' self-efficacy in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: An efficient asthma self-management for adolescents must be based on adolescents' needs, increase self-efficacy and adherence to treatment. The effects of such program are likely be dose dependent. AIM: To examine the impact of the dose-effect of multiple components on an asthma self-management program for adolescents aged 12-18 years in Taiwan. METHODS: A scoring system was developed to classify intervention groups into high- (19-23), medium- (11-18) and low (< 11) dose according to the number of components completed by participants. The impacts of the dose level on outcomes of asthma self-efficacy, prevention behaviors, asthma medication adherence, and asthma symptoms were examined. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a high dose of the intervention can improve adolescents' self-efficacy, asthma prevention behavior, and medication adherence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial Registration No: ACTRN12613001294741.

Air, Air, Air: a champion midwife programme in Tanzania using HOT neonatal resuscitation-lessons learned.

BACKGROUND: Tanzania has approximately 40 000 newborn deaths per year, with >25% of these linked to intrapartum-related hypoxia. The Helping Babies Breathe© and Golden minute© (HBB©) programme was developed to teach skilled intervention for non-breathing neonates at birth. While Helping Babies Breathe© and Golden minute©, providing training in simulated bag and mask ventilation, is theoretically successful in the classroom, it often fails to transfer to clinical practice without further support. Furthermore, the proclivity of midwives to suction excessively as a first-line intervention is an ingrained behaviour that delays ventilation, contributing to very early neonatal deaths. METHODS: The 'champion' programme provided guided instruction during a real-life resuscitation. The site was Amana Hospital, Tanzania. The labour ward conducts 13 500 deliveries annually, most of which are managed by midwives. Brief mannikin simulation practice was held two to three times a week followed by bedside hands-on training (HOT) of bag and mask skills and problem solving while reinforcing the mantra of 'air, air, air' as the first-line intervention during a real-life emergency. RESULTS: Champion midwives (trainers) guided instructions given during a real emergency at the bedside caused learners beliefs to change. Trainees observed changes in baby skin colour and the onset of spontaneous breathing after effective ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Visible success during an actual real-life emergency created confidence, mastery and collective self-efficacy.

Development and pilot test of a peer-support based Cardiac-Diabetes Self-Management Program: a study protocol.

BACKGROUND: People with cardiac disease and type 2 diabetes have higher hospital readmission rates (22%) compared to those without diabetes (6%). Self-management is an effective approach to achieve better health outcomes; however there is a lack of specifically designed programs for patients with these dual conditions. This project aims to extend the development and pilot test of a Cardiac-Diabetes Self-Management Program incorporating user-friendly technologies and the preparation of lay personnel to provide follow-up support. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial will be used to explore the feasibility and acceptability of the Cardiac-Diabetes Self-Management Program incorporating DVD case studies and trained peers to provide follow-up support by telephone and text-messaging. A total of 30 cardiac patients with type 2 diabetes will be randomised, either to the usual care group, or to the intervention group. Participants in the intervention group will received the Cardiac-Diabetes Self-Management Program in addition to their usual care. The intervention consists of three face-to-face sessions as well as telephone and text-messaging follow up. The face-to-face sessions will be provided by a trained Research Nurse, commencing in the Coronary Care Unit, and continuing after discharge by trained peers. Peers will follow up patients for up to one month after discharge using text messages and telephone support. Data collection will be conducted at baseline (Time 1) and at one month (Time 2). The primary outcomes include self-efficacy, self-care behaviour and knowledge, measured by well established reliable tools. DISCUSSION: This paper presents the study protocol of a randomised controlled trial to pilot evaluates a Cardiac-Diabetes Self-Management program, and the feasibility of incorporating peers in the follow-ups. Results of this study will provide directions for using such mode in delivering a self-management program for patients with both cardiac condition and diabetes. Furthermore, it will provide valuable information of refinement of the intervention program. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12611000086965.