Increased family psychosocial focus during children's developmental assessments: a study of parents' views.

BACKGROUND: Family psychosocial challenges during the early years of a child's life are associated with later mental and physical health problems for the child. An increased psychosocial focus on parents in routine child developmental assessments may therefore be justified. METHODS: Participants in this qualitative study included 11 mothers and one parental couple (mother and father) with children aged 9-23 months. Participants were recruited to Project Family Wellbeing through their general practice in Denmark. Twelve interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed with a deductive approach. The topic guide drew on the core components of the Health Belief Model, which also served as a framework for the coding that was conducted using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Results are presented in four themes and 11 subthemes in total. Parents welcome discussion of their psychosocial circumstances during their child's developmental assessments. Clinicians' initiatives to address psychosocial challenges and alignment of parents' and clinicians' expectations may be required to allow this discussion. A flowing conversation, an open communication style and a trustful relationship facilitate psychosocial discussion. Barriers included short consultation time, concerns about how information was used and when parents found specific psychosocial aspects stigmatising or irrelevant to discuss. CONCLUSION: Enquiry about the family's psychosocial circumstances in routine developmental assessments is acceptable among parents. Alignment of clinical and parental expectations of developmental assessments could facilitate the process. Future research should examine the predictive validity of the various components of developmental assessments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This is a qualitative study. The study participants are part of the cohort from Project Family Wellbeing (FamilieTrivsel). The project's trial registry number: NCT04129359. Registered October 16th 2019.

Collaboration between general practitioners and health visitors about children of concern in Denmark: a qualitative study.

Primary health care services are responsible for preventive measures to optimize child development in the first years of life. In Denmark, these services are shared between general practitioners and municipality health visitors. National guidelines mandate collaboration between these professionals but in reality, they work in parallel. We aimed to explore how professionals experience collaboration and communication regarding children with professional concern about their wellbeing. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted with general practitioners, and health visitors. Both professions considered closer collaboration to be important in meeting children's needs. Barriers to collaboration and communication included differing legal obligations, Information Technology-systems (IT), lack of financial incentives, lack of mutual professional acknowledgment and respect, and absence of routines for sharing knowledge. The traditional division of responsibilities between physicians and nurses in which all professionals involved in preventive child health care are acculturated seems to impede collaboration based on unequal professional status. IT infrastructure needs to support information sharing and structures to support informal meetings between professionals are warranted to support more collaborative practice.

Factors promoting and impeding efforts to deprescribe antidepressants among nursing home residents with dementia- a process evaluation guided by normalization process theory.

BACKGROUND: Despite recommendations against psychotropic medication in older nursing homes residents with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), antidepressants and other psychotropic drugs are still prescribed. We performed a cluster-randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of a complex intervention aiming to promote the deprescribing of antidepressants in institutionalized older persons with dementia. To understand the underlying mechanisms of trial outcomes, we conducted a process evaluation exploring the interventions implementation, areas of impact, and contextual factors. The aim of this study was to explore the implementation process and the key factors that promoted and inhibited intervention implementation in the care home setting (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04985305. Registered 30 July 2021). METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted between August 2022 and February 2023 with four general practitioners and eight nursing home staff from four associated nursing homes in the Capital Region of Denmark. We coded the interview data according to the four constructs of the Normalization Process Theory (coherence, cognitive participation, collective action, and reflexive monitoring). RESULTS: There was a common understanding of the intervention aim. We observed a raised awareness concerning the deprescription of antidepressants among healthcare professionals with good collaboration (coherence). An overall buy-in to a deprescribing mentality was seen (cognitive participation). There were barriers to the GPs and nursing home staff's use of the intervention elements and how they implemented it, but to some, a common language was created (collective action). Professionals overall valued the idea of deprescribing, but lack of time, high staff turnover, and low education level among nursing home staff hampered the integration (reflexive monitoring). CONCLUSION: Successful implementation seemed to be dependent on the quality of the relationship between the single GP and the single nursing home professional. A common deprescribing mentality promoted the uptake of the intervention. However, several barriers related to lack of resources hindered implementation. It is imperative to adapt complex interventions to the available resources and context.

Critical reading of qualitative research articles.

Qualitative studies are adept at exploring individuals' routines, practices, thoughts, and values, as well as interaction and collaboration. As a doctor, you encounter qualitative research questions daily: Why do patients hesitate to follow recommendations? How do doctors broach sensitive topics with patients? How do fellow physicians experience cross-sector collaboration? This review provides a quick guide to qualitative studies, covering research question formulation, data collection, analysis, and transparency criteria. We critically assess a qualitative study on chronic disease management.

Implementing PCR testing in general practice-a qualitative study using normalization process theory.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to a need for rapid testing of large populations. Experiences from community-based testing settings show that there can be workload difficulties, logistical challenges and socioeconomic downsides to large scale Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing. Alternative testing arenas have therefore been considered. Rapid point-of-care (POC) PCR test methods have since been developed and could have potential to surveille viral respiratory infections. It is, however, unknown if PCR testing can be successfully implemented routinely in general practice. The aim of this study was to assess factors that enable and inhibit the implementation of point-of-care PCR testing for acute respiratory tract infection in general practice. METHODS: Fourteen general practices in the east Zealand area in Denmark were included in the study and given access to POC PCR testing equipment during a flu season. The participating clinics were initially trained in the use of a POC PCR testing device and then spent 6 weeks testing it. We conducted qualitative interviews with general practitioners (GPs) and their staff, before and after the testing period, specifically focusing on their clinical decision-making and internal collaboration in relation to POC PCR testing. We used normalization process theory to design the interview guides and to analyze the data. RESULTS: Professionals reported no clinical need for a POC PCR testing device in a non-pandemic clinical setting. Results were delivered faster, but this was only timesaving for the patient and not the GP, who had to perform more tasks. CONCLUSION: In its current form, the added diagnostic value of using POC PCR testing in general practice was not sufficient for the professionals to justify the increased work connected to the usage of the diagnostic procedure in daily practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: n/a.

Psychosocial consequences of weight screening of school-age children - a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Weight-screening children in schools is an ingrained part of preventive health programmes worldwide. Even though there is no evidence that weight monitoring in the context of preventive health work prevents weight gain, evidence indicates that a focus on weight among children may negatively impact mental health. We aimed to review the existing literature on potential psychosocial consequences of routine weighing and weight feedback in school-aged children. METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed in four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts and CINAHL) and included all original studies investigating psychological or social consequences of routine weighing or weight feedback in school-aged children. Data extracted from all included studies were coded thematically and summarised considering the nature of the effect on psychosocial outcomes. RESULTS: Six studies were included in this review. They were heterogeneous regarding aim and study design. Negative consequences included decreased weight satisfaction, increased weight focus and frequency of peer weight talk, over sensitisation about weight and emotional distress and discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: The literature in the field was sparse and heterogeneous. Even so, the literature indicated that routine weighing and weight feedback resulted in harmful psychosocial consequences for some children. Unfavourable effects primarily seemed to affect children with a high BMI, whereas children categorised as normal weight seemed to have mainly positive or neutral experiences.

First-time mothers' experiences with a web-intervention on maternal mentalisation and mental health.

INTRODUCTION: Development in infancy and early childhood affects mental and physical health later in life. Maternal mental health and attachment between mother and child are important for a healthy development. This qualitative study explored first-time mothers' experiences with a web-based intervention aimed at improving maternal mentalisation skills and mental health, thereby affecting child development. METHODS: Twelve first-time mothers were interviewed about their experiences using the website. RESULTS: During pregnancy, the mothers were positive towards using the web-intervention to find information and support for emotional challenges related to the transition to motherhood. However, the interest decreased after giving birth. The mothers requested a website that covered both physical and mental aspects of motherhood and provided a possibility for mothers to exchange experiences to normalise challenges. Moreover, they wanted the website to be easily accessible on a smartphone. CONCLUSION: First-time mothers experienced a need for emotional support during their transition to motherhood and were positive towards using online solutions to obtain this support. In order to be integrated into mothers' everyday life, the intervention should be an 'all-in-one' solution, covering both physical and mental aspects of motherhood and infancy, include a chat forum and be easily accessible by smartphone app. FUNDING: TRYG Foundation and KEU, Capital Region of Denmark. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not relevant.

Uptake of signposting to web-based resources: pregnant women's use of a preventive web-based intervention.

BACKGROUND: Signposting to web-based interventions is becoming increasingly popular in primary care. Most resources are focused on individuals with clinical problems, but less is known about the uptake of general practice (GP) signposted web-based interventions. GPs in Denmark are responsible for scheduled preventive care during pregnancy and the child's first five years. In the "Family Well-being in General Practice" trial the web-based intervention "Resilientchild.dk" is introduced at these consultations. Resilientchild.dk is designed to improve the capacity of parents to understand the mental state of themselves, their partners, and their children. In this study we assess the uptake and use of this web-based intervention. OBJECTIVE: To describe participant and practice characteristics associated with the use of a web-based psychoeducational intervention. Eligible participants were pregnant women presenting at their first antenatal assessment, usually around 6-10 gestational weeks. METHODS: The study was nested in a cluster randomised trial of resilientchild.dk. We conducted a relative importance analysis, which allows for determination of the variables most strongly associated with website use. To assess the direction and magnitude of the influences of the identified variables, we applied multinomial generalized linear mixed modelling. A practice random effect allows us to account for clustering of women within practices. RESULTS: Parity and the absence of a nurse or midwife in the practice were important factors driving a decrease in the likelihood of using resilientchild.dk. Being a student or living outside the capital city were important factors driving an increase in the likelihood of using resilientchild.dk. CONCLUSION: The data offer unique opportunities to assess the utilisation of a web-based mental health-promotion intervention following advice from a clinician. This study draws conclusions about which patients are likely to access similar resources and which practice characteristics encourage their use. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered in clinicaltrials.gov, Trial number: NCT04129359 Date of registration: 16/10/2019 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04129359 ).

Factors in early pregnancy predicting pregnancy-related pain in the second and third trimester.

INTRODUCTION: Pain during pregnancy affects women's well-being, causes worry and is a risk factor for the child and the mother during labor. The aim was to investigate the relative importance of an extensive set of pregnancy-related physiological symptoms and psychosocial factors assessed in the first trimester compared with the occurrence of pregnancy-related pain symptoms later in the pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Included were all women who booked an appointment for a first prenatal visit in one of 125 randomly selected general practitioner practices in Eastern Denmark from April 2015 to August 2016. These women answered an electronic questionnaire containing questions on the occurrence of five pregnancy-related pain symptoms: back pain, leg cramps, pelvic cavity pain, pelvic girdle pain and uterine contractions. The questionnaire also included sociodemographic questions and questions on chronic diseases, physical symptoms, mental health symptoms, lifestyle and reproductive background. The questionnaire was repeated in each trimester. The relative importance of this set of factors from the first trimester on the five pregnancy-related pain symptoms compared with the second and third trimesters was assessed in a dominance analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1491 women were included. The most important factor for pregnancy-related pain in the second trimester and third trimester is the presence of the corresponding pain in the first trimester. Parity was associated with pelvic cavity pain and uterine contractions in the following pregnancies. For back pain and pelvic cavity pain, the odds increased as the women's estimated low self-assessed fitness decreased and had low WHO-5 wellbeing scores. CONCLUSIONS: When including physical risk factors, sociodemographic factors, psychological factors and clinical risk factors, women's experiences of pregnancy-related pain in the first trimester are the most important predictors for pain later in pregnancy. Beyond the expected positive effects of pregnancy-related pain, notably self-assessed fitness, age and parity were predictive for pain later in pregnancy.

A critical examination of Danish norms for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to describe observed differences between the official Danish Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)-norms and data from a sample based on the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) including children born between 1996 and 2003. We compared the risk classification, cut-off bandings and the group sizes between the Danish norms and the values found in our sample at ages 7, 11 and 18 years. RESULTS: Two sets of norms are used in Denmark: Arnfred's norms, based on a sample from one single Danish municipality and Niclasen's norms, based on multiple Danish cohorts, including the DNBC. Inconsistencies were found between banding scores in the two existing norms and the banding scores identified in our sample from DNBC: discrepancies included banding scores for several of the problem scales for children and preadolescents. For adolescents, we found less apparent inconsistencies between Arnfred's sample and the DNBC. Results demonstrate that the existing SDQ norms do not apply well to a large-scale cohort sample in Denmark. The usefulness of the SDQ as a screening instrument for mental health problems depends on appropriate norms. We therefore urge that the current Danish SDQ norms are used with caution, and preferably they should be revised.

Clinicians' experiences in signposting an online mental health resource to expectant mothers: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Poor maternal mental well-being and a lack of secure parent-infant attachment, have been identified as important factors associated with adverse mental health outcomes later in a child's life. Interventions designed to care for maternal mental well-being during pregnancy and early parenthood, are therefore likely to support healthy child development. Mentalization is a skill parents can practice, improving the emotional bond to the child, offering insights into their own and the child's mental states and potentially improving parental mental well-being. Most pregnant women in Denmark schedule antenatal consultations in general practice, potentially offering a solid platform to promote web-based interventions aiming to enhance mentalization skills. Signposting towards online resources has several advantages including high accessibility, ease of distribution and cost-effectiveness. We aimed to explore the attitudes and experiences of clinicians in general practice in signposting women towards a web-intervention to increase parental mentalization skills. METHODS: The intervention was offered to pregnant women at their primary preventive antenatal consultation in Danish general practice around week eight of pregnancy, and was designed to be incorporated into the following antenatal- and pediatric consultations until the child's second birthday. Semi-structured interviews about clinicians' experiences with signposting the intervention were conducted with 11 general practitioners (GP), three practice midwives (MW) and one practice nurse (NR). RESULTS: Clinicians wanted to enhance the focus on mental well-being in pregnancy and early childhood during preventive consultations. The main barriers to signposting the web-program were decreasing motivation over time, lack of financial viability and time limitations. Utilizing a psychoeducational web-intervention was generally accepted by clinicians, but ideally not carried out solely in general practice. CONCLUSION: Signposting web-programs to improve parental mentalization skills can be welcomed by clinicians in general practice but need to be more tailored to suit the everyday workflow of the clinics. Addressing parental mentalization remains largely unchartered territory for pregnant women and clinicians alike, therefore training clinicians on the subject and its presentation should be offered. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is part of a larger project that has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee at the University of Copenhagen, Nov. 2019 (reference number 504-0111/19-5000).

Evaluation of the Danish version of the prenatal parental reflective functioning questionnaire in early pregnancy as a screening tool.

Parental reflective functioning (PRF) is the capacity to focus on feelings and experiences in oneself as a parent and in the child. Research has demonstrated that, the better the PRF the better outcomes for the child. This paper evaluated the Danish version of the prenatal parental reflective functioning questionnaire (P-PRFQ). We used data from a cluster-randomized trial of pregnant women recruited from Danish general practice. The sample included 605 mothers. Factor structure and internal consistency were investigated. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the associations between the P-PRFQ score and the five most predictive variables. The confirmatory factor analyses supported the three-factor model. The P-PRFQ had moderate internal consistency. The regression analysis showed a decrease in the P-PRFQ score with increasing age, increasing parity, current employment, better self-reported health, lower anxiety score, and fewer negative life events with persistent impact. The directions of the associations between P-PRFQ score and the predictive variables were opposite of what was hypothesized raising questions about whether the P-PRFQ can be used as an early pregnancy screening tool assessing prenatal PRF. Further validation studies are required to assess the extent to which the P-PRFQ truly measures reflective functioning.

El funcionamiento con reflexión de los padres es la capacidad de enfocarse en sentimientos y experiencias en uno mismo como progenitor y en el niño. La investigación ha demostrado que mientras mejor es el funcionamiento con reflexión, mejores son los resultados para el niño. Este ensayo evalúa la versión danesa del cuestionario prenatal del funcionamiento con reflexión de los progenitores (P-PRFQ). Usamos datos de un ensayo con un grupo al azar de mujeres embarazadas reclutadas de la práctica general danesa. El grupo muestra estaba compuesto de 605 madres. Se investigaron la estructura de factores y la consistencia interna. Se usaron análisis de regresión lineal para examinar la asociación entre los puntajes del P-PRFQ y las cinco variables más predictivas. Los análisis de factores confirmatorios apoyaron el modelo de tres factores. El P-PRFQ presentó una consistencia interna moderada. Los análisis de regresión mostraron una baja en los puntajes del P-PRFQ con el aumento de la edad, el aumento de la paridad, el empleo actual, una mejor auto reportada salud, más bajo puntaje de ansiedad y menos eventos negativos en la vida con impacto persistente. Las direcciones de las asociaciones entre el puntaje del P-PRFQ y las variables predictivas resultaros lo opuesto de la hipótesis propuesta, lo cual genera preguntas sobre si se puede usar el P-PRFQ como una herramienta de examen temprano del embarazo para evaluar el funcionamiento con reflexión prenatal de los progenitores. Se requieren estudios posteriores de validación para evaluar hasta qué punto el P-PRFQ mide verdaderamente el funcionamiento con reflexión.

La fonction réflexive parentale est la capacité à se focaliser sur ses propres sentiments et ses expériences en tant que parent et chez l'enfant. Les recherches ont démontré que mieux fonctionne la fonction réflexive parentale, mieux s'avère le résultat pour l'enfant. Cet article a évalué la version danoise du questionnaire de la fonction réflexive parentale prénatale (P-PRFQ). Nous avons utilisé des données d'un essai randomisé par grappes de femmes enceintes recrutées dans un service de médecine générale au Danemark. L'échantillon a inclus 605 mères. La structure de facteur et la cohérence interne ont fait l'objet des recherches. Une analyse par régression linéaire a été utilisée afin d'examiner les liens entre le score P-PRFQ et les cinq variables les plus prédictives. Les analyses factorielles confirmatoires ont soutenu le modèle à trois facteurs. Le P-PRFQ a eu une cohérence internet. L'analyse par régression a montré une baisse dans le score P-PRFQ avec un âge plus avancé, une parité augmentée, un emploi courant, une meilleure santé auto-rapportée, un score d'anxiété plus bas et moins d'événements négatifs de la vie ayant un impact persistent. Les directions des liens entre le score P-PRFQ et les variables prédictives étaient à l'opposé de l'hypothèse, soulevant des questions sur si le P-PRFQ peut être utilisé en tant qu'outil de dépistage au début de la grossesse pour évaluer la fonction réflexive parentale prénatale. Des études de validation supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour évaluer dans quelle mesure le P-PRFQ mesure vraiment la fonction réflexive.

Increasing the chance of dying at home: roles, tasks and approaches of general practitioners enabling palliative care: a systematic review of qualitative literature.

BACKGROUND: Many elderly people wish to die at home but end up dying at the hospital. If the patient wishes to die at home, palliative care provided by General Practitioners (GPs) may increase the chance of dying at home, however, there is a lack of knowledge on how GPs should provide palliative care. We aimed to identify roles, tasks and approaches of GPs enabling palliative care, by exploring the experiences of GPs, other healthcare professionals, patients, and relatives through a systematic review of the qualitative literature. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and CINAHL in March 2022. Thematic analysis was used for synthesizing the results. RESULTS: Four thousand five hundred sixty three unique records were retrieved, and 12 studies were included for review. Of these, ten were interview or focus group studies and two were survey studies with additional open-ended questions. Only qualitative findings from the studies were used in synthesizing the results. Thematic analysis produced four main themes describing the roles, tasks and approaches of GPs enabling palliative care to increase the chance for patients to die at home. GPs can support patients in the final phases of life by applying a holistic, patient-centred, and proactive approach to palliative care and by having sufficient education and training. Furthermore, the palliative care consultation should include symptom management, handling psychosocial and spiritual needs, maintaining a fragile balance, and proper communication with the patient. Lastly, GPs must address several palliative care elements surrounding the consultation including initiating the palliative care, being available, being the team coordinator/collaborator, providing continuous care and having sufficient knowledge about the patient. CONCLUSIONS: The roles, tasks and approaches of the GPs enabling palliative care include being aware of elements in the palliative care consultation and elements surrounding the consultation and by having sufficient education and training and a broad, proactive, and patient-centred approach.

Association of self-reported mother-infant relationship with child and adolescent mental health.

BACKGROUND: The quality of the relationship between mother and infant may have profound implications for the development of a child. Early indicators of psychological vulnerability may allow targeting of support for the child's cognitive, emotional and social development. A challenging mother-infant relationship could be one indicator of risk. AIMS: This study examined variations in psychological well-being and psychopathology among boys and girls according to early maternal perception of the mother-infant relationship. METHOD: This study is based on 64 663 mother-infant pairs from the Danish National Birth Cohort, for which data on the mother-infant relationship were collected at 6 months postpartum. Behavioural problems were assessed with the Danish version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at child ages 7, 11 and 18 years, and we retrieved information on diagnosed childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders and prescriptions of psychotropic drugs from Danish registries. RESULTS: Children in the challenging mother-infant relationship group had higher odds of behavioural problems at age 7 among both boys and girls. The same pattern of elevated estimates was identified for boys across all SDQ domains and for girls in three of five SDQ domains. All associations were attenuated at age 18, but increased odds of behavioural problems still existed. A challenging early mother-infant relationship increased the offspring's risk of being diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder or being prescribed a psychotropic drug before the age of 18. CONCLUSION: A challenging self-reported mother-infant relationship was associated with later psychopathological difficulties. Routine clinical enquiry may be useful in identification of future vulnerability.

Family wellbeing in general practice: a study protocol for a cluster-randomised trial of the web-based resilience programme on early child development.

BACKGROUND: Social, emotional and behavioural problems in early childhood are associated with increased risk for a wide range of poor outcomes associated with substantial cost and impact on society as a whole. Some of these problems are rooted in the early mother-infant relationship and might be prevented. In Denmark, primary health care has a central role in preventive care during pregnancy and the first years of the child's life and general practice provides opportunities to promote a healthy mother-infant relationship in early parenthood. OBJECTIVE: In the context of standardised antenatal and child development assessments focused on psychosocial wellbeing, we examine the impact of a complex intervention designed to improve maternal mentalisation skills, involving training of general practice clinicians and signposting towards a web-based resource. Joint main outcomes are child socio-emotional and language development at age 30 months measured by parentally reported questionnaires (Communicative Development Inventory and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). METHODS: The study is a cluster-randomised controlled trial based in general practices in the Capital Region and the Zealand Region of Denmark. Seventy practices were included. Practices were randomised by a computer algorithm in a ratio of 1:1 to intervention or control groups. Each practice was asked to recruit up to 30 women consecutively at their first scheduled antenatal assessment. Clinicians in both groups received one day of training in preventive antenatal and child development consultations with added focus on parental psychosocial well-being, social support, and parent-child interaction. These preventive consultations delivered in both trial arms require enhanced data recording about psychosocial factors. In intervention clinics, clinicians were asked to signpost a web page at three scheduled antenatal consultations and at four scheduled consultations when the child is 5 weeks, 5 months, 1 and 2 years. DISCUSSION: We hypothesise that the intervention will increase mothers' ability to be sensitive to their child's mental state to an extent that improves the child's language and mental state at 30 months of age measured by parent-reported questionnaires. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04129359. Registered on Oct 16 2019.

Increasing the psychosocial focus in child developmental assessments: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated a need for increased psychosocial focus on children and their families to improve children's wellbeing and mental health. Child developmental assessments could be a place to implement changes to achieve this. A standardised record might be helpful to clinicians trying to increase psychosocial focus. The aim of this study is to investigate clinical barriers and facilitators when introducing standardised child records with increased focus on psychosocial wellbeing and mental health into child developmental assessments. METHODS: This is a qualitative study based on 12 semi-structured interviews with four midwives and nine doctors who carry out child developmental assessments in general practice. Data is analysed in the framework of Normalisation Process Theory. RESULTS: General practice-based clinicians were positive towards increasing the psychosocial focus in child developmental assessments. The main barriers when clinicians used the standardised child records were: feeling forced to ask certain questions, in turn making the conversation rigid; leaving less room for parents to bring up other issues; making clinicians feel awkward when addressing problems that they cannot solve; the need for extended consultation time; and medico-legal concerns when registering findings. The experience of positive aspects when using the standardised child records facilitated continuous use of the records. Positive aspects included having a standardised approach to recording important findings, thereby uncovering psychosocial problems that could potentially be overlooked. Additionally, structured observation of parent-child interaction and gaining a new vocabulary to describe the findings were valued by clinicians. Balancing a standardised approach with clinicians' ability to steer the consultation and explore topics in depth while preserving the potential for patients to bring up other issues became an important theme. CONCLUSION: Clinicians need to be well-equipped to handle psychosocial problems through coping strategies, referral options and communication techniques in the psychosocial domain. The parent-child-interaction assessment might expose potentially dysfunctional parenting behaviours and could improve communication between health professionals. Implementing standardised child development records with an increased psychosocial focus is feasible but improvements could optimise the use of the records. Parental views on an increased psychosocial focus during child developmental assessments should be investigated prior to further implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registry number for the FamilieTrivsel (Family Wellbeing) trial: NCT04129359.

The predictive value of common symptoms in early pregnancy for complications later in pregnancy and at birth.

INTRODUCTION: The aim was to investigate whether common pregnancy-related symptoms-nausea, vomiting, back pain, pelvic girdle pain, pelvic cavity pain, vaginal bleeding, itching of vulva, pregnancy itching, leg cramps, uterine contractions and varicose veins-in the first trimester of pregnancy add to the identification of women at high risk of future pregnancy and birth complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Survey data linked to national register data. All women booking an appointment for a first prenatal visit in one of 192 randomly selected General Practices in East Denmark in the period April 2015-August 2016. The General Practices included 1491 women to this prospective study. Two outcomes, pregnancy complications and birth complications, were collected from the Danish Medical Birth Register. RESULTS: Among the 1413 included women, 199 (14%) experienced complications in later pregnancy. The most serious complication, miscarriage, was experienced by 65 women (4.6%). Other common pregnancy complications were gestational diabetes mellitus (n = 11, 0.8%), gestational hypertension without proteinuria (n = 34, 2.4%), mild to moderate preeclampsia (n = 34, 2.4%) and gestational itching with effect on liver (n = 17, 1.2%). Women who experienced pelvic girdle pain, pelvic cavity pain or vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy had a higher risk of pregnancy complications later on in later pregnancy. None of the other examined symptoms showed associations to pregnancy complications. No associations were found between pregnancy-related physical symptoms in first trimester and birth complications. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms in early pregnancy do not add much information about the risk of pregnancy or birth complications, although pain and bleeding may give reason for some concern. This is an important message to women experiencing these common symptoms and to their caregivers.

Tailoring a complex intervention to reduce antidepressants in institutionalized older persons with dementia.

INTRODUCTION: First-line treatment for behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia is non-pharmacological. Still, psychotropic medication is widely used, despite its limited effect and harmful side-effects. More than half of all nursing home residents with dementia receive antidepressants, even though deprescribing is safe and feasible. Interventions to promote deprescribing of antidepressants in nursing homes are few and complex. To optimize the deprescribing process through an intervention, transparency for the development of the intervention is needed. We aim to describe the steps in the development and tailoring of an intervention targeting GPs, nursing home staff, and relatives to enhance collaboration on reducing the use of antidepressants in institutionalized older persons with dementia in Denmark. METHOD: A step-wise process guided by the core elements in the Medical Research Council constituted the tailoring process. Five steps were included; 1) a literature search, 2) interviews with stakeholders, 3) drafting the intervention prototype, 4) professionals' assessment of the intervention, and 5) refinement of the intervention. The steps were conducted from June 2020 to June 2022. RESULTS: Based on the literature search, interviews with stakeholders, and professionals' assessment of the intervention, four main themes were identified; 1) focusing on antidepressants, 2) importance of professional qualifications, 3) collaboration and communication, and 4) patient and relative involvement. They guided intervention development and refinement of the final intervention, which included 1) a case-based training course and 2) a dialog tool including a symptom assessment scale to be used in a structured consultation at the nursing home. CONCLUSION: This study presents a detailed account of the tailoring process for a complex intervention to optimize deprescribing of antidepressants for older persons with dementia at nursing homes. By presenting a thorough development process, we expect to achieve increased adherence to the intervention which is currently being tested in an ongoing cluster randomized controlled trial. The transparency of the process will also increase the future development of other similar complex interventions.

A cluster-randomized trial of a complex intervention to encourage deprescribing antidepressants in nursing home residents with dementia: a study protocol.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of psychotropic medication on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is limited, while associated with a higher risk of adverse events. Non-pharmacological treatment of BPSD is advocated as treatment of first choice. However, many general practitioners (GPs) find it difficult to initiate deprescribing, and when attempting to discontinue psychotropic medication in nursing home residents, they face many barriers. Therefore, we hypothesize that an intervention aimed at improving communication with and involvement of nursing home staff, relatives, and patients by GPs can optimize the pharmacological treatment of BPSD. The aim is to reduce the use of antidepressants in nursing home residents with dementia without increasing morbidity or mortality. OBJECTIVE: The primary outcome is reduction of antidepressant. Secondary outcomes include difference in use of other psychotropic medication, mortality, morbidity, and severity of BPSD. METHOD: The study is a cluster-randomized controlled trial based in general practices in Denmark. We aim to include 22 practices, each of which will recruit up to 15 patients with dementia living in nursing homes. The intervention period is 3 months, and the total study period is 1 year. Randomization is 1:1 to intervention and control group by computer algorithm. Both groups receive education on BPSD and its evidence-based treatment. The intervention includes three tailored components; (1) teaching material and training to be used by the GP to educate nursing home staff on BPSD, (2) a pre-visit reflection tool to encourage nursing home staff to evaluate symptoms and reflect on relatives involvement in the discontinuation process; and (3) a dialog tool to facilitate shared decision making on optimization of BPSD treatment during the visits at the nursing home. The control group includes enhanced care as usual. The primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at the end of the study period. A process evaluation will be conducted to assess the implementability. DISCUSSION: We anticipate that the intervention will optimize the treatment of BPSD with antidepressants for nursing homes residents and enhance compliance with reduction of medication. The process evaluation should provide insights into the barriers and facilitators to changing the current practice of deprescribing. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04985305 . Registered on 30 July 2021.

Mental well-being during stages of COVID-19 lockdown among pregnant women and new mothers.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and early motherhood are sensitive times where epidemic disease outbreaks can affect mental health negatively. Countries and health care systems handled the pandemic and lockdowns differently and knowledge about how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental well-being of pregnant women and new mothers is limited and points in different directions. AIM: To investigate symptoms of anxiety and depression in a population of pregnant women and new mothers in various stages of infection pressure and lockdown during the first 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark. METHODS: The study population was nested an inception cohort of women recruited in their first trimester of pregnancy. Data about mental health of the woman were obtained in relation to pregnancy and child development (first trimester, 8 weeks postpartum and 5 months postpartum), and data were analysed cross-sectionally according to calendar time (periods defined by infection rate and lock-down during the COVID-19 pandemic). RESULTS: No differences in reported levels of depressive symptoms between the six examined time periods of the pandemic were observed. Specifically, symptoms remained unchanged after the first lock-down. No major changes in anxiety symptoms were observed in relation to increased infection pressure or lockdowns, but a small increase was observed during the second lockdown in women 8 weeks postpartum. CONCLUSION: No clear change in mood among pregnant women was seen between during the stages of COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark.