Patients' Preferences Regarding Modes of Systemic Psoriasis Treatment - A Qualitative Study.

Background: Treatment with pathogenesis-directed biologics and oral systemic drugs have made complete clearance of psoriasis a realistic expectation for many patients with psoriasis. Patients' preferences among these treatments varies. Objective: To understand factors impacting psoriasis patients'preferences for injection vs oral medication. Methods: Psoriasis patients who receive systemic psoriasis treatment were asked to participate in a semi-structured interview. Sample size was based on achieving saturation with equal number of patients preferring oral vs injectable medications to ensure equal representation of both groups. Qualitative analysis was performed to interpret the results. Results: Twenty-two patients participated in the study, 12 males and 10 females. Ten patients were receiving oral medication (apremilast or methotrexate) and 12 patients were receiving injectables (guselkumab, adalimumab, risankizumab, secukinumab, ixekizumab, or tildrakizumab) due to self-reported preference. Five themes resulted from the analysis: patients receiving injectables more frequently discussed the positive impact of the medication on quality of life compared to patients on oral medication; fear of side effects, particularly fear of immunosuppression, is associated with injection medications; avoidance of needles drives patients away from injection medication and towards oral systemic medication; patients prioritize convenience when selecting systemic therapy, though the definition of convenience is subject to perception; and patients value the medication recommendation of the physician, regardless of the route of administration. Conclusion: Improving medication adherence and disease outcomes through individualized treatment plans, with an emphasis on patients' preferences using a shared decision-making approach, may be helpful.

Proximate and ultimate drivers of norms and norm change.

We describe a formal model of norm psychology that can be applied to better understand norm change. The model integrates several proximate drivers of normative behavior: beliefs and preferences about a) material payoffs, b) personal norms, c) peer disapproval, d) conformity, and e) authority compliance. Additionally, we review interdisciplinary research on ultimate foundations of these proximate drivers of normative behavior. Finally, we discuss opportunities for integration between the proposed formal framework and several psychological sub-fields.

Harnessing conformational drivers in drug design.

This review article explores the pivotal role of conformational drivers in the discovery of drug-like molecules and illustrates their significance through real-life examples. Understanding molecular conformation is paramount to drug hunting as it can impact on- and off-target potency, metabolism, permeability, and solubility. Each conformational driver or effector is described and exemplified in a separate section. The final section is dedicated to NMR spectroscopy and illustrates its utility as an essential tool for conformational design.

Exploring GP and patient attitudes towards the use and deprescribing of dietary supplements: a survey study in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: Dietary supplements are commonly used by older adults, but their inappropriate use may lead to adverse events. To optimise medication use, general practitioners (GPs) ideally are aware of all substances that patients use, including supplements. This cross-sectional study explored the use of dietary supplements by older patients with polypharmacy, the rate at which they disclosed this use to their GPs, and compared patients' and GPs' attitudes towards discontinuing dietary supplements. METHODS: Ten GPs in Swiss primary care recruited five to ten of their older patients taking ≥ 5 regular medications. Both GPs and their patients completed a survey on patients' use of dietary supplements and attitudes towards deprescribing those. We described and compared their responses. We assessed the association of supplement disclosure with patient characteristics using multilevel logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Three out of ten GPs (30%) were female, and GPs' average age was 52 years (SD = 8). 45% of patients were female (29/65). Most patients (n = 45, 70%) were taking ≥ 1 supplement. On average, patients reported to be using three supplements (SD = 2). In 60% (n = 39) of patients, GPs were unaware of ≥ 1 supplement used. We did not find evidence for an association between supplement disclosure to GPs and patient characteristics. Only 8% (n = 5) of patients and 60% (n = 6) of GPs reported ≥ 1 supplement they would be willing to deprescribe and none of the supplements reported by GPs and patients to deprescribe matched. CONCLUSION: Swiss GPs were unaware of many dietary supplements used by their older patients, which may affect medication optimisation efforts.

Different diseases, different needs: Patient preferences for gene therapy in lysosomal storage disorders, a probabilistic threshold technique survey.

BACKGROUND: Gene therapy is currently in development for several monogenetic diseases including lysosomal storage disorders. Limited evidence is available on patient preferences for gene therapy in this population. In this study, we compare gene therapy-related risk tolerance between people affected by three lysosomal storage diseases currently faced with different therapeutic options and prognoses. METHODS: A survey including the probabilistic threshold technique was developed in which respondents were asked to choose between gene therapy and the current standard of care. The attributes included to establish participants' risk tolerance were previously identified in focus groups of affected people or their representatives, namely: risk of mild side effects, severe side effects, the need for additional medication, and the likelihood of long-term effectiveness. The survey was distributed among people receiving outpatient care for type 1 Gaucher disease (good prognosis with current treatment options), Fabry disease (varying prognosis with current treatment options, XY-genotype on average more severely affected than XX), and parents representing people with severe forms of mucopolysaccharidosis type III A/B (poor prognosis, no disease-specific therapy available). RESULTS: A total of 85 surveys were completed (15 Gaucher disease respondents, 62 Fabry disease respondents (17 self-identifying male), eight parents of ten people with mucopolysaccharidosis type III). Disease groups with higher disease severity trended towards higher risk tolerance: Gaucher disease respondents were most cautious and predominantly preferred the current standard of care as opposed to MPS III representatives who were more risk tolerant. Respondents with Fabry disease were most heterogeneous in their risk tolerance, with male participants being more risk tolerant than female participants. Long-term effectiveness was the attribute in which respondents tolerated the least risk. CONCLUSIONS: People affected by a lysosomal storage disease associated with a poorer prognosis and less effective current treatment options trended towards more risk tolerance when choosing between gene therapy and the current standard of care. This study shows the importance of involvement of patient preferences before and during the development process of new treatment modalities such as gene therapy for rare diseases, to ensure that innovative therapies align with the wishes and needs of people affected by these diseases.

Examining Drinking Water Preferences among University Students: A Comparative Assessment.

In recent years, there has been a clear increase in bottled water consumption globally, which has led to significant health and environmental concerns. This cross-sectional study aims to understand the attitude and preferences of university students in Qatar towards the use of bottled and tap drinking water using an online survey questionnaire (September and October 2022). The number of students who responded to the online survey was 14% (n = 688) of the student population, with a mean age of 22.23 ± 5.15 years from the different colleges. Overall, a higher fraction of students preferred plastic bottled water as the main drinking source on campus (n = 468; 68.02%), with a majority of them being females (72.08%). Out of the 468 students who preferred plastic bottled water, safety was the most important factor (43.80%), followed by convenience (16.88%) and taste (15.60%). Cost (15.17%), personal/family habits (5.13%), environmental concerns (2.14%), and mineral content (1.28%) were found to be the least important factors. Among the 45 students (6.54%) who preferred tap water over plastic bottled water, cost (46.67%) was the dominant factor, followed by convenience (20.00%), environmental concerns and safety (13.33% each), taste (4.44%), and personal/family habits (2.22%). Around 72% believed that plastic water bottles were more harmful to the environment, yet the greater majority still resorted to this source. The research study underscores safety as the major factor favoring bottled water over tap water. Further, it suggests that knowledge alone does not fully explain student behavior, implying other influential factors. This study recommends campaigns focus on attitude and behavior change and not solely emphasize knowledge. There is an immediate need to further educate students through environmental and health literacy programs on water consumption and quality. Enabling the population to understand the positive and negative aspects of their choices may be an effective remedy for ensuring a healthy population and healthy environment.

Preferences of patients with multiple chronic diseases for medication in rural areas of an Eastern Province China: a discrete choice experiment.

Background: Multiple Chronic Diseases (MCD) are the co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions within an individual. Compared to patients with a single chronic disease, those with MCD face challenges related to polypharmacy, which increases the risk of adverse drug events, side effects, and drug-drug interactions. Understanding the specific medication preferences of patients with MCD is crucial to optimize treatment plans and enhance treatment safety. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the medication preferences among patients with multiple chronic diseases in rural areas of an eastern province of China. Methods: A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was used to measure patients' medication preferences. According to literature research, expert panel discussions, and in-depth patient interviews, we identified six attributes: monthly out-of-pocket cost, onset speed of action, adverse effects, whether it is covered by health insurance, origin of medications, and types of medications. The conditional logit models (CLM) and mixed logit models (MIXL) were used to evaluate the choice data. Willingness to pay (WTP) was used to reflect the monetary value that patients were willing to pay or receive reimbursement after changes in different attribute levels. Results: A total of 956 respondents were included in the analysis. Of which, 68.62% were female, with an average age of 68 years, and 65.89% had a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 24. Statistical significance was observed for all attributes (p < 0.001). The preferred medication for patients encompassed low monthly out-of-pocket costs, rapid onset of action, rare adverse effects, and a preference for Western medicine, health insurance-covered medication and domestic medication. The onset speed of action was a primary consideration for patients, who demonstrated a willingness to pay an additional CNY151.37 per month for a medication with a rapid onset of action. Conclusion: Rural patients with multiple chronic diseases preferred medications with rapid onset, rare adverse, Western medications, domestic medication, and health insurance-covered medication. Medical staff can effectively combine the Health Belief Model (HBM) to help patients with multiple chronic diseases improve their confidence and understanding of medication selection, to improve their health management.

From trendsetters to second movers: Commitments as catalysts for social change.

This paper examines the dual role of commitment in accelerating the mitigation of maladaptive norms. By drawing on the literature on social norms and commitment, I analyze how commitments (i) explain the deviant behavior of trendsetters and (ii) expedite social change by prompting counterpreferential choices among second movers. Specifically, the paper explores two key aspects of this dynamic: (1) the importance of moral norms, particularly in the relationship between trendsetters' commitments and their unconditional preferences, and (2) the unique role of second movers, whose commitment to trendsetters can lead them to make choices that contradict their conditional preferences in favor of trendsetters' behavior. This suggests that second movers, despite their tendency to conform to established social norms, may act against their conditional preferences due to their commitment to trendsetters. Understanding the role of commitments in shaping the behaviors of trendsetters and second movers is essential to overcoming psychological barriers that impede social change. Nonetheless, further exploration is needed to determine which maladaptive norms are most responsive to commitments and under what circumstances counterpreferential choices are likely to prevail.

Support needs of gout patients and suitability of eHealth to address these needs.

Objectives: To investigate the support needs of patients with gout regarding information, communication, treatment and disease monitoring, and patients' views on and preferences for eHealth applications to address these needs. Methods: A focus group study using purposive sampling was conducted. Three focus group sessions with a duration of 2 h per group were held with in total of 23 patients using urate-lowering therapy, recruited from primary and secondary care. Audio recordings were transcribed, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Eight themes were identified. Five themes addressed support needs of gout patients and suitability of eHealth in addressing those needs: (1) Timely access to healthcare, especially during flares; (2) (personalized) information regarding diagnosis, medication, and diet; (3) insight into uric acid levels and medication side effects through blood monitoring; (4) better coordination across primary and secondary care; and (5) self-management and shared responsibility over care for maintaining health. Three themes addressed eHealth in general: (1) receptive towards eHealth in gout care; (2) the preference for eHealth to have a complementary role (i.e. not replacing face-to-face) contact with healthcare providers; and (3) preferences on eHealth use and functionalities. Conclusion: Patients expressed various needs regarding their disease management and projected a supporting role for eHealth in (self)management of gout. Addressing the needs and preferences of patients could enhance their understanding of the disease and treatment, self-management, and possibly health outcomes.

DMHANT: DropMessage Hypergraph Attention Network for Information Propagation Prediction.

Predicting propagation cascades is crucial for understanding information propagation in social networks. Existing methods always focus on structure or order of infected users in a single cascade sequence, ignoring the global dependencies of cascades and users, which is insufficient to characterize their dynamic interaction preferences. Moreover, existing methods are poor at addressing the problem of model robustness. To address these issues, we propose a predication model named DropMessage Hypergraph Attention Networks, which constructs a hypergraph based on the cascade sequence. Specifically, to dynamically obtain user preferences, we divide the diffusion hypergraph into multiple subgraphs according to the time stamps, develop hypergraph attention networks to explicitly learn complete interactions, and adopt a gated fusion strategy to connect them for user cascade prediction. In addition, a new drop immediately method DropMessage is added to increase the robustness of the model. Experimental results on three real-world datasets indicate that proposed model significantly outperforms the most advanced information propagation prediction model in both MAP@k and Hits@K metrics, and the experiment also proves that the model achieves more significant prediction performance than the existing model under data perturbation.

What do you want to eat? Cuisine and nutrition intervention preferences among people using a large food pantry in Texas.

Objective: Nutrition interventions delivered through food pantries could reduce health disparities for people experiencing food insecurity. We identified clients' preferences for cuisines, nutrition interventions, and outcomes and whether preferences differ for subpopulations. Methods: Cross-sectional study at a large pantry in Dallas, Texas (N = 200). Survey collected from February-May 2023 on demographics, cuisine preferences, nutrition intervention preferences, and outcomes clients hope to achieve when changing lifestyle (weight loss, feeling comfortable in clothes, feeling good about diet, wellbeing). A subsample (N = 130) had height and weight measured. We tested whether food security and BMI (categorical) were associated with intervention or outcome preferences using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 29) to conduct analysis of variance. Results: Top-rated cuisines were Mexican, Chinese, Italian. Participants reported a desire for interventions implemented through the pantry reflected by high Nutrition Intervention Index scores. The highest rated intervention was bringing more healthy food into the pantry and lowest rated was restricting unhealthy donations.Overall wellbeing was the most important outcome and weight loss the least important.Neither food security nor BMI were associated with desire for interventions. All outcomes were rated in a similar pattern, though people with obesity and overweight rated weight loss as more important than people with normal weight. Conclusions: Most participants demonstrated a strong desire for healthier, ethnically diverse options, and nutrition interventions delivered through the pantry. Our findings explore cuisines and outcomes preferred by people that use food pantries which can guide researchers, clinicians, and non-profit organizations in planning and promotion of nutrition programs for pantry clients.

Luxury or Cultural Tourism Activities? The Role of Narcissistic Personality Traits and Travel-Related Motivations.

This study aimed to examine the role of travel-related motivations and preferences for activities (such as learning about local culture, relaxation and entertainment, status and social recognition, escape and curiosity, and experience) in the relationship between narcissistic personality traits and the preference for luxury tourism versus cultural tourism. A sample of 1342 Israeli community members was analyzed. The methodology utilized parallel mediation analyses to assess how different forms of narcissism (extraverted, antagonistic, neurotic, and communal) were associated with the desire for luxury tourism over cultural tourism, as mediated by various travel-related motivations. The results indicated that narcissistic personality traits were generally associated with a preference for luxury tourism, primarily through indirect associations via travel motivations such as relaxation and entertainment, status and social recognition, and experience. The conclusion highlights the implications for understanding how specific travel-related motivations influence tourism preferences among individuals with varying levels of narcissistic traits, suggesting that tourism management strategies could benefit from a nuanced approach to personality in marketing.

A Situational Analysis of Attitudes toward Stray Cats and Preferences and Priorities for Their Management.

Current cat management approaches are outdated and ineffective, failing to reduce stray cat numbers or related complaints and negatively impacting the job satisfaction and mental health of veterinary, shelter, and municipal staff. We undertook a situational analysis prior to implementing a Community Cat Program based on free sterilization of owned, semi-owned, and unowned cats in the city of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. The study involved 343 residents in three suburbs in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia with high per capita intake of cats into the receiving shelter and municipal pound. We investigated the prevalence and impacts of free-roaming cats in urban areas, focusing on sightings, associated issues, and community preferences for cat management. Stray cats were observed by many respondents (71%), primarily at private residences (52%) and in alleyways or streets (22%), which caused serious or moderately serious problems for 38% of those who saw stray or wandering cats. Key concerns included the killing of native birds (38%) and animals (35%), noise (33%), and soiling (32%). Actions taken by respondents who saw stray or wandering cats included chasing them away or using deterrents (25%), capturing the cat for removal or calling council (18%) and preventing home entry (14%). Respondents' priorities for the local government management of cats included preventing kittens from being born (94% of respondents) and stopping cats from preying on native animals (91%); reducing disease spread to pets (89%), wildlife (89%), and humans (87%); decreasing stray cat numbers (75%); and preventing cat fights (70%). Respondents favored sterilization (65%) over euthanasia (35%), aligning with the results of previous research. Cat ownership and feeding unowned cats were predictors of management preferences. Only 29% of respondents were satisfied with the current local council management of the problem. Information on the benefits of management by sterilization could further enhance community support.

The Periodic Feeding Frequency of the Juvenile Tropical Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus) in the Examination of Chemo-Attract Diet Performance and Colour-Contrast Preference.

Significant research investment into tropical rock lobster (TRL) aquaculture production methods has led to a rapidly developing industry in Vietnam and, more recently, in Australia. The need for an effective formulated feed has been highlighted for both industries; however, feed intake has been a consistent limitation. Visual and chemical cues regulating feed recognition and consumption are expected to yield valuable data, leading to increased feed intake. Lobsters were placed in white- and grey-coloured enclosures to examine the effect of background colour on their feeding behaviour in terms of feeding occurrence and response time. The impact of background colour on TRL feeding behaviour found no statistically significant differences between TRL in white and grey enclosures, suggesting grayscale contrast does not directly affect feeding behaviour. Experiment 2 studied the effects of coloured feeding zones on feeding response in white enclosures. Yellow feeding zones led to a decreased feeding time (473 ± 443 s) and increased time spent feeding (168 ± 1832 s) compared to other colours, possibly due to the yellow-blue chromaticity (b*) contrast. Experiment 3 examined chemo-attractants (glycine, taurine and inositol) and their influence on the feeding behaviour of TRL, but no increased responses were observed. Experiments two and three assessed TRL feeding activity in morning and evening periods, highlighting their nocturnal behaviour, with more feeding occurring in the evening. This project enhances our understanding of photoreceptive and chemoreceptive factors affecting TRL feeding behaviour with formulated feed. It also reveals the potential for background colour changes to enhance marketable colours in commercial settings. Additionally, the study confirmed the effective use of animal tracking software (EthoVision XT) for lobster species tracking in future behavioural trials.

Alterations in taste preferences one year following sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and one anastomosis gastric bypass: a cross-sectional study.

The influence of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) on taste preferences and the pleasurable aspects of appetite may be mediated through its effects on gut hormones, potentially affecting weight loss results. Research indicates that the nature of the MBS performed significantly impacts food cravings in the year following the procedure, with no clear relationship to psychological factors or pre-surgery eating behaviors. During the period from August 2021 to August 2022, a group of adult patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2 or above, or 35 kg/m2 or above with obesity-related medical complications, underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) at a tertiary academic center focused on MBS. This research included 294 patients who completed the Taste Desire and Enjoyment Change Questionnaire (TDECQ) one year after their surgical procedures, which were primary RYGB, OAGB, or SG. Most participants noted changes in their taste perception, cravings, and enjoyment of flavors after undergoing SG, RYGB, and OAGB. The study's findings suggest that the type of MBS significantly affects taste preferences. Additionally, RYGB and OAGB were associated with a more substantial decrease in the craving for sweet and fatty flavors relative to SG.

Factors Influencing Elderly Consumers' Preferences for Edible Gels: Insights from Slovakia.

As dietary needs shift with the growing and aging population, there is a demand for food products that meet nutritional, safety, and tribological requirements while being cost-effective. Seniors must be given significant consideration in new product development. This study examines consumer preferences for arabinogalactan (AG) and beta-glucan (BG) hydrogels with vanilla and coffee-biscuit flavors, using consumer tests (N = 80) and an online survey (N = 852). It focuses on the gels' physical properties, such as texture and viscosity, and their impact on sensory perception. The use of two different gel-forming polysaccharides, each with a unique sensory profile, was observed to affect the sensory properties of the resulting gels and subsequently influence product acceptance. This study analyzed preferences across three age groups: young (18-39 years), middle-aged (40-59 years), and older adults (60+ years). The results showed that seniors preferred AG-based gels. Significant attributes such as the intensity of flavor and bitter taste influenced the overall liking of the gels. Texture also notably impacted preferences. The survey findings revealed statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences in preferences between older adults and younger age groups. Tailoring product development and marketing strategies based on age and sensory preferences could enhance consumer acceptance of edible gels.

Nutritional Education Needs and Preferences of Sports Volunteers: Access, Expectations, and Forms of Support.

The aim of this study was to analyze the needs and preferences of sports volunteers regarding nutritional education, with particular emphasis on the availability of educational materials and expectations towards event organizers. The methodology was grounded in a qualitative approach, employing detailed individual interviews (IDIs) with seventeen volunteers (n = 17) who were actively involved in various sporting events, including races, triathlons, and athletic competitions at local, national, and international levels. This sample size was justified as it was sufficient to achieve data saturation, meaning no new significant themes emerged after these interviews. The results indicate that most participants feel a lack of access to reliable information about nutrition, with 70% (n = 12) indicating a need for educational materials, which limits their ability to make informed dietary decisions. Volunteers expect event organizers to provide educational materials and prefer a variety of practical forms of education, such as interactive workshops and accessible online resources. While the volunteers expressed a desire for improved nutritional education, further investigation is needed to establish a direct link between this education and potential enhancements in their performance and well-being. For this reason, greater attention should be paid to the nutritional education of volunteers, which is a key element of their preparation to work in high-stress and physically intense conditions.

Biologics and oral systemic treatment preferences in patients and physicians for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a discrete choice experiment in the United Kingdom and Germany.

Background: As the available treatments for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) expand, understanding patient and physician preferences becomes crucial for informed decision-making.Objective: To quantify patient and physician preferences for biologics and oral systemic AD treatment attributes.Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, online discrete choice experiment (DCE) involving 306 AD patients and 206 physicians throughout the United Kingdom and Germany. Qualitative interviews identified the key attributes for inclusion in the DCE. Each choice task comprised two hypothetical patient profiles. Data were analyzed using a random-parameters logit model.Results: Results indicated a significant emphasis on efficacy, with reducing sleep disturbance and itch ranking first and second among patients, and the reverse for physicians. Time to itch relief was the third most important efficacy attribute for both groups, but relatively more important for patients than for physicians. For both groups, the risk of eye problems was the most important safety concern of those included. Mode of administration was not of great importance compared to efficacy and safety attributes.Conclusions: Our findings suggest patients prioritize sleep disturbance, an attribute not captured in prior preference studies in AD, time to itch relief and itch. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing sleep-related issues, whilst also targeting fast itch control, to enhance patients' well-being.

Exploring Patient Preferences Related to Shared Decision-Making in Chronic Disease Management.

Background and objective Shared decision-making (SDM) in healthcare has transitioned from a paternalistic model to a collaborative approach, particularly significant in chronic disease management. This shift focuses on aligning healthcare decisions with patient preferences and values, thereby enhancing patient engagement and treatment adherence. However, patient preferences regarding involvement in SDM vary widely, influenced by demographic, disease-specific, psychological, cultural, and social factors. This study aimed to explore patient preferences related to SDM in chronic disease management in Saudi Arabia, by assessing attitudes toward SDM, the impact of decision aids, and the role of clinician communication in influencing these preferences. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was employed, involving 409 adult outpatients with chronic diseases attending four public hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Participants were selected using purposive and convenience sampling. The survey, translated into Arabic, collected demographic data and information on preferences and experiences in decision-making, communication, and information sharing. The data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) to identify patterns and correlations. Results Key findings indicated a strong preference among the participants for involvement in treatment decisions (n=303, 74.2%) and clear communication using layman's terms (n=338, 82.6%). Major barriers to active participation in SDM included lack of time during appointments (n=275, 67.2%), difficulty understanding medical terminology (n=220, 53.9%), and feeling intimidated to ask questions (297, 72.6%). Comfort in SDM was highest in the age group of 41-50 years [mean=4.16, standard deviation (SD)=28.44; F=2.3287, p=0.0739]. Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the age group of 18-30 years (mean=3.42, SD=1.09; F=3.0503, p=0.0284). Conclusions Our findings highlight the need for incorporating patient preferences into chronic disease management strategies to enhance engagement and satisfaction.

How to meet coping strategies and preferences of children during invasive medical procedures: perspectives of healthcare professionals.

Children with negative procedural experiences have an increased risk of fear and distress, with psychological consequences for subsequent procedures and future healthcare behaviors. Gaining control and feeling trust are important aspects for children to decrease fear. To enable professionals providing personal care during medical procedures, a systematic, evidence-based approach that supports children in expressing their preferences is needed. This study will gain insight into the experiences and needs of professionals involved in small invasive medical procedures to meet the coping strategies and preferences of children undergoing these procedures. A qualitative design was used to gain insight into professionals' perspectives. Data were collected through online focus groups with various professionals involved in medical procedures, such as anesthetists, laboratory staff, nurses, and pediatricians. Five interdisciplinary focus groups, with a total of 32 participants, were held. One overarching theme was revealed: "Balancing between different actors within the context of the hospital." Professionals reported they had to deal with different actors during a medical procedure: the child, the parent, the colleague, and themselves. Each actor had its own interests. They were aware of the child and parents' priority to gain control and feel trust. Nevertheless, they perceive organizational and personal aspects that hinder addressing these needs. CONCLUSION: To provide personalized care, professionals experience balancing between the needs and interests of diverse actors during medical procedures. The findings underscore the importance of a policy supporting HCPs in integrating patient-centered care into practice through practical tools and training initiatives such as scenario training. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Unresolved pain and stress arising from medical procedures can have significant short- and long-term impacts on children. Empowering children to gain control and fostering a sense of trust are crucial factors in reducing fear associated with medical procedures. • Children and parents expect to receive child-tailored care from professionals including respect for their own, unique needs, and boundaries. Professionals should build trustful relationships and provide appropriately tailored autonomy around medical procedures. WHAT IS NEW: • Healthcare professionals vary in their awareness of children's needs during a medical procedure. Beside this, the organizational dynamics of the hospital, along with the presence of actors such as the child, parent, colleague, and oneself, collectively influence the conduct of medical procedures. • Providing person-centered care during medical procedures can present challenges. The results highlight the significance of a policy to assist healthcare professionals in incorporating patient-centered care into their practice through practical tools and a culture of self-reflections regarding patient-centered values.