Social Determinants of Health in Cardio-Oncology: Multi-Level Strategies to Overcome Disparities in Care: JACC: CardioOncology State-of-the-Art Review.

Addressing the need for more equitable cardio-oncology care requires attention to existing disparities in cardio-oncologic disease prevention and outcomes. This is particularly important among those affected by adverse social determinants of health (SDOH). The intricate relationship of SDOH, cancer diagnosis, and outcomes from cardiotoxicities associated with oncologic therapies is influenced by sociopolitical, economic, and cultural factors. Furthermore, mechanisms in cell signaling and epigenetic effects on gene expression link adverse SDOH to cancer and the CVD-related complications of oncologic therapies. To mitigate these disparities, a multifaceted strategy is needed that includes attention to health care access, policy, and community engagement for improved disease screening and management. Interdisciplinary teams must also promote cultural humility and competency and leverage new health technology to foster collaboration in addressing the impact of adverse SDOH in cardio-oncologic outcomes.

The lymphedema patient experience within the healthcare system: a cross-sectional epidemiologic assessment.

Lymphedema is a progressive lymphatic disease that potentiates physical and psychosocial distress. Despite its impact, patients reportedly encounter lymphatic ignorance throughout the healthcare system. This cross-sectional study aims to summarize clinical characteristics and interactions of lymphedema patients within the healthcare system. Two lymphedema patient cohorts were included: The Global Registry Analysis Cohort included lymphedema patients who contributed to an international digital lymphatic registry and the Interactions Cohort included patients who initiated a questionnaire about interactions with the medical system. The global registry was used to obtain demographic and clinical characteristics from affiliated lymphedema patients. A 23-item online questionnaire on healthcare experiences and satisfaction with lymphatic healthcare was then distributed to the Interactions Cohort. Complete responses were obtained from 2474 participants. Participants were a mean age of 57.5 ± 16.1 years and 51.4% had a cancer history. Participants reported substantial delays in diagnosis and treatment. Cancer-related and non-cancer-related lymphedema patients reported similar levels of perceived physician disinterest in their lymphedema; however, non-cancer-related lymphedema patients reported more care dissatisfaction. Ultimately, patients continue to face delays in lymphedema diagnosis and treatment. We developed an evidence-based model highlighting areas of reform needed to improve lymphatic education and healthcare.

Exploring functional metabolites and proteomics biomarkers in late-preterm and natural-born pigs.

Introduction: Pigs are often used to study the intestinal development of newborns, particularly as preterm pig models that mimic the intestinal growth of human preterm infants. Neonatology's study of delivery mode's impact on neonatal development is crucial. Methods: We established 14 newborn pigs delivered via cesarean sections (C-section, at 113 days of gestational age, CS group) and 8 naturally born pigs were used as controls (at 114 days of gestational age, NF group). The impact of two alternative delivery procedures (C-section and natural birth) on the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and organic acids in the hepatic and intestines of newborn pigs were compared using metabolomics. The underlying molecular pathways are examined at the "protein-metabolite" level by integrating proteomic data. Results: The findings demonstrated that the mode of delivery changed the metabolism of SCFAs in newborn pigs, perhaps by affecting the physiology levels of cyclic intermediates such as lactate and malate in the pyruvate metabolic pathway. Additionally, by participating in the fatty acid metabolism pathway, two distinct proteins (FASN and HSD17B4) may impact the physiological concentration of these tiny metabolites. Discussion: In conclusion, this study provided reliable animal model data for understanding the physiological SCFA metabolic information and its affecting mechanism of large-gestational age preterm infants.

Is the Differentiated Service Delivery Model Suited to the Needs of People Living with HIV in Rwanda?

The primary goal of antiretroviral treatment is to improve the health of individuals with HIV, and a secondary goal is to prevent further transmission. In 2016, Rwanda adopted the World Health Organization's "treat-all" approach in combination with the differentiated service delivery (DSD) model. The model's goal was to shorten the time from HIV diagnosis to treatment initiation, regardless of the CD4 T-cell count. This study sought to identify perceptions, enablers, and challenges associated with DSD model adoption among PLHIV.This study included selected health centers in Kigali city, Rwanda, between August and September 2022. The patients included were those exposed to the new HIV care model (DSD) model and those exposed to the previous model who transitioned to the current model. Interviews and focus group discussions were also held to obtain views and opinions on the DSD model. The data were collected via questionnaires and audio-recorded focus group discussions and were subsequently analyzed.The study identified several themes, including participants' initial emotions about a new HIV diagnosis, disclosure, experiences with transitioning to the DSD model, the effect of peer education, and barriers to and facilitators of the DSD model. Participants appreciated reduced clinic visits under the DSD model but faced transition and peer educator mobility challenges.The DSD model reduces waiting times, educates patients, and aligns with national goals. Identified barriers call for training and improved peer educator retention. Recommendations include enhancing the DSD model and future research to evaluate its long-term impact and cost-effectiveness.

Exploring the valued outcomes of school-based speech-language therapy services: a sequential iterative design.

Background: Achieving outcomes that community members value is essential to high-quality, family-centred care. These valued outcomes should inform the production and interpretation of research evidence. To date, outcomes included in studies of service delivery models for speech-language services in schools have been narrowly defined, and do not match the outcomes suggested as important by families, teachers, and children. The most important outcomes of school-based, speech-languages services have not been directly and systematically investigated. We aimed to address this gap by asking school community members what outcomes were most relevant to evaluating and improving the delivery of speech-language services in schools. Methods: A sequential, iterative mixed-method study was conducted using interviews with 14 family members, educators, and speech-language therapists that asked what outcomes or impacts of school-based services they considered most important or valuable. Summative content analysis was used to analyse the data. Structural topic modelling between rounds of qualitative analysis was used to describe both the quality and the quantity of the interview content. School community members' perspectives were compared through estimation of topic proportions within interviews from each member group and through qualitative comparison. Results: Structural topic modelling diagnostics and qualitative interpretation of topic output suggested a six-topic solution. This solution was estimated successfully and yielded the following topics: (1) meeting all needs appropriately, (2) teamwork and collaboration, (3) building capacities, (4) supporting individual student needs in context, (5) coordinating care, and finally (6) supporting core educational goals. Families focused on school-based services meeting all needs appropriately and coordinating care, while educators highlighted supporting individual student needs in context. By contrast, speech-language therapists emphasized building capacities and supporting core educational goals. All school community members agreed that current assessment tools and outcome measures were inadequate to capture the most important impacts of school-based services. Conclusions: Outcomes identified by school community members as important or valuable were broad, and included individual student outcomes, interpersonal outcomes, and systems-level outcomes. Although these outcomes were discussed by all member groups, each group focused on different outcomes in the interviews, suggesting differences in the prioritization of outcomes. We recommend building consensus regarding the most important outcomes for school-based speech-language services, as well as the prioritization of outcomes for measure development.

Stability in care and risk of loss to follow-up among clients receiving community health worker-led differentiated HIV care: Results from a prospective cohort study in northern Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: HIV services in Tanzania are facility-based but facilities are often overcrowded. Differentiated care models (DCM) have been introduced into the National Guidelines. We piloted a Community Health Worker (CHW)-led HIV treatment club model (CHW-DCM) in an urban region, and assessed its effectiveness in comparison to the standard of care (SoC, facility-based model), in terms of stability in care, loss to follow-up (LTFU) and treatment adherence. METHODS: In two clinics in the Shinyanga region, clients established on ART (defined as stable clients by national guidelines as on first-line ART >6 months, undetectable viral load, no opportunistic infections or pregnancy, and good adherence) were offered CHW-DCM. This prospective cohort study included all stable clients who enrolled in CHW-DCM between July 2018 and March 2020 (CHW-DCM) and compared them to stable clients who remained in SoC during that period. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to analyse factors associated with continued stability in care and the risk of LTFU during 18 months of follow-up; treatment adherence was assessed by pill count and compared using Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Of 2472 stable clients, 24.5% received CHW-DCM and 75.5% SoC. CHW-DCM clients were slightly older (mean 42.8 vs. 37.9 years) and more likely to be female (36.2% vs. 32.2%). Treatment adherence was better among CHW-DCM than SoC: 96.6% versus 91.9% and 98.5% versus 92.2%, respectively (both p = 0.001). SoC clients were more likely to not remain stable over time than CHW-DCM (adjusted Hazard ratio [AHR] = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.86-3.90). There was no difference in LTFU (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 1.54; 95%CI: 0.82-2.93). CONCLUSION: Clients attending CHW-DCM demonstrated better stability in care and treatment adherence than SoC, and the risk of LTFU was not increased. These findings demonstrate the potential of CHW in delivering community-based HIV services in the local Tanzanian context. These results could be used to extend this CHW-DCM model to similar settings.

Cardiovascular health assessment in routine cancer follow-up in community settings: survivor risk awareness and perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend cardiovascular risk assessment and counseling for cancer survivors. For effective implementation, it is critical to understand survivor cardiovascular health (CVH) profiles and perspectives in community settings. We aimed to (1) Assess survivor CVH profiles, (2) compare self-reported and EHR-based categorization of CVH factors, and (3) describe perceptions regarding addressing CVH during oncology encounters. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis utilized data from an ongoing NCI Community Oncology Research Program trial of an EHR heart health tool for cancer survivors (WF-1804CD). Survivors presenting for routine care after potentially curative treatment recruited from 8 oncology practices completed a pre-visit survey, including American Heart Association Simple 7 CVH factors (classified as ideal, intermediate, or poor). Medical record abstraction ascertained CVD risk factors and cancer characteristics. Likert-type questions assessed desired discussion during oncology care. RESULTS: Of 502 enrolled survivors (95.6% female; mean time since diagnosis = 4.2 years), most had breast cancer (79.7%). Many survivors had common cardiovascular comorbidities, including high cholesterol (48.3%), hypertension or high BP (47.8%) obesity (33.1%), and diabetes (20.5%); 30.5% of survivors received high cardiotoxicity potential cancer treatment. Less than half had ideal/non-missing levels for physical activity (48.0%), BMI (18.9%), cholesterol (17.9%), blood pressure (14.1%), healthy diet (11.0%), and glucose/ HbA1c (6.0%). While > 50% of survivors had concordant EHR-self-report categorization for smoking, BMI, and blood pressure; cholesterol, glucose, and A1C were unknown by survivors and/or missing in the EHR for most. Most survivors agreed oncology providers should talk about heart health (78.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Tools to promote CVH discussion can fill gaps in CVH knowledge and are likely to be well-received by survivors in community settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03935282, Registered 10/01/2020.

Evaluation of mailed results versus telephone disclosure of normal cancer genetic test results in a low-risk underserved population.

Scalable models for result disclosure are needed to ensure large-scale access to genomics services. Research evaluating alternatives to genetic counseling suggests effectiveness; however, it is unknown whether these findings are generalizable across populations. We assessed whether a letter is non-inferior to telephone genetic counseling to inform participants with no personal or family history of cancer of their normal results. Data were collected via self-report surveys before and after result disclosure (at 1 and 6 months) in a study sample enriched for individuals from underserved populations. Primary outcomes were subjective understanding of results (global and aggregated) and test-related feelings, ascertained via three subscales (uncertainty, negative emotions, and positive feelings) of the Feelings About genomiC Testing Results (FACToR) measure. Secondary outcomes related to satisfaction with communication. Non-inferiority tests compared outcomes among disclosure methods. Communication by letter was inferior in terms of global subjective understanding of results (at 1 month) and non-inferior to telephoned results (at 6 months). Letter was non-inferior to telephone for aggregated understanding (at 6 months). Letter was superior (at 1 month) to telephone on the uncertainty FACToR subscale. Letter was non-inferior to telephone on the positive-feelings FACToR subscale (at 6 months). Letter was non-inferior to telephone for satisfaction with mode of result delivery and genetic test results. Communication via letter was inferior to telephone in communicating the "right amount of information." The use of written communication to relay normal results to low-risk individuals is a promising strategy that may improve the efficiency of care delivery.

Genetic counseling services delivered in the usual way­during clinic visits­can take up a lot of time for patients and genetic counselors. Alternatives to this practice have been studied among genetic counseling patients to spare genetic counselors' time and expand access and flexibility for patients. Yet, in these studies, the participants have lacked diversity. So, it is not known how these research findings pertain to all populations. In this study, we looked at the use of an alternative care model, a mailed letter, for sharing normal genetic test results with study participants from underserved populations. We tested whether patients viewed the mailed letter as no worse than a telephone conversation with a genetic counselor, which has been shown to be well received by patients. We learned that study participants felt they understood their results, were not distressed to receive the results, and were satisfied with how their results were delivered. Lastly, we found that participants were more satisfied with the amount of information provided about their test results during the telephone conversation compared with the mailed letter. This study provides new information about different ways to deliver test results to individuals receiving genetic services.

The South West Clinical School model: an initiative to transform clinical academic career pathways.

Background: The Clinical School Model connects professorial staff from the university directly to practitioners in the National Health Service to promote evidence informed practice and develop clinical academic careers. These are promoted widely, but strategic adoption into organisational culture and workforce plans are challenging to overcome. Aims: To describe the development of the Clinical School Model in Cornwall and explore how it generates impact through staff engagement activities to support clinical academic career pathways. Structure, process and outcomes developments over the last 3-years are reported. Methods: Donabedian's framework (structure, process and outcome) was used to report on the development and impact of the Clinical School Model. Results: Structural and process activities are reported, illustrating strong foundations to embed clinical academic career pathway opportunities. In the absence of empirical reporting standards for such developments, quantitative and qualitative outcomes are reported against the Clinical School's 5-year strategic plan. Conclusions: This paper responds to the lack of reported evidence on developing organisational infrastructure to address the clinical academics aspirations of nurses and their employers. This important contribution leads a call for more organisations to report to the evidence base, enabling shared learning and shaping future research.

Care Perceptions in two ICU Nursing Care Delivery Models: A qualitative-comparative approach / Percepciones del cuidado en dos modelos de atención de enfermería en UCI: aproximación cualitativa-comparativa / Percepções de cuidado em dois modelos de assistência de enfermagem em UTI: uma abordagem qualitativo-comparativa

Objective. Analyzed in compared perspective perceptions about nursing care, nurse-patient interaction, and nursing care outcomes in two ICU nursing staff in a high-complexity hospital institution, whose Nursing are Delivery Models (NCDM) are differentiated by the proportion of nurses and nurse assistants (NA) per team and by the assigned tasks and responsibilities. Methods. Particularist ethnography with adaptation to virtual methodologies. It included the sociodemographic characteristics of 19 nurses and 23 NA, 14 semi-structured interviews, review of patients' clinical records, and a focus group. Coding, categorization, inductive analysis, validation of results with participants were conducted and thematic saturation was achieved. Results. Four themes were identified: i) Professionalized care: a nursing of superior value; ii) senses and feelings of care; iii) nursing workload, generating factors and impacts; and iv) nursing missed care as concrete expression of the nursing workload. Conclusion. Compared nursing teams perceived nursing care in different ways, since it was experienced based on the assigned responsibilities and the possibilities of interaction with patients. Nursing care in the NCDM of the ICU with prevalence of direct bedside care by nurses with support from NA, it was perceived as holistic, comprehensive, and empathetic; whereas in the ICU with prevalence of delegated care to NA, it was related with administrative leadership and management of the ICU. Regarding the results, the NCDM of the ICU of direct bedside care by nurses showed better performance in patient safety and was closer to the skill level and legal responsibility of the nursing staff.

Objetivo. Analizar en perspectiva comparada las percepciones sobre el cuidado de enfermería, el relacionamiento con los pacientes y los resultados del cuidado en dos equipos de enfermería de UCI de una institución hospitalaria de alta complejidad, cuyos Modelos de Atención de Enfermería (MAE) se diferencian por la proporción de enfermeras y Auxiliares de Enfermería (AE) por equipo y por las tareas y responsabilidades asignadas. Métodos. Etnografía particularista con adaptación a metodologías virtuales. Incluyó la caracterización sociodemográfica a 19 enfermeras y 23 AE, 14 entrevistas semiestructuradas, revisión de historias clínicas de pacientes y un grupo focal. Se realizó codificación, categorización, análisis inductivo, validación de resultados con participantes y se logró la saturación temática. Resultados. Se identificaron cuatro temas: i) Cuidados profesionalizados: una enfermería de valor superior ii) sentidos y sentires del cuidado iii) carga de cuidado, factores generadores e impactos y iv) omisión del cuidado como expresión concreta de la carga de trabajo. Conclusión. Los equipos de Enfermería comparados percibieron el cuidado de enfermería de maneras distintas, pues se vivenció a partir de las responsabilidades asignadas y las posibilidades de relacionamiento con los pacientes. En el MAE de la UCI donde predomina el cuidado directo de enfermeras con apoyo AE, se percibió el cuidado como atención holista, integral y empática, mientras que en la UCI donde predomina el cuidado delegado a AE se relacionó con el liderazgo administrativo y la gestión de la sala de UCI. En cuanto a resultados, el MAE de la UCI de cuidado directo por enfermeras mostró mejor desempeño en seguridad del paciente y fue más cercano al nivel de competencias y de responsabilidad legal de los equipos de enfermería.

Objetivo. Analisar em perspectiva comparativa as percepções sobre o cuidado de enfermagem, a relação com os pacientes e os resultados do cuidado em duas equipes de enfermagem de UTI de uma instituição hospitalar de alta complexidade, cujos Modelos de Assistência de Enfermagem (MAE) diferem pela proporção de enfermeiros e auxiliares de enfermagem (AE) por equipe e por tarefas e responsabilidades atribuídas. Métodos.Etnografia particularista com adaptação a metodologias virtuais. Incluiu a caracterização sociodemográfica de 19 enfermeiros e 23 EA, 14 entrevistas semiestruturadas, revisão de prontuários e grupo focal. Codificação, categorização, análise indutiva, validação dos resultados com os participantes foram realizadas e a saturação temática foi alcançada. Resultados. Foram identificados quatro temas: i) Cuidado profissionalizado: enfermagem de valor superior ii) sentidos e sentimentos do cuidado iii) sobrecarga do cuidado, fatores geradores e impactos e iv) omissão do cuidado como expressão concreta da carga de trabalho. Conclusão. As equipes de Enfermagem compararam o cuidado de enfermagem percebido de diferentes maneiras, uma vez que foi vivenciado a partir das responsabilidades atribuídas e das possibilidades de relacionamento com os pacientes. No MAE da UTI onde predomina o cuidado direto por enfermeiros com apoio do EA, o cuidado foi percebido como cuidado holístico, integral e empático, enquanto na UTI onde predomina o cuidado delegado ao EA, estava relacionado à liderança administrativa e gestão da sala da UTI. Em termos de resultados, o MAE da UTI de cuidado direto por enfermeiros apresentou melhor desempenho na segurança do paciente e se aproximou mais do nível de competências e responsabilidade legal das equipes de enfermagem.

Community-Based Psychiatric Services in Sri Lanka: a Model by WHO in the Making.

Sri Lanka is a lower middle-income, small island nation in the Indian Ocean, with a multi-ethnic population of 22 million. The healthcare system of the country is well established and relatively advanced, the delivery of which is free to the consumer. The health indicators of the country are impressive compared to regional figures. Psychiatric care in Sri Lanka has witnessed a rapid development over the last four decades, as the care model transformed from an asylum-based model, established during the British colonial times, to a district-wise hospital-based, care delivery model. Gradually, the teams that provided inpatient and outpatient services at the hospitals also started to provide community-based care. The newly added community-based services include outreach clinics, residential intermediate rehabilitation centres, home-based care, community resource/support centres and telephone help lines. There is no or very little funding dedicated to community-based care services. The teams that deliver community services are funded, mostly indirectly, by the state health authorities. This is so, as these community teams are essentially the same psychiatry teams that are based at the hospitals, which are funded and run by the state health authorities. This lack of separation of the community and hospital teams without separate and dedicated funding is an impediment to service development, which needs to be addressed. However, paradoxically, this also constitutes an advantage, as the provision of care delivery from the hospital to the community is continuous, since the same team provides both hospital- and community-based care. In addition to the essential mental healthcare provision in the community with this basic infrastructure, each community service has improvised and adapted the utilization of other resources available to them, both formally as well as informally, to compensate for their financial and human resource limitations. These other resources are the community officials and the community services of the non-health sectors of the government, mainly the civil administration. Although sustainability may be questionable when services involve informal resources from the non-health sectors, these have so far proven useful and effective in a resource-poor environment, as they bring the community and various sectors together to facilitate services to support their own community.