Break From Digital Screen Using Digital Detox Program in Nursing Students.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an 8-week digital detox program on digital screen use among 300 nursing students and explored associations between screen use and demographic variables. A one-group pretest posttest design was employed using the Social Media Addiction Scale Student Form. The digital detox program was implemented for 8 weeks. Digital hygiene, self-reflection and goal setting, mental wellness, screen time management, physical health, interpersonal relationships, digital detox challenges, and hobby-based activities. Chi-square test was employed to determine the associations between digital screen use and demographic variables, respectively. t-tests were conducted to compare the mean screen time across different demographic groups. Results showed that 42% of students had high social media use, while 20% had low use. The overall mean score of social media use decreased significantly from 64.13 to 47.79 postintervention (p < 0.05), indicating the program's effectiveness. The study suggests incorporating digital detox routines to balance technology use with health, productivity, and external connections.

Optimizing the use of twitter for research dissemination: The "Three Facts and a Story" randomized-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Published research promoted on twitter reaches more readers. Tweets with graphics are more engaging than those without. However, data are limited regarding how to optimize multimedia tweets for engagement. METHODS: The "Three facts and a Story" trial is a randomized-controlled trial comparing a tweet featuring a graphical abstract to paired tweets featuring the personal motivations behind the research and a summary of the findings. Fifty-four studies published by the Journal of Hepatology were randomized at the time of online publication. The primary endpoint was assessed at 28-days from online publication with a primary outcome of full-text downloads from the website. Secondary outcomes included page views and twitter engagement including impressions, likes, and retweets. RESULTS: Overall, 31 studies received standard tweets and 23 received story tweets. Five studies were randomized to story tweets but crossed over to standard tweets for lack of author participation. Most papers tweeted were original articles (94% standard, 91% story) and clinical topics (55% standard, 61% story). Story tweets were associated with a significant increase in the number of full text downloads, 51 (34-71) vs. 25 (13-41), p = 0.002. There was also a non-significant increase in the number of page views. Story tweets generated an average of >1,000 more impressions than standard tweets (5,388 vs. 4,280, p = 0.002). Story tweets were associated with a similar number of retweets, and a non-significant increase in the number of likes. CONCLUSION: Tweets featuring the authors and their motivations may increase engagement with published research.

Toward Better Data Dashboards for US Drug Value Assessments.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the use of data dashboards to convey information about a drug's value, and reduce the need to collapse dimensions of value to a single measure. METHODS: Review of the literature on US Drug Value Assessment Frameworks, and discussion of the value of data dashboards to improve the manner in which information on value is displayed. RESULTS: The incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year ratio is a useful starting point for conversation about a drug's value, but it cannot reflect all of the elements of value about which different audiences care deeply. Data dashboards for drug value assessments can draw from other contexts. Decision makers should be presented with well-designed value dashboards containing various metrics, including conventional cost per quality-adjusted life-year ratios as well as measures of a drug's impact on clinical and patient-centric outcomes, and on budgetary and distributional consequences, to convey a drug's value along different dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: The advent of US drug value frameworks in health care has forced a concomitant effort to develop appropriate information displays. Researchers should formally test different formats and elements.

Delivering eye health education to deprived communities in India through a social media-based innovation.

In this article, Chandrani Maitra, with her supervisor, Prof. Jennifer Rowley, reports on her PhD research conducted at Manchester Metropolitan University. This research aimed to develop understanding of the benefits of, and the challenges associated with the use of social media to disseminate eye health information in deprived communities in India. Such communities typically have a low level of access to health information, as the result of poor literacy, poverty, lack of women's empowerment, cultural practices, society dynamics, and medical malpractice. This study used an intervention based on the social media platform, WhatsApp, to educate a group of women volunteers so that they were able to contribute to the management of the eye health of their family, friends, and neighbours. Interviews were conducted with deprived community members (DCMs), community healthcare advocates (CHAs) and, healthcare professionals (HCPs). The DCMs reported a number of benefits associated with their participation in the eye health intervention. CHAs and HCPs agreed that an extended roll out of the intervention had potential to deliver benefits, but expressed concerns that some of the ongoing social challenges facing deprived communities might act as barriers to progress. F.J.

Information behaviour of the millennial generation: a scoping review of medical residents and their use of social media.

BACKGROUND: Medical residents can offer ideas for new information services, as most of them are 'digital natives', although reviews of the use of social media in health care settings do not provide data on their information behaviour. OBJECTIVE: A scoping review aimed at providing a research map for the information behaviour of medical residents and their use of social media, listing the aspects of the information behaviour studied and the theories and methods used. METHODS: A search was carried out in pubmed, embase, cinahl and lisa in April of 2018, with the results limited to the period from 2010 onwards. RESULTS: Thirty-nine relevant articles from 38 different studies were identified. The presence and use of social media was the most researched aspect, followed by information sharing, the relationships established and, finally, the search for and use of information. These aspects are researched mainly from the point of view of doctor-patient interactions. Only one study incorporated a theory of its design. Surveys were the most frequently used method. CONCLUSION: Research does not delve into medical residents' information behaviour on social media, despite the residents themselves using these media (in the context of everyday life, at least). More research is required.

#BlackBreastsMatter: Process Evaluation of Recruitment and Engagement of Pregnant African American Women for a Social Media Intervention Study to Increase Breastfeeding.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, there are lower rates of breastfeeding among African American mothers, particularly those who are younger women. Recent epidemiological studies have shown a strong association of more aggressive types of breast cancer (estrogen receptor negative) among African American women, with a higher risk in African American women who did not breastfeed their children. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the process evaluation of recruitment and educational strategies to engage pregnant African American participants for a pilot study designed to determine whether social media messaging about breast cancer risk reduction through breastfeeding may positively influence breastfeeding rates. METHODS: This pilot study is conducted in collaboration with a local Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) organization and hospital and prenatal clinics of a local health care network. To engage African American women to enroll in the study, several methods and monitoring processes were explored, including WIC electronic text-based messages sent out to all phones of current WIC recipients (referred to as e-blasts); keyword responses to texts from flyers and posters in local community-based organizations, hospitals, and prenatal clinics; keyword responses using electronic links posted in established Facebook groups; and snowball recruitment of other pregnant women by current participants through Facebook. Once enrolled, participants were randomized to 2 study conditions: (1) an intervention group receiving messages about breast cancer risk reduction and breastfeeding or (2) a control group receiving breastfeeding-only messages. Data were obtained through electronic monitoring, SurveyMonkey, qualitative responses on Facebook, focus groups, and interviews. RESULTS: More than 3000 text messages were sent and received through WIC e-blasts and keyword responses from flyers. A total of 472 women were recruited through WIC e-blast, and 161 responded to flyers and contacts through the local health care network, community-based organizations, Facebook, and friend referrals. A total of 633 women were assessed for eligibility to participate in the study. A total of 288 pregnant African American women were enrolled, consented, and completed presurvey assessments (102.8% of the goal), and 22 participants attended focus groups or interviews reporting on their experiences with Facebook and the educational messages. CONCLUSIONS: This process evaluation suggests that using electronic, smartphone apps with social media holds promise for both recruitment and conduct of health education intervention studies for pregnant African American women. Providing messaging and resources through social media to reinforce and educate women about breastfeeding and potentially provide lactation support is intriguing. Convenience (for researchers and participants) is an attribute of social media for this demographic of women and worthy of further research as an educational tool. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03680235; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03680235.

Influence of Social Media Platforms on Public Health Protection Against the COVID-19 Pandemic via the Mediating Effects of Public Health Awareness and Behavioral Changes: Integrated Model.

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing body of literature examining social media in health contexts, including public health communication, promotion, and surveillance, limited insight has been provided into how the utility of social media may vary depending on the particular public health objectives governing an intervention. For example, the extent to which social media platforms contribute to enhancing public health awareness and prevention during epidemic disease transmission is currently unknown. Doubtlessly, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) represents a great challenge at the global level, aggressively affecting large cities and public gatherings and thereby having substantial impacts on many health care systems worldwide as a result of its rapid spread. Each country has its capacity and reacts according to its perception of threat, economy, health care policy, and the health care system structure. Furthermore, we noted a lack of research focusing on the role of social media campaigns in public health awareness and public protection against the COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan as a developing country. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of social media platforms on public health protection against the COVID-19 pandemic via public health awareness and public health behavioral changes as mediating factors in Jordan. METHODS: A quantitative approach and several social media platforms were used to collect data via web questionnaires in Jordan, and a total of 2555 social media users were sampled. This study used structural equation modeling to analyze and verify the study variables. RESULTS: The main findings revealed that the use of social media platforms had a significant positive influence on public health protection against COVID-19 as a pandemic. Public health awareness and public health behavioral changes significantly acted as partial mediators in this relationship. Therefore, a better understanding of the effects of the use of social media interventions on public health protection against COVID-19 while taking public health awareness and behavioral changes into account as mediators should be helpful when developing any health promotion strategy plan. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the use of social media platforms can positively influence awareness of public health behavioral changes and public protection against COVID-19. Public health authorities may use social media platforms as an effective tool to increase public health awareness through dissemination of brief messages to targeted populations. However, more research is needed to validate how social media channels can be used to improve health knowledge and adoption of healthy behaviors in a cross-cultural context.

Social media and drug resistance in nursing training: Using a Twitterchat to develop an international community of practice for antimicrobial resistance.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a Twitterchat focusing on antimicrobial resistance and it is feasibility for integration within a nursing prelicensure research methods class. BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats to global health and food security. Consequently, developing a global approach with large outreach is critical. Twitter, as a popular social media platform, is useful for creating communities of practice and communities of interest. DESIGN: A case study design using a Twitterchat is a hosted, convened and focussed discussion on a particular topic using a discrete hashtag. METHOD: Using a standardised protocol, a Twitterchat was undertaken over a 24-hr period and digital metrics assessed at 72 hr. A summary of impact was undertaken using an online tool provided by Union Metrics (https://unionmetrics.com/). CONCLUSIONS: At 72 hr, 2,632,762 accounts were reached and over 10 million impressions achieved. Twitterchats can be useful in creating awareness and fostering a community of interest and demonstrating the role of nurses in thought leadership. A formalised research study will draw on this case study to evaluate the impact on the Twitter participants and nursing students. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Social media are an accessible and useful tool to harness focus and attention on clinical issues with global relevance. Demonstrating the utility and leverage to nursing students is important in increasing their understanding of the importance of communication and diffusion of information.

Fulfilling information needs of patients in online health communities.

BACKGROUND: Online health communities (OHCs) experience difficulties in utilising patient reported posts to fulfil the information needs of online patients concerning health related issues. OBJECTIVES: We aim to propose a comprehensive method that leverages medical domain knowledge to extract useful information from posts to fulfil information needs of online patients. METHODS: A knowledge representation framework based on authoritative knowledge sources in the medical field for the OHC is proposed. On the basis of the framework, a health related information extraction process for analysing the posts in the OHC is proposed. Then, knowledge support rate (KSR) and effective information rate (EIR) are introduced as metrics to evaluate changes in knowledge extracted from the knowledge sources in terms of fulfilling the information needs of patients in the OHC. RESULTS: On the basis of a data set with 372 343 posts in an OHC, experimental results indicate that our method effectively extracts relevant knowledge for online patients. Moreover, KSR and EIR are feasible metrics of changes in knowledge in terms of fulfilling the information needs. CONCLUSIONS: The OHCs effectively fulfil the information needs of patients by utilising authoritative domain knowledge in the medical field. Knowledge based services for online patients facilitate an intelligent OHC in the future.

Self-management recommendations for sickle cell disease: A content analysis of websites.

This authors report on the findings of a study designed to establish website-based self-management recommendations for sickle cell disease. Google and Yahoo search engines were used to search the World Wide Web. Purposive sampling was used to select 28 websites that met the inclusion criteria. Data were manually collected from health education materials and subjected to qualitative content analysis. Self-management was conceptualized as actions involving preventive health, self-monitoring, self-diagnosing, and self-treatment. The results show that the websites recommend more self-management actions for preventive health and self-treatment than for self-monitoring and self-diagnosis. Frequent oral fluid intake, limitation of overactivity, eating a healthy diet, avoiding extreme temperatures, and infections were the most common preventive health recommendations. Daily pain monitoring and general bodily inspections were the most frequent self-monitoring recommendations. Commonly cited self-diagnostic indicators were fever, persistent pain, enlarged spleen, and leg ulcers. The use of analgesics and nonpharmacological measures were regularly cited for self-treatment. Most recommendations were assessed as clinically safe as they align with standards for sickle cell management. Nurses and other professionals should teach clients how to assess the credibility of websites.

A WeChat-based "Three Good Things" positive psychotherapy for the improvement of job performance and self-efficacy in nurses with burnout symptoms: A randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of a WeChat-based "Three Good Things" on job performance and self-efficacy of clinical nurses with burnout symptoms. BACKGROUND: Few studies have valued the impact of nurses' personal strengths and positive work environment on job performance, particularly in developing countries. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial. The intervention group (n = 33) participated in WeChat-based Three Good Things, while the control group (n = 40) did not. Data were collected prior to and immediately after the intervention. WeChat, a popular social software, provides several communicating and recording functions. RESULTS: The main intervention effects and interactions between time and intervention on job performance and self-efficacy were significant (each p < .05). The main time effects on self-efficacy were also significant (p < .05). The post-intervention scores for job performance and self-efficacy between the two groups were statistically different (each p < .05). The scores for job performance and self-efficacy of the intervention group were statistically different before and after the intervention (each p < .05). CONCLUSION: Three Good Things could significantly improve job performance and self-efficacy of nurses with burnout. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nurse managers are recommended to include Three Good Things into their management systems to improve nurses' physical and mental health and work outcomes over the long term.

Patient Experiences and Perceptions Associated with the Use of Desiccated Thyroid Extract.

Background and objectives: It is unclear why many patients with hypothyroidism prefer the use of desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) as a thyroid hormone replacement formulation over levothyroxine (LT4) treatment, as recommended by clinical practice guidelines. We analyzed patient-reported information from patient online forums to better understand patient preferences for and attitudes toward the use of DTE to treat hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study by evaluating the content of online posts from three popular hypothyroidism forums from patients currently taking DTE (n = 673). From these posts, we extracted descriptive information on patient demographics and clinical characteristics and qualitatively analyzed posts' content to explore patient perceptions on DTE and other therapies further. Results: Nearly half (46%) of the patients reported that a clinician initially drove their interest in trying DTE. Patients described many reasons for switching from a previous therapeutic approach to DTE, including lack of improvement in hypothyroidism-related symptoms (58%) and the development of side effects (22%). The majority of patients described DTE as moderately to majorly effective overall (81%) and more effective than the previous therapy (77%). The most frequently described benefits associated with DTE use were an improvement in symptoms (56%) and a change in overall well-being (34%). One-fifth of patients described side effects related to the use of DTE. Qualitative analysis of posts' content supported these findings and raised additional issues around the need for individualizing therapy approaches for hypothyroidism (e.g., a sense of each patient has different needs), as well as difficulties obtaining DTE (e.g., issues with pharmacy availability). Conclusions: Lack of individualized treatment and a feeling of not been listened to were recurrent themes among DTE users. A subset of patients may prefer DTE to LT4 for many reasons, including perceived better effectiveness and improved overall well-being, despite the risks associated with DTE.

Authentic Connections Groups: A Pilot Test of an Intervention Aimed at Enhancing Resilience Among Nurse Leader Mothers.

BACKGROUND: Nurse leaders who are mothers are at significant risk for experiencing stress, burnout, and occupational fatigue. Authentic Connections (AC) Groups is an intervention shown to be effective for fostering resilience among at-risk moms, including physicians; however, it has not previously been tested with nurse leaders. AIMS: Our aims were to test the feasibility and acceptability of the AC Groups intervention with nurse leader mothers and examine its effects on participant resilience, as measured by increased self-compassion and decreased distress, depression, perceived stress, and burnout. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial design was employed for this pilot study, with 36 nurse leaders at Mayo Clinic. AC participants attended group sessions for an hour per week for 12 weeks. Control group members were provided 1 hr per week of free time over 12 weeks. Multiple self-report psychological measures were completed at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: The AC Groups intervention was feasible and well-received by nurse leaders. Session attendance rates averaged 92%. Despite the small n's, repeated measures of Analysis of Variance showed significantly greater improvements (p < .05) for participants in the AC Groups than control condition for depression, self-compassion, and perceived stress, with large effect sizes ( η p 2 0.18-0.22). In addition, effect sizes for anxiety and feeling loved approximated the moderate range ( η p 2 0.05 and .07). LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: The AC intervention shows promise as a feasible intervention for mitigating nurse leader mothers' stress by positively impacting indices of well-being, including depression, self-compassion, and perceived stress. Given, the prevalence of stress and burnout among nurse leaders, the effectiveness of the AC intervention in fostering resilience in this population has significant implications for research and practice. Further research is warranted with larger numbers from multiple sites, longer follow-up periods, and biomarker measures of stress.

Readability Assessment of Online Rhytidectomy Patient Information.

Patients frequently access online resources for medical information. The National Institutes of Health and the American Medical Association recommend that to be understood by the average American, patient information should be presented at or below the sixth to seventh academic grade level. The popularity of rhytidectomy (facelift) is rising, and providers are frequently using the Internet to attract patients. All rhytidectomy information provided by 100 private practice Web sites in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix was analyzed using Readable.io software. The information was also assessed using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning-Fog Index, Coleman-Liau Index, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, Automated Readability Index, Flesch Reading Ease Score, and Fry Reading Graph tools. Analyzed material was written at a higher academic grade level than recommended for the average American. The overall average grade level was 10.99 ± 1.39. Online patient education materials about rhytidectomy provided by private practice clinics in 5 major cities of the United States were written at academic grade levels above the National Institutes of Health and American Medical Association recommended levels. This may lead to rhytidectomy patients having unrealistic or inaccurate expectations related to their surgical procedure.

The effects of the combined exercise intervention based on internet and social media software (CEIBISMS) on quality of life, muscle strength and cardiorespiratory capacity in Chinese postoperative breast cancer patients:a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) patients who undergo surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy have limitations on physical activity which will lead to a decreased quality of life and poor physical fitness level. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the combined exercise intervention based on internet and social media software (CEIBISMS) on postoperative breast cancer patients by evaluating their quality of life, muscle strength and cardiorespiratory capacity. METHODS: This study was a randomized control trial with an intervention period of 12 weeks. Sixty participants (30 in each group, 42-60 years old, female) were recruited through an outpatient department. Procedure of exercise in the intervention group included: via phone step-recording app, ask the individuals to complete the target number of steps within a specified period of exercise, four times per week; face-to-face remote video instruction of individuals on muscle training, three times per week; via social media apps daily push common knowledge of physical exercise BC rehabilitation. The control group received traditional treatment and rehabilitation according to daily specifications of the hospital. The primary outcome was quality of life and the secondary outcomes were muscle strength and cardiorespiratory capacity. RESULTS: Experiments using a Short Form 36 showed that the CEIBISMS yielded significantly better results than traditional methods, in vitality (p = 0.009), mental health (p = 0.001) and reported health transition (p = 0.048) by week 12. The CEIBISMS resulted in significant improvement in the stand-up and sit-down chair test (p < 0.0001), arm lifting test (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: The CEIBISMS offered rehabilitative effects in quality of life (QOL) and muscle strength of postoperative patients with breast cancer (BC) in China. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-IPR-17012368 . Trial registered on 14 August, 2017.

Facebook advertising for recruitment of midlife women with bothersome vaginal symptoms: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The MsFLASH (Menopause Strategies: Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health) Network recruited into five randomized clinical trials (n = 100-350) through mass mailings. The fifth trial tested two interventions for postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms (itching, pain, irritation, dryness, or pain with sex) and thus required a high level of sensitivity to privacy concerns. For this trial, in addition to mass mailings we pilot tested a social media recruitment approach. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of recruiting healthy midlife women with bothersome vulvovaginal symptoms to participate in the Vaginal Health Trial through Facebook advertising. METHODS: As part of a larger advertising campaign that enrolled 302 postmenopausal women for the 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Vaginal Health Trial from April 2016 to February 2017, Facebook advertising was used to recruit 25 participants. The target population for recruitment by mailings and by Facebook ads included women aged 50-70 years and living within 20 miles of study sites in Minneapolis, MN and Seattle, WA. Design of recruitment letters and Facebook advertisements was informed by focus group feedback. Facebook ads were displayed in the "newsfeed" of targeted users and included a link to the study website. Response rates and costs are described for both online ads and mailing. RESULTS: Facebook ads ran in Minneapolis for 28 days and in Seattle for 15 days, with ads posted and removed from the site as needed based on clinic flow and a set budget limit. Our estimated Facebook advertising reach was over 200,000 women; 461 women responded and 25 were enrolled at a cost of US$14,813. The response rate per estimated reach was 0.22%; costs were US$32 per response and US$593 per randomized participant. The social media recruitment results varied by site, showing greater effectiveness in Seattle than in Minneapolis. We mailed 277,000 recruitment letters; 2166 women responded and 277 were randomized at a cost of US$98,682. The response rate per letter sent was 0.78%; costs were US$46 per response and US$356 per randomized participant. Results varied little across sites. CONCLUSION: Recruitment to a clinical trial testing interventions for postmenopausal vaginal symptoms is feasible through social media advertising. Variability in observed effectiveness and costs may reflect the small sample sizes and limited budget of the pilot recruitment study.

Google AdWords and Facebook Ads for Recruitment of Pregnant Women into a Prospective Cohort Study With Long-Term Follow-Up.

Objectives Several types of epidemiologic studies suffer from decreasing participation rates, resulting in potential selection bias and delay or termination of studies. We aimed to determine the feasibility of online methods for recruitment of pregnant women into a prospective cohort study. Methods In addition to traditional recruitment through prenatal care providers, we advertized participation in the PRegnancy and Infant DEvelopment (PRIDE) Study, an ongoing prospective cohort study with long-term follow-up in The Netherlands enrolling women in early pregnancy, through Google AdWords (30 days) and Facebook Ads (31 and 27 days) campaigns between September 2016 and January 2017. We calculated costs per eligible participant and compared demographics, health-related characteristics, and follow-up rates between participants recruited through online methods and prenatal care providers. Results During the study period, we recruited six women through AdWords (€54.28 per participant), 59 through Facebook (€10.17 per participant), and 327 through prenatal care providers (no valid cost estimate available). Facebook participants seemed to be younger (29.0 vs. 30.7 years), to have a higher body mass-index and/or low/intermediate education (27.0 vs. 24.0 kg/m2 and 41 vs. 25%, respectively), and to start prenatal care in secondary care more often (12 vs. 5%) than participants recruited through prenatal care providers. Item non-response and loss to follow-up rates were higher among women recruited online than among those recruited through prenatal care providers. Conclusion Google AdWords did not contribute substantially, but Facebook Ads may complement traditional recruitment methods of pregnant women into prospective cohort studies, despite challenges that may threaten internal validity.

Caregivers' perspectives and experiences of withdrawing acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in advanced dementia: a qualitative analysis of an online discussion forum.

BACKGROUND: There is considerable uncertainty surrounding the medications used to delay the progression of dementia, especially their long-term efficacy and when to withdraw treatment with these agents. Current research regarding the optimal use of antidementia medication is limited, contributing to variability in practice guidelines and in clinicians' prescribing practices. Little is currently known about the experiences encountered by caregivers of people with dementia after antidementia medication is withdrawn. AIM: To investigate the experiences and perspectives of carers and family members when antidementia medications (cholinesterase inhibitors and/or memantine) are stopped, by analysing archived threads and posts of an online discussion forum for people affected by dementia. METHODS: Archived discussions from Talking Point, an online discussion forum hosted by the Alzheimer's Society UK, were searched for threads discussing antidementia medication withdrawal and relevant threads were analysed thematically using the Framework method. Participant demographics were not established due to usernames which ensured anonymity. RESULTS: Four key themes emerged: (1) expectations about withdrawal, (2) method of withdrawal, (3) clinical condition on withdrawal, and (4) the effect of withdrawal on caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Online discussion forums such as Talking Point provide dementia carers with an outlet to seek help, offer advice and share experiences with other members. The study findings highlight the complexity surrounding optimising dementia pharmacotherapy and antidementia medication withdrawal, highlighting the need for treatment to be person-centred and highly individualised.

Latino Health Perceptions in Rural Montana: Engaging Promotores de Salud Using Photovoice Through Facebook.

The primary purposes of this study were to use photovoice with Facebook to explore health perceptions and health needs among promotores living in rural Montana and to build community among geographically dispersed promotores. Seven promotores participated in a photovoice project where they uploaded photographs and shared comments in a private Facebook group. Emergent themes based on the promotores' health perceptions, discussions, and interviews were transcribed and coded. Findings of this study will be used to assess health perceptions and needs of the promotores and Latino community in rural Montana.

Validation of Two Automatic Blood Pressure Monitors With the Ability to Transfer Data via Bluetooth.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic diseases are in need of regular health controls. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is currently the most prevalent chronic metabolic disease. A majority of diabetic patients have at least one comorbid chronic disease, where hypertension is the most common. The standard for blood pressure (BP) measurement is manual BP monitoring at health care clinics. Nevertheless, several advantages of self-measured BP have been documented. With BP data transfer from an automatic BP monitor via Bluetooth to software, for example, a smartphone app, home measurement could effectively be integrated into regular care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate two commercially available automatic BP monitors with the ability to transfer BP data via Bluetooth (Beurer BM 85 and Andersson Lifesense BDR 2.0), against manual BP monitoring in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A total of 181 participants with type 2 diabetes were recruited from 6 primary care centers in Stockholm, Sweden. BP was first measured using a manual BP monitor and then measured using the two automatic BP monitors. The mean differences between the automatic and manual measurements were calculated by subtracting the manual BP monitor measurement from the automatic monitor measurement. Validity of the two automatic BP monitors was further assessed using Spearman rank correlation coefficients and the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: In total, 180 participants, 119 men and 61 women, were included. The mean age was 60.1 (SD 11.4) years and the mean body mass index was 30.4 (SD 5.4) kg/m2. The mean difference between the Beurer BM 85 and the manual BP monitor was 11.1 (SD 11.2) mmHg for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 8.0 (SD 8.1) mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The mean difference between the Andersson Lifesense BDR 2.0 and the manual BP monitor was 3.2 (SD 10.8) mmHg for SBP and 4.2 (SD 7.2) mmHg for DBP. The automatic BP measurements were significantly correlated (P<.001) with the manual BP measurement values (Andersson Lifesense BDR 2.0: r=0.78 for SBP and r=0.71 for DBP; Beurer BM 85: r=0.78 for SBP and r=0.69 for DBP). CONCLUSIONS: The two automatic BP monitors validated measure sufficiently accurate on a group level, with the Andersson Lifesense BDR 2.0 more often falling within the ranges for what is acceptable in clinical practice compared with the Beurer BM 85.