Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among matriculated university students in Singapore during Covid-19 pandemic: findings from a repeated cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a common issue among university students and has been particularly exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, limited research has specifically focused on depression among university entrants. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression severity and identify associated factors during different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic using health screening questionnaires completed by matriculated university students in Singapore. METHODS: A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted at a public university in Singapore. Data from health screening questionnaires administered in 2020 and 2021, involving 15,630 newly enrolled university students, were analyzed. The questionnaires covered students' sociodemographic information, physical health status, own and family medical history, lifestyle behaviours, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 was used to measure the severity of depressive symptoms, categorizing into moderate to severe depressive symptoms (MSDS), mild depressive symptoms (MDS), or no depressive symptom (NDS). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the sociodemographic, physical and behavioural correlates of depression. RESULTS: The prevalence of MSDS was 1% in both 2020 and 2021, while the rates for MDS were 1.93% in 2020 and 1.64% in 2021. In the 2020 cohort, male freshmen who reported better health had a lower likelihood of experiencing depression. Conversely, students of Malay ethnicity, those majoring in Engineering, those with multiple chronic diseases, monthly alcohol consumers, current smokers, and those with a family history of mental disorder had a higher likelihood of experiencing depression. Moreover, students who lived on-campus in the 2021 cohort were less likely to experience depression than those living off-campus. However, the associations between academic majors, alcohol consumption, and smoking with depression were not significant in the 2021 cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study reported a low prevalence of both MSDS and MDS among university entrants in Singapore. The study further identified three categories of factors associated with depression: sociodemographic, physical, and behavioural. This study suggests policy interventions to enhance targeted social support that address each student group's specific requirements and susceptibilities. A more extensive and comprehensive study is warranted to assess the changes in student mental health status post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Recovery needs and psychosocial rehabilitation trajectory of stroke survivors (PReTS): A qualitative systematic review of systematic reviews.

OBJECTIVE: Stroke has a major impact on a person's life. While much research exists on stroke prevention and treatment, explorations into psychosocial recovery needs are lacking. This review critically consolidates the challenges and needs of stroke survivors and develops a trajectory that encapsulates their journey from illness to recovery. DATA SOURCES: Six major databases were searched, including Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, Global Health, Medline, PsycArticles, and PsycINFO. METHODS: This review adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and employed the PICo (population, phenomena of interest, context) framework to screen for relevant qualitative reviews published between 1 January 2010 and 31 August 2023. Following full-text screening and the assessment of methodological quality using a modified version of the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews scale, a total of 17 reviews were included for thematic synthesis. RESULTS: Included reviews referenced 400 qualitative primary studies involving more than 5623 stroke survivors. Data synthesis revealed 18 themes that were further organized into six conceptual categories: (1) The unfamiliar body, (2) compassionate healthcare system, (3) holistic rehabilitation, (4) intrapersonal strength, (5) interpersonal relations, and (6) thriving forward to form the psychosocial rehabilitation trajectory of stroke survivor (PReTS) model. The model recognizes the losses that can occur after a stroke and emphasizes the essentiality of addressing psycho-socio-emotional and spiritual needs alongside physical impairments. CONCLUSION: The PReTS model is the first to highlight stroke survivors' losses, recovery journeys, and psychosocial needs. The conceptualization serves to inform and advance stroke rehabilitation practices with holistic and wellness recovery research.

The gift of here and now at the end of life: Mindful living and dignified dying among Asian terminally ill patients.

OBJECTIVES: In Chochinov's dignity model, living in the here and now (mindful living) is explicitly stated as a dignity-conserving practice. However, what facilitates mindful living remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of mindful living among Asian terminally ill patients. METHODS: This interpretative phenomenological analysis comprised patients aged 50 and above with a prognosis of less than 12 months. Fifty interview transcripts from a larger Family Dignity Intervention study conducted in Singapore were used for the analysis. RESULTS: Findings revealed 12 themes that were organized into 3 axioms of mindful living for dignified dying: (a) purposive self-awareness, (b) family-centered attention, and (c) attitudes of mortality acceptance. Through purposive self-awareness, patients introspected their lived experience with illness and anticipated death to find resilience and contentment. Patients' conscious family-centered attention revolved around their relationships, achievements, and legacy within the family, leading to a deepened sense of interconnectedness with self and beloved others at life's end. Lastly, patients adopted nonjudgmental attitudes of mortality acceptance as they made necessary arrangements in preparation for their death, allowing them to treasure every living moment and obtain a closure in life. An empirical model of mindful living for dignified dying was developed based on these emerging themes, illustrating the interweaving of intention, attention, and attitude for facilitating meaningful living in the face of mortality. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Mindful living is a dignity-preserving practice, which helps terminally ill patients to find tranquility in each present moment despite their impending death. The identified mechanisms of mindful living lay important groundwork for a new understanding and possible directions for culture-specific, mindfulness-based, family-centered interventions suited to terminally ill patients in the Asian context.

Scope, Characteristics, Behavior Change Techniques, and Quality of Conversational Agents for Mental Health and Well-Being: Systematic Assessment of Apps.

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders cause substantial health-related burden worldwide. Mobile health interventions are increasingly being used to promote mental health and well-being, as they could improve access to treatment and reduce associated costs. Behavior change is an important feature of interventions aimed at improving mental health and well-being. There is a need to discern the active components that can promote behavior change in such interventions and ultimately improve users' mental health. OBJECTIVE: This study systematically identified mental health conversational agents (CAs) currently available in app stores and assessed the behavior change techniques (BCTs) used. We further described their main features, technical aspects, and quality in terms of engagement, functionality, esthetics, and information using the Mobile Application Rating Scale. METHODS: The search, selection, and assessment of apps were adapted from a systematic review methodology and included a search, 2 rounds of selection, and an evaluation following predefined criteria. We conducted a systematic app search of Apple's App Store and Google Play using 42matters. Apps with CAs in English that uploaded or updated from January 2020 and provided interventions aimed at improving mental health and well-being and the assessment or management of mental disorders were tested by at least 2 reviewers. The BCT taxonomy v1, a comprehensive list of 93 BCTs, was used to identify the specific behavior change components in CAs. RESULTS: We found 18 app-based mental health CAs. Most CAs had <1000 user ratings on both app stores (12/18, 67%) and targeted several conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression (13/18, 72%). All CAs addressed >1 mental disorder. Most CAs (14/18, 78%) used cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Half (9/18, 50%) of the CAs identified were rule based (ie, only offered predetermined answers) and the other half (9/18, 50%) were artificial intelligence enhanced (ie, included open-ended questions). CAs used 48 different BCTs and included on average 15 (SD 8.77; range 4-30) BCTs. The most common BCTs were 3.3 "Social support (emotional)," 4.1 "Instructions for how to perform a behavior," 11.2 "Reduce negative emotions," and 6.1 "Demonstration of the behavior." One-third (5/14, 36%) of the CAs claiming to be CBT based did not include core CBT concepts. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health CAs mostly targeted various mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression, reflecting a broad intervention focus. The most common BCTs identified serve to promote the self-management of mental disorders with few therapeutic elements. CA developers should consider the quality of information, user confidentiality, access, and emergency management when designing mental health CAs. Future research should assess the role of artificial intelligence in promoting behavior change within CAs and determine the choice of BCTs in evidence-based psychotherapies to enable systematic, consistent, and transparent development and evaluation of effective digital mental health interventions.

Continuity of Care Advocate Model (CCAM): Healthcare Workers' Perspectives on Quality Stroke Care at an Acute Unit, Rehabilitation Center and Community Rehabilitation Program in Singapore.

Physicians, nurses, social workers, and allied health professionals including physiotherapists and occupational therapists play important roles as they work closely with stroke survivors to improve functional independence in daily activities and quality of life. Yet, in Singapore little is known about their perspectives on what constitute quality stroke care based on their clinical experiences. In this project, our qualitative interviews with 15 healthcare workers at a major stroke center in the country yielded a Continuity of Care Advocate Model (CCAM) to help us better understand our participants' experience-based perspectives on quality stroke care. We found that CCAM, constructed based on the perspectives of HCWs across a stroke care continuum, is a holistic model of quality stroke care which prioritizes support for patients and their families throughout the patient's health trajectory. We conclude by discussing how this model is aligned with and differs from current research on definitions of care continuity.

Acceptability and feasibility of a pilot randomized controlled trial of Narrative e-Writing Intervention (NeW-I) for parent-caregivers of children with chronic life-threatening illnesses in Singapore.

BACKGROUND: Narrative e-Writing Intervention (NeW-I) is a novel psycho-socio-spiritual intervention which aims to bridge gaps in paediatric palliative care by providing anticipatory grief support to parent-caregivers who are looking after their child with a chronic life-threatening illness in Singapore. This is done via a therapist-facilitated smartphone app that focuses on strengths and meaning derived from parents' caregiving journey. NeW-I is empirically informed by an international systematic review and a Singapore-based qualitative inquiry on the lived experience of parental bereavement and supported by anticipatory grief interventions literature for improving the holistic well-being for parent-caregivers of seriously ill children. NeW-I is implemented in Singapore as an open-label two-armed randomized controlled trial comprising an intervention and control group. METHODS: This study examined the acceptability (via analysis of participants' post-intervention qualitative feedback and responses to a post-intervention evaluation survey) and feasibility (via records and memos of therapists' experience of delivering the intervention) of NeW-I among 26 intervention participants drawn from the larger trial. RESULTS: Framework analysis of participants' post-intervention feedback revealed four themes, namely: (i) Meaningful opportunity for reflection, (ii) Congruity with parent-caregivers' needs, (iii) Compatibility of online narrative writing and (iv) Sustainability and enhancement recommendations. The post-intervention evaluation survey showed that participants were overall satisfied with their NeW-I experience with a large number of participants acknowledging that NeW-I had improved their spiritual well-being, hopefulness about the future and perception of social support that was available to them, as well as lessened their feelings of sadness and depression, caregiver burden and fear and anxiety about their child's illness. The research team found it feasible to deliver the intervention in the current setting. CONCLUSION: NeW-I is an innovative e-health tool that could immeasurably value-add to paediatric palliative care services for Asian families in Singapore and around the world. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03684382 , Verified: September 2018.

Resolving anticipatory grief and enhancing dignity at the end-of life: A systematic review of palliative interventions.

Anticipatory grief is the experience of grief symptomatology prior to loss. This study is a systematic review of empirical interventions or interventional components that were observed to lessen or adaptively direct the experience of anticipatory grief for patients at the end of life and their family members. A search of 5 major databases found 13,718 articles, of which 10 high-quality randomized controlled trials were included for final review. Lebow's "adaptational tasks of anticipatory mourning" was employed as a working model on the efficacy of the interventions. The interventions exhibited some positive outcomes but none addressed anticipatory grief directly. Recommendations for future research are discussed.

Competing expectations: Advance care planning from the perspectives of doctors and nurses in the South-East Asian context.

This study qualitatively examines the perspectives of doctors and nurses on the implementation of the Advance Care Planning program in Singapore. Findings suggest that a combination of structural and conceptual factors hindered the performance of ACP. Themes on structural factors indicated that low awareness of ACP among senior staff resulted overall lack of buy-in and incorrect implementation of the program due to misconceptions. Conceptual factors pointed to lack of clarity on intended outcomes or roles. Consequently, participants drew meaning through the prism of their profession, resulting in competing expectations and tensions on possible outcomes of the program.

Psychological resilience among palliative patients with advanced cancer: A systematic review of definitions and associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: The palliative journey can be emotionally stressful for both patients with advanced cancer and their families. Psychological resilience is crucial in aiding with patients' adaptation and post-traumatic growth. The aim of this systematic review was to critically examine the definitions of psychological resilience and its associated factors in palliative patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: Four databases were systematically searched from inception to August 2020. Both qualitative and quantitative studies that examined factors associated with psychological resilience in a sample of patients with advanced cancer undergoing palliative care were included. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies met the criteria, of which 10 were qualitative and five were quantitative. Nine studies included a definition of psychological resilience, from which five common themes of buffering, adaptation, resources, recovery, and growth were derived. The quantitative studies found association between resilience and hope, independence, social support, fatigue, emotional distress, and coping strategies. The qualitative studies reported additional sources of resilience such as spirituality, social support, prior experience dealing with illness and life adversity, meaning-making, reconciling with life's finiteness, acceptance of illness, control, determination, positive attitude, dignity, engagement with palliative care and quality of life being supported by palliative care. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed for developing an overarching definition of psychological resilience in palliative advanced cancer patients that acknowledges and appreciates the contextual sensitivity of this concept among different cultural groups. Further studies are also needed to examine a holistic range of bio-psycho-socio-spiritual factors associated with psychological resilience among these patients and their families.

Sustainable implementation of advance care planning in Asia: An interpretive-systemic framework for national development.

OBJECTIVES: A qualitative interpretive-systemic focus group study was conducted to examine the developmental and implementational underpinnings of Asia's first national Advance Care Planning (ACP) programme constituted in Singapore. METHODS: 63 physicians, nurses, medical social workers, and allied health workers who actively rendered ACP were purposively recruited across seven major public hospitals and specialist centers. RESULTS: Framework analysis revealed 19 themes, organized into 5 categories including Life and Death Culture, ACP Coordination, ACP Administration, ACP Outcomes, and Sustainability Shift. These categories and themes formed an Interpretive-Systemic Framework of Sustainable ACP, which reflects the socio-cultural, socio-political, and socio-spiritual contexts that influence ACP provision, highlighting the need to adopt a public health strategy for enhancing societal readiness for end-of-life conversations. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The Interpretive-Systemic Framework of Sustainable ACP underscores the importance of health policy, organizational structure, social discourse, and shared meaning in ACP planning and delivery so as to support and empower care decision-making among terminally ill Asian patients and their families facing mortality.

Blessings or burdens: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study on the motivations and their impact on end-of-life caregiving among Asian family caregivers.

BACKGROUND: While the impact of family caregiving has been well-documented, many of such studies center on investigating external factors such as socioeconomic status, accessibility to resources and availability of social support as the primary causation of caregiver wellbeing outcomes. This paper explores the motivations that drive family caregivers in supporting their family members at the end-of-life, and critically examines how internal appraisal processes of such motivations can both positively and negatively impact their wellbeing. METHODS: This study adopted an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to investigate the motivations and internal appraisal processes of Asian family caregivers in Singapore who were tending to a dying family member. Qualitative dyadic interview data (N = 20) was drawn from a larger Randomized Controlled Trial for a novel Family Dignity Intervention (FDI) for palliative care patients and their families. The sampling population consisted of participants aged 21 and above who were identified to be the primary caregivers of older palliative care patients with a prognosis of less than 12 months. Data collection was conducted in the homes of patients and family caregivers. RESULTS: Findings revealed six themes that could either nurture or diminish caregiver wellbeing: 1) Honoring Fidelity (caregivers were motivated to commit to their caregiving roles in order to avoid regret), 2) Alleviating Suffering (caregivers were motivated to relieve their family member's pain), 3) Enduring Attachment (caregivers were motivated to spend time together with their family member), 4) Preserving Gratitude (caregivers were motivated to express their appreciation to their family member by caregiving), 5) Navigating Change (caregivers were motivated to adapt accordingly to changes in the illness trajectory) and 6) Reconciling with Mortality (caregivers were motivated to respond accordingly to their family member's prognosis). The final theme of the Wellbeing Determinant is posited as an indication of self-determination, and is conjectured to influence how caregiving motivations are appraised by the caregiver. CONCLUSION: Fulfilling and enhancing one's sense of self-determination appears central to infusing one's caregiving motivations with positive meaning, and consequently nurturing one's wellbeing in the end-of-life caregiving journey. These findings are discussed with recommendations for healthcare professionals working with family caregivers of palliative care patients.

Trauma to Transformation: the lived experience of bereaved parents of children with chronic life-threatening illnesses in Singapore.

BACKGROUND: In 2016, over 6.6 million children died globally, and 245 children died in Singapore. Chronic illnesses are prevalent causes of child mortality around the world. Despite growing research that examines the lived experience of parents bereaved by their child's chronic life-threatening illness, there is no such study within the Asian context. METHODS: To bridge this knowledge gap, meaning-oriented, strength-focused interviews were conducted with 25 parental units (i.e. 6 couples, 13 lone mothers, 4 lone fathers, and 2 primary parental figures) who lost their child to chronic life-threatening illness in Singapore (N = 31), including those of Chinese (n = 17), Malay (n = 10) and Indian ethnicities (n = 4), between August 2017 and April 2018. RESULTS: Data analysis adhering to the grounded theory approach revealed 7 themes and 25 sub-themes that were organized into a Trauma-to-Transformation Model of Parental Bereavement. This model shows the major milestones in participants' lived experience of their child's chronic life-threatening illness and death, starting from the diagnosis of their child's chronic life-threatening illness and the subsequent emotional turmoil (Theme 1), the mourning of their child's death and the losses which accompanied the death (Theme 3) and participants' experience of posttraumatic growth through reflection of their journey of caregiving and child loss (Theme 5). The model further describes the deliberate behaviors or 'rituals' that helped participants to regain power over their lives (Theme 2), sustain an intimate bond with their child beyond death (Theme 4), and transcend their loss by deriving positive outcomes from their experience (Theme 6). Finally, the model denotes that the lived experiences and well-being of participants were embedded within the health-and-social-care ecosystem, and in turn impacted by it (Theme 7). CONCLUSION: These themes and their corresponding sub-themes are discussed, with recommendations for enhancing culturally sensitive support services for grieving Asian parents around the globe.

Patient autonomy and participation in end-of-life decision-making: An interpretive-systemic focus group study on perspectives of Asian healthcare professionals.

OBJECTIVES: Asia's first national advance care planning (ACP) program was established in Singapore in 2011 to enhance patient autonomy and self-determination in end-of-life (EoL) care decision-making. However, no known study has examined the extent to which ACP in Singapore successfully met its aims. The purpose of the current study was to examine the attitudes of local healthcare professionals on patients' autonomy in decision-making at the EoL since they strongly influence the extent to which patient and family wishes are fulfilled. METHODS: Guided by the Interpretive-Systemic Framework and Proctor's conceptual taxonomy of implementation research outcomes, an interview guide was developed. Inquiries focused on healthcare professionals' attitudes towards ACP, their clinical experiences working with patients and families, and their views on program effectiveness. Sixty-three physicians, nurses, medical social workers, and designated ACP coordinators who were actively engaged in ACP facilitation were recruited from seven major hospitals and specialist centers in Singapore through purposive sampling. Twelve interpretive-systemic focus groups were conducted, recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic analysis. RESULTS: The extent to which patients in Singapore can exert autonomy in EoL care decision-making is influenced by five themes: (i) collusion over truth-telling to patient, (ii) deferment of autonomy by patients, (iii) negotiating patient self-determination, (iv) relational autonomy as the gold standard and (v) barriers to realization of patient choices. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Healthcare practitioners in Asian communities must align themselves with the values and needs of patients and their family and jointly make decisions that are consistent and congruent with the values of patients and their families. Sensitivity towards such cross-cultural practices is key to enhancing ACP awareness, discourse, and acceptability in Asian communities.

Health Professions' Digital Education: Review of Learning Theories in Randomized Controlled Trials by the Digital Health Education Collaboration.

BACKGROUND: Learning theory is an essential component for designing an effective educational curriculum. Reviews of existing literature consistently lack sufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of digital interventions for health professions' education, which may reflect disconnections among learning theories, curriculum design, use of technology, and outcome evaluation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to identify, map, and evaluate the use of learning theories in designing and implementing intervention trials of health professions' digital education, as well as highlight areas for future research on technology-enhanced education via the establishment of a development framework for practice and research. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Excerpta Medica database, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library), PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Education Resources Information Center, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2007 and 2016. RESULTS: A total of 874 RCTs on digital health education were identified and categorized into online-offline, mobile digital education, and simulation-based modalities for pre and postregistration health professions' education. Of these, 242 studies were randomly selected for methodological review and thematic analysis. Data were extracted by one author using a standardized form, with a (48/242, 20%) random sample extracted by a second author, in duplicate. One-third (81/242, 33.4%) of the studies reported single or multiple learning theories in design, assessment, conceptualization, or interpretation of outcomes of the digital education interventions. Commonly reported learning theories were problem-based learning (16/81, 20%), social learning theory (11/81, 14%), and cognitive theory of multimedia learning (10/81, 12%). Most of these studies assessed knowledge (118/242, 48.8%), skills (62/242, 25.6%), and performance (59/242, 24.3%) as primary outcomes with nonvalidated assessment tools (151/242, 62.4%). Studies with reported learning theories (χ21=8.2; P=.002) and validated instruments (χ21=12.6; P=.006) have shown effective acquisition of learning outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: We proposed a Theory-Technology Alignment Framework to safeguard the robustness and integrity of the design and implementation of future digital education programs for the training of health professionals.

Digital Education of Health Professionals on the Management of Domestic Violence: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by the Digital Health Education Collaboration.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization states that 35% of women experience domestic violence at least once during their lifetimes. However, approximately 80% of health professionals have never received any training on management of this major public health concern. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of health professions digital education on domestic violence compared to that of traditional ways or no intervention. METHODS: Seven electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials from January 1990 to August 2017. The Cochrane Handbook guideline was followed, and studies reporting the use of digital education interventions to educate health professionals on domestic violence management were included. RESULTS: Six studies with 631 participants met our inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of 5 studies showed that as compared to control conditions, digital education may improve knowledge (510 participants and 5 studies; standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.67, 95% CI 0.38-0.95; I2=59%; low certainty evidence), attitudes (339 participants and 3 studies; SMD 0.67, 95% CI 0.25-1.09; I2=68%; low certainty evidence), and self-efficacy (174 participants and 3 studies; SMD 0.47, 95% CI 0.16-0.77; I2=0%; moderate certainty evidence). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of the effectiveness of digital education on health professionals' understanding of domestic violence is promising. However, the certainty of the evidence is predominantly low and merits further research. Given the opportunity of scaled transformative digital education, both further research and implementation within an evaluative context should be prioritized.

Lived experience of a child's chronic illness and death: A qualitative systematic review of the parental bereavement trajectory.

To understand the lived experience of parents who have lost their child to a chronic life-limiting condition, six major databases were searched by adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Articles were screened for appropriateness using the Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type tool, and relevant qualitative studies were selected for full-text data analysis using Thematic Synthesis. Findings were categorized into 13 themes that were further organized into a four-phase trajectory of parental bereavement experience of child loss, namely: Liminal Margin, Holding Space, Navigating Losses, and Reconstructing Lives. The findings are discussed in the light of existing literature with practical recommendations for enhancing parental bereavement support services.

State of advance care planning research: A descriptive overview of systematic reviews.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the current state of research of advance care planning (ACP), highlighting most studied topics, publication time, quality of studies and reported outcomes, and to identify gaps to improve ACP receptivity, utilization, implementation, and outcomes. METHOD: Cochrane methodology for conducting overviews of systematic reviews. Study quality was assessed using a modified version of the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews tool. The following databases were searched from inception to April 2017: MEDLINE, EBM Reviews, Cochrane Reviews, CINAHL, Global Health, PsycINFO, and EMBASE. Searches were supplemented with gray literature and manual searches. RESULT: Eighty systematic reviews, covering 1,662 single articles, show that ACP-related research focuses on nine main topics: (1) ACP as part of end-of-life or palliative care interventions, (2) care decision-making; (3) communication strategies; (4) factors influencing ACP implementation; (5) ACP for specific patient groups, (6) ACP effectiveness; (7) ACP experiences; (8) ACP cost; and (9) ACP outcome measures. The majority of this research was published since 2014, its quality ranges from moderate to low, and reports on documentation, concordance, preferences, and resource utilization outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Despite the surge of ACP research, there are major knowledge gaps about ACP initiation, timeliness, optimal content, and impact because of the low quality and fragmentation of the available evidence. Research has mostly focused on discrete aspects within ACP instead of using a holistic evaluative approach that takes into account its intricate working mechanisms, the effects of systems and contexts, and the impacts on multilevel stakeholders. Higher quality studies and innovative interventions are needed to develop effective ACP programs and address research gaps.

Validating a Cantonese short version of the Zarit Burden Interview (CZBI-Short) for dementia caregivers.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to develop and validate a Cantonese short version of the Zarit Burden Interview (CZBI-Short) for Hong Kong Chinese dementia caregivers. METHODS: The 12-item Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) was translated into spoken Cantonese and back-translated by two bilingual research assistants and face validated by a panel of experts. Five hundred Chinese dementia caregivers showing signs of stress reported their burden using the translated ZBI and rated their depressive symptoms, overall health, and care recipients' physical functioning and behavioral problems. The factor structure of the translated scale was identified using principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis; internal consistency and item-total correlations were assessed; and concurrent validity was tested by correlating the ZBI with depressive symptoms, self-rated health, and care recipients' physical functioning and behavioral problems. RESULTS: The principal component analysis resulted in 11 items loading on a three-factor model comprised role strain, self-criticism, and negative emotion, which accounted for 59% of the variance. The confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor model (CZBI-Short) that explained 61% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha (0.84) and item-total correlations (rho = 0.39-0.71) indicated CZBI-Short had good reliability. CZBI-Short showed correlations with depressive symptoms (r = 0.50), self-rated health (r = -0.26) and care recipients' physical functioning (r = 0.18-0.26) and disruptive behaviors (r = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: The 12-item CZBI-Short is a concise, reliable, and valid instrument to assess burden in Chinese dementia caregivers in clinical and social care settings.

Slow art plus: developing and piloting a single session art gallery-based intervention for mental health promotion via a mixed method waitlist randomized control trial.

Introduction: The current study builds on the expertise of National Gallery Singapore and Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU) in developing and piloting an enhanced version of the Slow Art program, namely "Slow Art Plus" for mental health promotion. Methods: A single-site, open-label, waitlist Randomized Control Trial (RCT) design comprising of a treatment group and waitlist control group was adopted (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05803226). Participants (N = 196) completed three online questionnaires at three timepoints: baseline [T1], immediately post-intervention/s baseline [T2], post-intervention follow-up/immediately post-intervention [T3]. Qualitative focus groups were conducted to evaluate program acceptability. Results: A mixed model ANOVA was performed to understand intervention effectiveness between the immediate intervention group and waitlist control group. The analyses revealed a significant interaction effect where intervention group participants reported an improvement in spiritual well-being (p = 0.001), describing their thoughts and experiences (p = 0.02), and nonreacting to inner experiences (p = 0.01) immediately after Slow Art Plus as compared to the control group. Additionally, one-way repeated measure ANOVAs were conducted for the intervention group to evaluate maintenance effects of the intervention. The analyses indicated significant improvements in perceived stress (p < 0.001), mindfulness (p < 0.001) as well as multiple mindfulness subscales, active engagement with the world (p = 0.003), and self-compassion (p = 0.02) 1 day after the completion of Slow Art Plus. Results from framework analysis of focus group data revealed a total of two themes (1: Experiences of Slow Art Plus, 2: Insights to Effective Implementation) and six subthemes (1a: Peaceful relaxation, 1b: Self-Compassion, 1c: Widened Perspective, 2a: Valuable Components, 2b: Execution Requisites, 2c: Suggested Enhancements), providing valuable insights to the overall experience and implementation of the intervention. Discussion: Slow Art Plus represents a unique approach, offering a standardized, multimodal, single-session program that integrates mindfulness and self-compassion practices, as well as reflective and creative expressions with Southeast Asian art. It demonstrates potential in meeting the mental health needs of a wide range of individuals and could be readily incorporated into social prescribing initiatives for diverse populations.

Living and dying with dignity in Chinese society: perspectives of older palliative care patients in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: the empirical Dignity Model has profoundly influenced the provision of palliative care for older terminally ill patients in the West, as it provides practical guidance and intervention strategies for promoting dignity and reducing distress at the end-of-life. OBJECTIVE: to examine the concept of 'living and dying with dignity' in the Chinese context, and explore the generalisability of the Dignity Model to older terminal patients in Hong Kong. METHODS: using qualitative interviews, the concept of dignity was explored among 16 older Chinese palliative care patients with terminal cancer. Framework analysis with both deductive and inductive methods was employed. RESULTS: the three major categories of themes of the Dignity Model were broadly supported. However, the subtheme of death anxiety was not supported, while two subthemes of generativity/legacy and resilience/fighting spirit manifested differently in the Chinese context. Furthermore, four new emergent themes have been identified. They include enduring pain, moral transcendence, spiritual surrender and transgenerational unity. CONCLUSION: these findings highlight both a cultural and a familial dimension in the construct of dignity, underline the paramount importance of cultural awareness and competence for working with ethnically diverse groups, and call for a culturally sensitive and family oriented approach to palliative care interventions with older Chinese terminal patients.