For, against, and beyond: healthcare professionals' positions on Medical Assistance in Dying in Spain.

BACKGROUND: In 2021, Spain became the first Southern European country to grant and provide the right to euthanasia and medically assisted suicide. According to the law, the State has the obligation to ensure its access through the health services, which means that healthcare professionals' participation is crucial. Nevertheless, its implementation has been uneven. Our research focuses on understanding possible ethical conflicts that shape different positions towards the practice of Medical Assistance in Dying, on identifying which core ideas may be underlying them, and on suggesting possible reasons for this disparity. The knowledge acquired contributes to understanding its complexity, shedding light into ambivalent profiles and creating strategies to increase their participation. METHODS: We conducted an exploratory qualitative research study by means of semi-structured interviews (1 h) with 25 physicians and nurses from primary care (12), hospital care (7), and palliative care (6), 17 women and 8 men, recruited from Madrid, Catalonia, and Andalusia between March and May 2023. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded in Atlas.ti software by means of thematic and interpretative methods to develop a conceptual model. RESULTS: We identified four approaches to MAiD: Full Support (FS), Conditioned Support (CS), Conditioned Rejection (CR), and Full Rejection (FR). Full Support and Full Rejection fitted the traditional for and against positions on MAiD. Nevertheless, there was a gray area in between represented by conditioned profiles, whose participation cannot be predicted beforehand. The profiles were differentiated considering their different interpretations of four core ideas: end-of-life care, religion, professional duty/deontology, and patient autonomy. These ideas can intersect, which means that participants' positions are multicausal and complex. Divergences between profiles can be explained by different sources of moral authority used in their moral reasoning and their individualistic or relational approach to autonomy. CONCLUSIONS: There is ultimately no agreement but rather a coexistence of plural moral perspectives regarding MAiD among healthcare professionals. Comprehending which cases are especially difficult to evaluate or which aspects of the law are not easy to interpret will help in developing new strategies, clarifying the legal framework, or guiding moral reasoning and education with the aim of reducing unpredictable non-participations in MAID.

"A gente só quer ser atendida com profissionalismo": experiências de pessoas trans sobre atendimentos de saúde em Curitiba-PR, Brasil / "We just want to be treated with professionalism": Experiences of trans people about health care in Curitiba-PR, Brazil

Resumo Introdução: Pessoas trans pertencem a um grupo marginalizado e vulnerável na sociedade e sofrem com dificuldades no atendimento no sistema de saúde. Este estudo objetivou compreender o processo saúde-doença-cuidado dessas pessoas e seu acesso aos serviços de saúde na cidade de Curitiba-PR, Brasil. Metodologia: Pesquisa qualitativa hermenêutica, por meio de dez entrevistas semiestruturadas com pessoas trans de Curitiba, que foram gravadas, transcritas e codificadas. Apreenderam-se as experiências e percepções sobre a saúde desses sujeitos e suas trajetórias de atendimento no sistema de saúde, analisando-se pela perspectiva hermenêutica. Resultados: As narrativas mostram que ainda há muito despreparo dos profissionais da saúde, e isso gera situações de desconforto à população trans. Essas experiências moldam a conduta dessa população frente aos serviços de saúde, muitas vezes evitando-os. Toda essa dificuldade no acesso à saúde gera questões de saúde mental e sentimentos de ideação suicida. Conclusão: O estudo evidenciou a falta de reconhecimento e de aceitação da forma que pessoas trans se expressam e a existência de uma série de ações discriminatórias por parte dos trabalhadores da saúde. A compreensão dessas dificuldades aponta para o que pode ser modificado para garantir um acesso à saúde de maior qualidade para essa população.

Abstract Introduction: Trans people belong to a marginalized and vulnerable group in society and suffer from difficulties in receiving care in the health system. This study aimed to understand the health-disease-care process of trans people and their access to health services in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Methodology: Qualitative hermeneutic research, through semi-structured interviews with ten trans persons from Curitiba. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded and submitted to hermeneutic analysis. Analysis enabled to understand participants' experiences and perceptions about their health and trajectories of care in the health system. Results: The narratives showed that there is still a lot of unpreparedness of health professionals and this produces discomfortable care for the trans persons. These experiences shape the behavior of the trans population towards health services, often avoiding them. All this difficulty in accessing health care generates mental health issues and feelings of suicidal ideation. Conclusion: The study highlighted the lack of recognition and acceptance of the way trans people express themselves and the existence of several discriminatory actions practiced by health workers. Understanding these challenges points to what need to be improved, such as increasing access and the healthcare quality for this population.

Satisfacción de pacientes y prestadores de servicios en el Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología / Satisfaction of Patients and Service Providers in the Institute of Hematology and Immunology

Introducción: La satisfacción del paciente y el prestador de servicio asistencial de salud es una variable multidimensional de la calidad en la atención médica. La comunicación, la atención y cortesía, el tiempo de espera percibido, la aplicación de una tecnología de avanzada y una infraestructura idónea son los factores que se deben trabajar para incrementar dicha satisfacción. Objetivo: Identificar el nivel de satisfacción de pacientes, familiares y prestadores de servicios en el Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, durante cinco años (2017-2021). El universo lo conformaron 1004 personas, seleccionados mediante un muestreo aleatorio simple. Se aplicaron para la evaluación de la satisfacción las técnicas de encuestas y entrevistas. Resultados: Se identificó el nivel de satisfacción de las personas respecto a las dimensiones evaluadas sobresaliendo en más del 90 por ciento el trato recibido, la eficiencia en los servicios prestados y la privacidad en salas de asistencia médica. Resultó ser de un 93 por ciento el compromiso y la entrega de los prestadores de servicios y más del 70 por ciento del personal se capacitó. Se analizaron varios indicadores a partir de encuestas de tipo cerradas, abiertas y entrevistas. Conclusiones: La identificación del nivel de satisfacción de pacientes, familiares y prestadores de servicios permite mitigar o eliminar la mayoría de las inconformidades lo que contribuye a la mejora en los servicios asistenciales, docentes e investigativos, que avalan los logros alcanzados por el instituto en la actualidad(AU)

Introduction: Patient and healthcare provider satisfaction is a multidimensional variable of healthcare quality. Communication, care and politeness, the perceived waiting time, the application of advanced technology, as well as an adequate infrastructure, are the factors that should be worked on to increase such satisfaction. Objective: To identify the level of satisfaction of patients, family members and service providers at the Institute of Hematology and Immunology. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out during five years (2017-2021). The universe consisted of 1004 people, selected by simple random sampling. The survey and interview techniques were used to evaluate satisfaction. Results: The level of satisfaction of the people was identified, with respect to the evaluated dimensions; received treatment, efficiency of provided services and privacy in medical care rooms stood out in more than 90 percent. The commitment and dedication of the service providers was 93 percent, while more than 70 percent of the personnel received training. Several indicators were analyzed based on closed or open-ended surveys and interviews. Conclusions: The identification of the level of satisfaction among patients, family members and service providers allows mitigating or eliminating most of the nonconformities, contributing to the improvement in care, teaching and research services, which confirms the achievements attained by the institute nowadays(AU)

Atenção à Saúde Mental de crianças e adolescentes negros e o racismo / Atención a la salud mental de niños y adolescentes negros y el racismo / Mental health assistance for black children and adolescents and racism

O objetivo deste trabalho é identificar estratégias utilizadas por uma equipe de um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Infantojuvenil (Capsij) na assistência a crianças e adolescentes pretos e pardos com problemas de saúde. Seus pressupostos apoiaram-se no vasto campo de estudos das relações raciais, paradigma pelo qual são feitas também as análises. Participaram 18 trabalhadores do Capsij - Brasilândia; as entrevistas foram guiadas por um questionário semiestruturado e a análise temática para interpretação dos dados foi organizado tendo raça/cor como categoria analítica. Os resultados mostram que cuidado a crianças e adolescentes que manifestam sofrimentos pela vivência do racismo, ou que o tem como uma dimensão importante, demanda do profissional espaços de sensibilização, informação e letramento para as formações raciais, assim como convoca a elaboração de estratégias de enfrentamento ao racismo institucional, sobretudo em perspectiva intersetorial.(AU)

Identificar estrategias utilizadas por un equipo de un Centro de Atención Psicosocial infantojuvenil (CAPSij) en la asistencia a niños y adolescentes negros y mulatos con problemas de salud. Las presuposiciones de este trabajo se apoyaron en el vasto campo de estudios de las relaciones raciales, paradigma a partir del cual se realizan también los análisis. Participaron 18 trabajadores del CAPSij - Brasilândia; las entrevistas fueron guiadas por un cuestionario semiestructurado y el análisis temático para la interpretación de los datos se estructuró teniendo raza/color como categoría analítica. Los resultados muestran que el cuidado a niños y adolescentes que manifiestan sufrimientos por la vivencia del racismo, o que lo tienen como una dimensión importante, demanda del profesional espacios de sensibilización, información y aprendizaje para las formaciones raciales, así como convoca la elaboración de estrategias de enfrentamiento al racismo institucional, sobre todo en perspectiva intersectorial.(AU)

The study aimed to identify strategies used by a team of a Psychosocial Care Center (CAPSij) to assist black and brown children and adolescents with health problems. The assumptions of the study were supported by the vast field of studies on race relations, the paradigm that also underpinned the analyses. Eighteen workers from the Brasilândia CAPSij were interviewed. The interviews were guided by a semi-structured questionnaire and the thematic analysis for data interpretation was structured having race/color as the analytical category. The results showed that the provision of care for children and adolescents who express suffering due to the experience of racism, or who have it as an important dimension, demands, of the professional, spaces for awareness, information and literacy regarding racial formations. In addition, it calls for the development of strategies to combat institutional racism, especially in an intersectoral perspective.(AU)

How Should Clinicians Execute Critical Force Interventions With Compassion, Not Just Harm Minimization, as a Clinical and Ethical Goal?

Responsibly determining whether and when to use potentially lifesaving force when caring for patients who are acutely mentally ill typically requires carefully applying 2 key ethical standards. First, short-term morbidity or mortality risk must be minimized. Second, potential long-term harm to a patient who is traumatized during a forcibly performed intervention and potential long-term consequences to a patient's trust in clinicians must be seriously considered. This article suggests these minimum standards in mental health care decision making are necessary but insufficient. It is proposed that clinicians' intentions and motivations should not be grounded merely in harm minimization; rather, they should be grounded in compassion maximization. The article then proposes criteria for what compassion maximization would look like in response to a case.

Does participation in ethics discussions have an impact on ethics decision-making? A cross-sectional study among healthcare professionals in paediatric oncology.

PURPOSE: The overall aim of this study was to describe perceptions of the decision-making process in relation to participation/non-participation in ethics discussions among healthcare professionals in paediatric oncology. METHODS: Healthcare professionals, working at three paediatric units where ethics discussions where performed answered a study-specific questionnaire focusing on perceptions of involvement, influence, responsibility and understanding of ethics decision-making. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, non-parametric paired t-tests and correlation tests. RESULTS: Participation in ethics discussions was related to perceptions of greater involvement and the possibility of influencing decisions, as well as formal/shared responsibility for the ethics decisions related to patient care. Medical doctors and registered nurses perception of involvement in decisions, possibility to influence and responsibility decreased when they were not present during the ethics discussion or when no ethics discussion was conducted at all. Healthcare professionals had a generally good understanding of the ethical issues and the ethics decisions. The whole group considered medical doctors to be the most important participants in the ethics discussions, followed by patients/family. Healthcare professionals wanted more teamwork and viewed ethics discussions as very helpful for teamwork when dealing with ethical issues in paediatric oncology. CONCLUSIONS: Ethics discussions in paediatric oncology practice increases the involvement within and the understanding of the decision-making process about ethical decisions. The understanding is not always dependent on participation, indicating a great trust in team members. Based on these findings the implementation of a structure for ethics support in paediatric oncology where patients/families are integrated is recommended.

Can Clinical Empathy Survive? Distress, Burnout, and Malignant Duty in the Age of Covid-19.

The Covid-19 crisis has accelerated a trend toward burnout in health care workers, making starkly clear that burnout is especially likely when providing health care is not only stressful and sad but emotionally alienating; in such situations, there is no mental space for clinicians to experience authentic clinical empathy. Engaged curiosity toward each patient is a source of meaning and connection for health care providers, and it protects against sympathetic distress and burnout. In a prolonged crisis like Covid-19, clinicians provide care out of a sense of duty, especially the duty of nonabandonment. We argue that when duty alone is relied on too heavily, with fear and frustration continually suppressed, the risk of burnout is dramatically increased. Even before Covid-19, clinicians often worked under dehumanizing and unjust conditions, and rates of burnout were 50 percent for physicians and 33 percent for nurses. The Covid-19 intensification of burnout can serve as a wake-up call that the structure of health care needs to be improved if we are to prevent the loss of a whole generation of empathic clinicians.

Formação ética de profissionais de saúde: contribuições de uma vivência interprofissional / Ethical education of health professionals: the contributions of an interprofessional experience / Formación ética de profesionales de salud: contribuciones de una vivencia interprofesional

Pesquisa qualitativa que objetivou compreender as influências de uma vivência acadêmica interprofissional e extracurricular na formação ética de estudantes da saúde. Realizaram-se entrevistas narrativas com participantes do Programa Vivências e Estágios na Realidade no Sistema Único de Saúde (VER-SUS). As narrativas das entrevistas foram submetidas à Análise de Conteúdo Temática e analisadas à luz de teorias de educação moral. Emergiram as seguintes categorias analíticas: "intencionalidade das atividades", "relações interpessoais e características do processo educativo" e "reflexões éticas". Os resultados evidenciaram que os valores que fundamentaram a intencionalidade e caracterizaram as atividades foram essenciais para a reflexividade que influencia a construção de identidades morais e éticas. Apontam ainda direcionamentos à universidade comprometida não apenas com a formação profissional, mas também com a educação integral do ser humano, propondo a manutenção do VER-SUS e o estímulo para a implantação/ampliação da educação interprofissional em saúde. (AU)

We conducted a qualitative study aimed at understanding the influence of an extracurricular interprofessional academic experience on the ethical education of health students. Narrative interviews were conducted with participants of the Experiences and Internships in Reality Program in the Brazilian National Health System (VER-SUS). We performed a thematic content analysis of the interview narratives, drawing on moral education theories. The following analytical categories were identified: "intentionality of activities"; "interpersonal relations and features of the educational process"; and "ethical reflections". The findings show that the values underpinning intentionality and characterizing the activities are essential for the reflexivity that influences the construction of moral and ethical identities. The findings also indicate directions for a university committed not only to professional education, but also to the integral education of the human being, proposing the maintenance of the VER-SUS and promotion of the implementation/expansion of interprofessional health education. (AU)

Investigación cualitativa con el objetivo de entender las influencias de una vivencia académica interprofesional y extracurricular en la formación ética de estudiantes del área de la salud. Se realizaron entrevistas narrativas con participantes del Programa Vivencias y Pasantías en la Realidad en el Sistema Brasileño de Salud (VER-SUS). Las narrativas de las entrevistas se sometieron al Análisis de Contenido Temático y se analizaron a la luz de teorías de educación moral. Surgieron las siguientes categorías analíticas: "intencionalidad de las actividades", "relaciones interpersonales y características del proceso educativo" y "reflexiones éticas". Los resultados pusieron en evidencia que los valores que fundamentaron la intencionalidad y caracterizaron las actividades fueron esenciales para la reflexividad que influye en la construcción de identidades morales y éticas. También señalan direcciones para la universidad comprometida no solo con la formación profesional, sino con la educación integral del ser humano, proponiendo el mantenimiento del VER-SUS y el incentivo para la implantación/ampliación de la educación interprofesional en salud. (AU)

Discapacidad y su atención por personal sanitario en hospital de tercer nivel en Honduras / Disability and its attention by health personnel in a third level hospital in Honduras

Antecedentes: El 25% de hospitalizaciones pueden re- querir rehabilitación y en Honduras la discapacidad en hospitales no ha sido considerada. Objetivo: Determinar proporción de discapaci- dad en pacientes hospitalizados y conocimientos, actitudes y prácti- cas (CAP) del personal sanitario en discapacidad/rehabilitación, Hos- pital Escuela, agosto 2016. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal, en pacientes mayores de 18 años hospitalizados aplicándoles cues- tionario World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) para identiicar discapacidad. Al personal de salud se le aplicó instrumento para identiicar CAP de rehabilitación en personas con discapacidad. Se realizó análisis univariado; se obtuvo consen- timiento informado escrito. Resultados: De 235 pacientes, 86.8% (204) tenía discapacidad. De éstos, 68.1% (139) edad 18-59 años, 53.4% (109) sexo femenino, 57.8% (118) discapacidad moderada- completa. Sólo en 5.4% (11) se solicitó interconsulta con Servicio de Rehabilitación tras una semana desde ingreso. De 114 participantes del personal sanitario, 50.9% (58) tenía conocimiento deiciente; en- fermeras profesionales 60.9% (14) y auxiliares de enfermería 75.0% (30); actitudes fueron positivas excepto reconocer no manejo integral en pacientes 50.9% (58), médicos especialistas 30.4% (7) y 32.1% (9) médicos residentes. De 9 prácticas evaluadas, 4 fueron menos rea- lizadas: postura antiequino, liberación de prominencias óseas 39.5% (45), respectivamente; manejo de cavidad oral 50.0% (57), sedesta- ción en cama 50.9% (58); menos realizadas por médicos residentes 54.6% y auxiliares de enfermería 58.5%. Discusión: Existe alta propor- ción de discapacidad con pobre respuesta posiblemente derivada de conocimiento deiciente y baja realización de buenas prácticas en re- habilitación. Debe capacitarse al personal sanitario en reconocer la dis- capacidad y mejorar trabajo en equipo con Servicio de Rehabilitación...(AU)

Estilo de liderazgo y actitud al cambio organizacional en profesionales sanitarios durante COVID-19 / Leadership style and attitude to organizational change among health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introducción: La pandemia por COVID-19 está generando cambios en las organizaciones de salud y en los profesionales sanitarios que se encuentran en primera línea de atención al paciente y deben tomar decisiones asertivas para que su liderazgo ante su equipo de trabajo sea efectivo ante cualquier situación. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre el estilo de liderazgo y la actitud ante el cambio organizacional en profesionales con un enfoque sanitario - tecnológico durante la COVID-19. Métodos: Se realizó estudio descriptivo, prospectivo y correlacional que incluyó a 215 químico farmacéuticos colegiados y habilitados que laboran en el sector público y privado, y que tienen acceso a sistemas informáticos para realizar el proceso de gestión de suministro de medicamentos. La primera variable se midió mediante el Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) versión corta 5X, mientras que la segunda variable se midió a partir del cuestionario de actitud ante el cambio organizacional. Ambos instrumentos utilizaron la escala de Likert y fueron sometidos a validez y confiabilidad para adaptarlos al contexto peruano. Resultados: Los profesionales Químico Farmacéuticos presentaron un nivel medio en el estilo de liderazgo y en la actitud al cambio organizacional. Sin embargo, en el análisis inferencial, se encontró una relación directa y significativa entre las variables de estudio. Conclusiones: Los niveles moderados de estilos transaccional, transformacional, correctivo y pasivo/evitador se pueden mejorar para lograr un liderazgo óptimo que gestione las transformaciones con mejores niveles de aceptación y así evitar la resistencia al cambio organizacional(AU)

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is generating changes in health organizations and front-line healthcare workers, who should take assertive decisions so that their leadership in their work teams is effective in the face of any situation. Objective: Determine the relationship between leadership style and attitude toward organizational change among professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, applying a health technology approach. Methods: A descriptive prospective correlational study was conducted of 215 qualified collegiate pharmaceutical chemists from the public and the private sectors who have access to information systems to conduct the drug supply management process. The first variable was measured with the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) 5X short form and the second with the questionnaire of attitude toward organizational change. Both tools applied the Likert scale and were evaluated for validity and reliability to adapt them to the Peruvian context. Results: Pharmaceutical chemistry professionals showed to have a medium level in both leadership style and attitude toward organizational change. However, inferential analysis revealed a direct significant relationship between the study variables. Conclusions: The moderate levels of transactional, transformational, corrective and passive / avoidant styles may be improved to achieve optimum leadership capable of dealing with transformations with better acceptance levels, preventing resistance to organizational change(AU)

The Pandemic Effect: Raising the Bar for Ethics, Empathy, and Professional Collegiality.

The widespread, tragic loss of life and the dedication of health care professionals have characterized the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic. While we mourn the loss of so many Americans to this novel virus, we also much acknowledge the positive effects to our profession, which are not insignificant. We have witnessed our larger community of otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons pulling together in a manner not heretofore observed by this author. From the local level of practitioners to our national societies, there has been an amazing effort of collegial unity to develop the most clinically relevant guidelines for providing patient care with maximal safety, in the face of little scientific knowledge or experience with this virus. In addition, we as a specialty and individual otolaryngologists have, through our shared experiences, raised the bar for empathy, ethics, and professional interaction during these difficult times. We must reflect upon our professional growth and capture this renewal of altruism that lives at the heart of our calling.

Treating the SARS-CoV-2-positive patient with cancer: A proposal for a pragmatic and transparent ethical process.

The treatment of patients with cancer who test positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses unique challenges. In this commentary, the authors describe the ethical rationale and implementation details for the creation of a novel, multidisciplinary treatment prioritization committee, including physicians, frontline staff, an ethicist, and an infectious disease expert. Organizational obligations to health care workers also are discussed. The treatment prioritization committee sets a threshold of acceptable harm to patients from decreased cancer control that is justified to reduce risk to staff. The creation of an ethical, consistent, and transparent decision-making process involving such frontline stakeholders is essential as departments across the country are faced with decisions regarding the treatment of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients with cancer.

Recognizing and Managing Polypharmacy in Advanced Illness.

Older adults, particularly those late in life, are at higher risk for medication misadventure, yet bear the burden of increasing polypharmacy. It is incumbent on practitioners who care for this vulnerable population to use one or more approaches to deprescribe medications that impose a greater burden than benefit, including medically futile medications. It is essential that health care providers use compassionate communication skills when explaining these interventions with patients and families, pointing out that this is a positive, patient-centric intervention.

When to break the news and whose responsibility is it? A cross-sectional qualitative study of health professionals' views regarding disclosure of BRCA genetic cancer risk.

OBJECTIVES: Disclosure of a hereditary condition in the family poses notable challenges for patients who often seek the assistance of genetic health professionals (GHPs). This study aimed to investigate GHPs' opinions about the ideal time for disclosure to offspring and their responsibility to at-risk relatives. DESIGN: Cross-sectional qualitative study. SETTING: Genetic familial cancer clinics related to mostly secondary and tertiary care hospitals and centres in urban, regional and rural areas across all states of Australia. PARTICIPANTS: GHPs (N=73) including clinical geneticists, genetic counsellors, medical specialists, nurses, surgeons and mental health specialists (eg, psychiatrists, psychologists) who had worked with BRCA1 and BRCA2 families for an average of 9 years. RESULTS: Focus groups and interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. GHPs perceived that life stage, maturity, parents' knowledge and capacity to disseminate information influenced parent-offspring disclosure. In general, GHPs recommended early informal conversations with offspring about a family illness. GHPs considered that facilitation of disclosure to relatives using counselling strategies was their responsibility, yet there were limitations to their role (eg, legal and resource constraints). Variability exists in the extent to which genetic clinics overcome challenges to disclosure. CONCLUSIONS: GHPs' views on the ideal time for the disclosure of genetic risk are generally dependent on the patient's age and relative's ability to disclose information. A responsibility towards the patient and their at-risk relative was widely accepted as a role of a GHP but views vary depending on legislative and specialty differences. Greater uniformity is needed in genetic procedural guidelines and the role of each discipline (eg, geneticists, genetic counsellors, oncologists, nurses and mental health specialists) in genetic clinics to manage disclosure challenges.

Law, Culture, and Fear: A Qualitative Study of Health Professionals' Perceptions of Narcotic Use Related to Cancer Pain.

Studies have shown barriers to appropriate narcotic use in the Middle East have negatively impacted patient outcomes. This study aimed to explore health professionals' perspectives regarding opioid use for cancer patients in Qatar. Eight focus groups were conducted with physicians, pharmacists, and nurses. An eight-question topic guide framed discussions and targeted contextual barriers and cultural beliefs. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to identify the following themes: narcotic use process, patient-related factors, and healthcare professional-related factors. Laws and regulations were identified as major barriers to appropriate narcotic access, prescribing, and administration. Government-imposed restrictions on permitted dispensed quantities and associated paperwork impeded continuity of patient care and pain relief. The influence of a patient's culture underpinned patient-related barriers, including fear of addiction and family members discouraging opioid use. Fear of prescribing for patient addiction and accusation of inappropriate prescribing by authorities were identified as health professional-related barriers. Facilitators included patient and provider education, as well as the availability of specialized teams to assess and treat cancer-related pain. Findings show narcotic utilization is not simply influenced by a single factor or subset of factors but by a multitude of factors that can be both independent and interrelated.

Health-care providers' concern regarding smoking cessation pharmacotherapies during pregnancy: Calls to a teratology information service.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Few smokers use smoking cessation pharmacotherapies during pregnancy. It is hypothesised that health-care providers' reluctance due to safety concerns contributes to their low use. This study examined the extent of providers' concern regarding smoking cessation pharmacotherapies, relative to other medications in the same and other pregnancy risk categories. Calls made to a teratology information service (MotherSafe, Australia) were taken as a proxy indicator of concern regarding safety during pregnancy. DESIGN AND METHODS: The primary exposure discussed in 66 687 calls made to MotherSafe between 2001 and 2016 was categorised as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion, varenicline or category A (low risk), B1, B2, B3, C, D or X (teratogenic). Separate logistic regression models estimated the odds that calls regarding pharmacotherapies were from providers, relative to medications in the same and other risk categories. Models adjusted for caller remoteness and socio-economic status. RESULTS: Calls regarding bupropion were more likely to be made by providers than calls regarding other medications in its corresponding risk category [B2, adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17, 6.59]. Calls about varenicline were also more likely to be from providers than calls regarding other category B3 medications (aOR 95% CI 2.33:1.30, 4.17). Calls regarding NRT were not more or less likely to be from providers than calls regarding other category D medications. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Providers were more concerned about bupropion and varenicline than other medications within the same pregnancy risk categories. As this overestimation of risk may limit cessation pharmacotherapy use during pregnancy, research investigating strategies for correcting this imbalance is warranted.

Spiritual care performed in a drug user clinic / El cuidado espiritual realizado en una unidad de internación en adición / O cuidado espiritual realizado em uma unidade de internação em adição

ABSTRACT Objective: To know the spiritual care practices of health workers in the context of an inpatient unit for the treatment of addictive disorders, aiming to incorporate an expanded care practice. Method: Qualitative study considering the Convergent Care Research theoretical framework. The data collection occurred using semi-structured interviews, with three rounds of conversations and informal chats with 14 health professionals, from July to November 2017. The analysis followed the steps of apprehension, synthesis, theorization and transference. Results: Four categories emerged: respect for user ethical values; addressing the beliefs and values of professionals; the health professional-user relationship; and collective spiritual care. The main actions highlighted were individual (relaxation and prayer) and collective (meditation, spirituality and the 12 steps). Conclusion: The rounds of conversations carried out in this research allowed workers to talk about spiritual care in addiction, to better understand its relevance to meet the needs of the patient.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Conocer las prácticas de cuidado espiritual de los trabajadores de la salud en el contexto de una unidad de hospitalización para el tratamiento de trastornos adictivos, con el objetivo de incorporar una práctica de atención ampliada. Método: Estudio cualitativo con referencial metodológico de la Investigación Convergente Asistencial. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas, tres rondas de conversaciones y conversaciones informales con 14 trabajadores de salud en una internación por adición de julio a noviembre de 2017. El análisis de las informaciones siguió las etapas de aprehensión, síntesis, teorización y transferencia. Resultados: Surgieron cuatro categorías: respeto de los valores éticos de los usuarios; creencias y valores de la persona; relaciones profesional de salud-usuario; y cuidado espiritual en grupo. Las principales acciones destacadas fueron individuales (relajación y oración) y colectivas (meditación, espiritualidad y 12 pasos). Conclusión: Las rondas de conversaciones, realizadas en esta investigación, permitieron a los trabajadores conversar sobre el cuidado espiritual en la adición, comprendiendo mejor su relevancia asistencial para atender las necesidades del paciente.

RESUMO Objetivo: Conhecer as práticas de cuidado espiritual de trabalhadores de saúde no contexto de uma unidade de internação para o tratamento de transtornos aditivos, visando incorporar uma prática assistencial ampliada. Método: Estudo qualitativo com referencial metodológico da Pesquisa Convergente Assistencial. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas, três rodadas de conversas e conversas informais com 14 trabalhadores de saúde em uma unidade de internação em adição de julho a novembro de 2017. A análise das informações seguiu as etapas apreensão, síntese, teorização e transferência. Resultados: Emergiram quatro categorias: evocação dos valores éticos dos trabalhadores; respeito às crenças e valores do usuário; encontro trabalhador de saúde-usuário e cuidado espiritual em grupo. As principais ações destacadas foram individuais (relaxamento e oração) e coletivas (meditação, espiritualidade e 12 passos). Conclusão: As rodadas de conversas, realizadas nesta pesquisa, permitiram aos trabalhadores conversarem sobre o cuidado espiritual na adição, compreendendo melhor a sua relevância assistencial para atender às necessidades do paciente.

Pautas éticas y operativas para la evaluación ética acelerada de investigaciones en seres humanos relacionadas con el COVID-19 / Ethical and operational guidelines for the accelerated ethical evaluation of human research related to COVID-19

Ante la pandemia de COVID-19 la primera obligación es responder a las necesidades de atención de salud de las personas y comunidades afectadas. Al mismo tiempo, resulta un deber realizar investigaciones que generen evidencia para mantener, promover y mejorar la atención de la salud, la toma de decisiones y la definición de políticas en salud para el tratamiento y mitigación de la pandemia. La conducción de investigación durante la emergencia sanitaria conlleva mayores desafíos que los habituales. Demanda generar conocimiento rápidamente para dar respuesta a la pandemia, asegurar la validez científica de las investigaciones, respetar los principios éticos en su realización y mantener la confianza de la comunidad. Esta tarea requiere de la colaboración y solidaridad de la comunidad científica, investigadores, patrocinadores, comités evaluadores, personal de salud, autoridades sanitarias y la sociedad, para encontrar el mejor modo de evitar retrasos en la realización de las investigaciones. En este contexto, los comités de ética en investigación (CEI) deberían formular procedimientos para una evaluación ética rigurosa de las investigaciones en seres humanos que, a su vez, aseguren la existencia de mecanismos rápidos y flexibles para dar una respuesta eficiente a los tiempos y necesidades de una emergencia sanitaria. Estas recomendaciones buscan orientar a los CEI en el desarrollo de procedimientos operativos para una evaluación acelerada de proyectos de investigación relacionados con el COVID-19.