Sickle Cell Virtual Support Group Program for Adults: An Implementation Evaluation.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with medical and psychosocial challenges. SCD in adulthood is characterized by increased morbidity and mortality, vulnerability, inadequate self-management preparation, and limited social support. This study evaluated the implementation of a virtual support group during the COVID-19 pandemic using an intervention parameters framework evaluation. Participants included six adults living with SCD. Content analysis was conducted for each of the six intervention parameters, and satisfaction scores were summarized. Participants positively evaluated all intervention parameters of the virtual support group. Findings confirmed that a community-engaged intervention supports self-management and establishes key social networks for adult participants.

Correlations of Physical and Psychological Health in Parents of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have social communication difficulties and restricted, repetitive, and/or sensory behaviors or interests. The prevalence of ASD is now 1 in 36 individuals. Parents of individuals with ASD face challenges that can affect their physical and psychological well-being. OBJECTIVE: With the long-term goal to tailor an exercise program, the purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) establish the baseline physical and mental health of parents of individuals with ASD and (2) estimate the relationship of physiologic variables with psychological variables of health for parents of individuals with ASD. METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study (N = 44) explored physical health measures and the correlation between physical and psychological health, using measures of anxiety, stress, parenting depression, and positive thinking for parents who care for individuals with ASD. RESULTS: The common characteristics that these parents shared was high body fat and low physical activity. Body fat was negatively correlated to total step count (r = -0.428, P < .05), grip strength (r = -0.319, P < .5), and total distance walked in the week (r = -0.661, P < .01), and positively correlated to 5-times sit to stand (r = 0.337, P < .05). Low activity correlated to increased parenting stress of advocating for child's needs (r = -0.310, P = .043). CONCLUSIONS: Understanding relationships between physical and psychological health informs effective interventions and support systems for parents. Parents need supports to be able to prioritize exercise. Future studies should include a larger sample to verify these effects.

A Scoping Review of Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Primary Care.

INTRODUCTION: This scoping review was performed to collect, examine, and present literature on interventions promoting the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in U.S. primary health care settings. METHOD: The literature searched was from 2011-2022, in the English language, in PubMed, CINAHL, Psych INFO, Cochrane, and Web of Science, for persons with autism or ASD aged ≤ 18 years. RESULTS: Six studies met the search criteria, including a quality improvement project, a feasibility study, a pilot study, and three primary care provider (PCP) intervention trials. Measured outcomes included: accuracy of diagnosis (n = 4), practice change maintenance (n = 3), time to diagnosis (n = 2), specialty clinic appointment wait time (n = 1), PCP comfort making ASD diagnosis (n = 1), and increased ASD diagnosis (n = 1). DISCUSSION: Results inform future implementation of PCP ASD diagnosis for the most obvious cases of ASD and research evaluating PCP training, using longitudinal measures of PCP knowledge of ASD and intention to diagnose.

Testing the Impact of an Asynchronous Online Training Program With Repeated Feedback.

BACKGROUND: Learning to effectively debrief with student learners can be a challenging task. Currently, there is little evidence to support the best way to train and evaluate a debriefer's competence with a particular debriefing method. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and test an asynchronous online distributed modular training program with repeated doses of formative feedback to teach debriefers how to implement Debriefing for Meaningful Learning (DML). METHODS: Following the completion of an asynchronous distributed modular training program, debriefers self-evaluated their debriefing and submitted a recorded debriefing for expert evaluation and feedback using the DML Evaluation Scale (DMLES). RESULTS: Most debriefers were competent in DML debriefing after completing the modular training at time A, with DMLES scores increasing with each debriefing submission. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the use of an asynchronous distributed modular training program for teaching debriefers how to implement DML.

Parent Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this review were to describe exercise interventions, facilitators, and barriers to physical activity for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature, appraising the validity of each article with Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt's level of evidence, from different databases CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycINFO, PubMed, ProQuest, and Web of Science between 2000 and 2020 was conducted. As the initial search revealed no articles on exercise interventions and only 2 articles with children with autism spectrum disorder, the aim was widened to all parents of children. RESULTS: Forty-five articles were identified on barriers to physical activity including being the primary caregiving parent, perception of guilt and selfishness, and adhering to exercise programs they do as part of research, once research ends. Facilitators for physical activity including parents being more likely to exercise if they can bring their child with them and parents preferring exercise that is a lifelong habit, such as walking. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the lack of research on parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, recommendations include development and testing of interventions for parents of children with this condition including family-based exercise interventions where children and parents have a choice to exercise together.