Unravelling the complexity of research capacity strengthening for health professionals in low- and middle-income countries: A concept analysis.

AIMS: Research capacity strengthening (RCS) is crucial in enhancing healthcare outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which face challenges due to limited resources, unequal access to care and the need for evidence-based decision-making. We seek to move beyond a surface-level understanding of RCS, unearthing the core attributes, the factors that precede its implementation and the transformative outcomes it generates within the LMIC healthcare landscape. DESIGN: This study employs the Walker and Avant approach to concept analysis to comprehensively explore the dimensions and attributes of RCS as it pertains to allied and public health professionals in LMICs, propose empirical referents and suggest an operational definition. DATA SOURCES: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from inception to 27 July 2023, to identify studies on RCS in LMICs. The Walker and Avant approach to concept analysis was selected because it provides a framework for systematically examining and clarifying the meaning and implications of RCS. This method involves a structured process of defining RCS, identifying its attributes, antecedents, consequences and cases, and ultimately providing a clear understanding of its meaning and implications. Identifying empirical referents offers measurable indicators that researchers and policymakers can use to assess the effectiveness of RCS initiatives in LMICs. CONCLUSION: RCS for health professionals in LMICs involves a sustainable process that equips them with essential research skills, fostering the ability to conduct high-quality research and improve healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings. IMPLICATIONS: RCS aims to empower health professionals to apply evidence-based practices, reduce disparities and enhance the well-being of populations in LMICs. IMPACT: Ultimately, a concept analysis of RCS empowers us to harness the full potential of research to enhance healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes and advance the well-being of populations worldwide.

Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening in US Immigrants: A Scoping Review.

INTRODUCTION: Timely colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been shown to improve CRC-related morbidity and mortality rates. However, even with this preventative care tool, CRC screening rates remain below 70% among eligible United States (US) adults, with even lower rates among US immigrants. The aim of this scoping review is to describe the barriers to CRC screening faced by this unique and growing immigrant population and discuss possible interventions to improve screening. METHODS: Four electronic databases were systematically searched for all original research articles related to CRC screening in US immigrants published after 2010. Following a full-text review of articles for inclusion in the final analysis, data extraction was conducted while coding descriptive themes. Thematic analysis led to the organization of this data into five themes. RESULTS: Of the 4637 articles initially identified, 55 met inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis of the barriers to CRC screening identified five unique themes: access, knowledge, culture, trust, health perception, and beliefs. The most cited barriers were in access (financial burden and limited primary care access) and knowledge (CRC/screening knowledge). CONCLUSIONS: US immigrants face several barriers to the receipt of CRC screening. When designing interventions to increase screening uptake among immigrants, gaps in physician and screening education, access to care, and trust need to be addressed through culturally sensitive supports. These interventions should be tailored to the specific immigrant group, since a one-size-fits approach fails to consider the heterogeneity within this population.

Guidelines for Sexual Health Care for Prostate Cancer Patients: Recommendations of an International Panel.

BACKGROUND: Patients with prostate cancer suffer significant sexual dysfunction after treatment which negatively affects them and their partners psychologically, and strain their relationships. AIM: We convened an international panel with the aim of developing guidelines that will inform clinicians, patients and partners about the impact of prostate cancer therapies (PCT) on patients' and partners' sexual health, their relationships, and about biopsychosocial rehabilitation in prostate cancer (PC) survivorship. METHODS: The guidelines panel included international expert researchers and clinicians, and a guideline methodologist. A systematic review of the literature, using the Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, PsychINFO, LGBT Life, and Embase databases was conducted (1995-2022) according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Study selection was based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Each statement was assigned an evidence strength (A-C) and a recommendation level (strong, moderate, conditional) based on benefit/risk assessment, according to the nomenclature of the American Urological Association (AUA). Data synthesis included meta-analyses of studies deemed of sufficient quality (3), using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR). OUTCOMES: Guidelines for sexual health care for patients with prostate cancer were developed, based on available evidence and the expertise of the international panel. RESULTS: The guidelines account for patients' cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity. They attend to the unique needs of individuals with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. The guidelines are based on literature review, a theoretical model of sexual recovery after PCT, and 6 principles that promote clinician-initiated discussion of realistic expectations of sexual outcomes and mitigation of sexual side-effects through biopsychosocial rehabilitation. Forty-seven statements address the psychosexual, relationship, and functional domains in addition to statements on lifestyle modification, assessment, provider education, and systemic challenges to providing sexual health care in PC survivorship. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The guidelines provide clinicians with a comprehensive approach to sexual health care for patients with prostate cancer. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: The strength of the study is the comprehensive evaluation of existing evidence on sexual dysfunction and rehabilitation in prostate cancer that can, along with available expert knowledge, best undergird clinical practice. Limitation is the variation in the evidence supporting interventions and the lack of research on issues facing patients with prostate cancer in low and middle-income countries. CONCLUSION: The guidelines document the distressing sexual sequelae of PCT, provide evidence-based recommendations for sexual rehabilitation and outline areas for future research. Wittmann D, Mehta A, McCaughan E, et al. Guidelines for Sexual Health Care for Prostate Cancer Patients: Recommendations of an International Panel. J Sex Med 2022;19:1655-1669.

Factors that influence how adults select oral over-the-counter analgesics: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Oral over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium are widely used to treat pain. Although generally considered safe, inappropriate use can lead to injury. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore patient attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions about the efficacy and potential risks of oral OTC analgesics and to identify factors that adult patients use to make decisions about these medications. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase to identify studies published in English between January 2000 and June 2019. We included randomized controlled trials, controlled trials, observational studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that included OTC analgesics. Authors worked independently during study selection, data extraction, and analysis and then compared their findings and discussed discrepancies until consensus was reached. We evaluated study quality using the Study Quality Assessment Tool and Critical Appraisal of a Cross-Sectional Study. RESULTS: We identified 10,898 unique articles, of which 53 were included in this systematic review. A total of 36 studies included acetaminophen, 25 included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and 19 did not specify a product. Adults had mixed perceptions about the effectiveness of analgesics. Knowledge of the risks of high doses of acetaminophen (liver toxicity) and NSAIDs (gastrointestinal bleeding or nephrotoxicity) was generally low and declined with less formal education. Individuals with severe or recurrent pain were more likely to exceed the maximum recommended dose of the medication. Although participants reported considering a variety of factors when deciding between different OTC analgesics, there was no clear medication that was generally preferred. Our review was comprehensive; however, the quality of the studies was generally good to fair. CONCLUSION: Adults frequently use oral OTC analgesics and possess a diverse set of beliefs about the efficacy and safety of the products. Pharmacists are well positioned to provide guidance to support the effective and safe use of these products.

Preparation and Rationale for a Patient-Centered Clinical Outcome Assessment Set of Fluid Overload for Drug Development in Nephrotic Syndrome.

Introduction: Fluid overload is a source of substantial morbidity for adults and children with nephrotic syndrome (NS). Preparation and Rationale for a Fluid Overload in Nephrotic Syndrome Clinical Outcomes Assessment Set for Drug Development (Prepare-NS, 5UG3FD007308) was funded by the US Food and Drug Administration to develop a core set of patient-reported and observer-reported (for young children) outcome measures of fluid overload for use in pharmaceutical trials across the lifespan. Methods: The Prepare-NS study team developed the proposed context of use with input from stakeholders. We conducted a scoping review to assess the available literature on relevant patient- and observer-reported measures and performed secondary analyses of existing qualitative and quantitative data. Results: The outcome set will aim to serve individuals 2 years of age and older with primary NS conditions (specifically focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimal change disease, IgM nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, and childhood-onset NS not biopsied). The existing literature describing patient-reported outcomes in NS largely relies on nonspecific measures of health-related quality of life; fluid overload has been associated with lower scores on these measures. Conclusion: To address the gap in measure availability and fluid overload content, the Prepare-NS team has launched a set of qualitative studies for concept elicitation from the population of interest to inform development of new measures. The resulting measures subsequently will undergo psychometric evaluation and validation in a survey study.

Combined Cognitive Training and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Treatments for cognitive dysfunction in neuropsychiatric conditions are urgently needed. Cognitive training and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) hold promise, and there is growing interest in combined or multimodal treatments, though studies to date have had small samples and inconsistent results. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was completed. Retained studies included cognitive training combined with active or sham tDCS in a neuropsychiatric population and reported a posttreatment cognitive outcome. Meta-analyses included effect sizes comparing cognitive training plus active tDCS and cognitive training plus sham tDCS in 5 cognitive domains. Risk of bias in included studies and across studies was explored. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included: 10 in neurodegenerative disorders and 5 in psychiatric disorders (n = 629). There were several tDCS montages, though two-thirds of studies placed the anode over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. A wide variety of cognitive training types and outcome measures were reported. There was a small, statistically significant effect of combined treatment on measures of attention/working memory, as well as small and non-statistically significant effects favoring combined treatment on global cognition and language. There was no evidence of bias in individual studies but some evidence of nonreporting or small-study bias across studies. CONCLUSIONS: These results may provide preliminary support for the efficacy of combined cognitive training and tDCS on measures of attention/working memory. More data are needed, particularly via studies that explicitly align the cognitive ability of interest, stimulation target, training type, and outcome measures.

Multidisciplinary Difficult Airway Team Characteristics, Airway Securement Success, and Clinical Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether implementation of a multidisciplinary airway team was associated with improvement in (1) rate of successful airway securement at first attempt; (2) time to secure airway; and (3) overall complication rate in patients with a difficult airway, as compared with usual care. DATA SOURCES: Ovid Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Central, and CINAHL databases. REVIEW METHODS: Systematic review of literature on inpatient multidisciplinary team management of difficult airways, including all studies performed in inpatient settings, excluding studies of ventilator weaning, flight/military medicine, EXIT procedures, and simulation or educational studies. DistillerSR was used for article screening and risk of a bias assessment to evaluate article quality. Data was extracted on study design, airway team composition, patient characteristics, and clinical outcomes including airway securement, complications, and mortality. RESULTS: From 5323 studies screened, 19 studies met inclusion criteria with 4675 patients. Study designs included 12 quality improvement projects, 6 cohort studies, and 1 randomized controlled trial. Four studies evaluated effect of multidisciplinary difficult airway teams on airway securement; all reported higher first attempt success rate with team approach. Three studies reported time to secure the difficult airways, all reporting swifter airway securement with team approach. The most common difficult airway complications were hypoxia, esophageal intubation, hemodynamic instability, and aspiration. Team composition varied, including otolaryngologists, anesthesiologists, intensivists, nurses, and respiratory care practitioners. CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary difficult airway teams are associated with improved clinical outcomes compared to unstructured emergency airway management; however, studies have significant heterogeneity in team composition, algorithms for airway securement, and outcomes reported. Further evidence is necessary to define the clinical efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and best practices relating to implementing difficult airway teams in inpatient settings.

AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines: Capillary Blood Gas Sampling for Neonatal and Pediatric Patients.

In the absence of an indwelling arterial catheter, capillary blood gas sampling may be used to evaluate the acid/base and ventilation status of neonatal and pediatric patients with cardiorespiratory conditions. These guidelines were developed from a comprehensive review of the literature to provide guidance for the collection, handling, and interpretation of blood obtained from an arterialized capillary sample. Capillary and venous blood gas measurements are a useful alternative to arterial blood gas measurements for neonatal and pediatric patients who do not require close monitoring of [Formula: see text] In the presence of alterations in body temperature, blood pressure, or peripheral perfusion, agreement between a capillary blood gas with an arterial sample is recommended to determine whether changes in these physiologic conditions reduce reliability. Perfusion to the sample site should be assessed and preference given to blood sampling from a well perfused site, and blood should be analyzed within 15 min of sampling to minimize the propensity for pre-analytical errors. Clinicians should consider re-collecting a blood sample, obtained from an artery, vein, or capillary, when the blood gas or analyte result interpretation does not align with the patient's clinical presentation. A pneumatic tube system can be reliably used to transport blood gas samples collected in a syringe and capillary tube to a clinical laboratory for analysis. To reduce the cumulative pain effect and risk of complications, the capillary puncture procedure should be minimized when possible. Non-pharmacologic interventions should be used to reduce pain associated with capillary blood gas sampling. Automatic lancets are preferred to puncture the skin for capillary blood gas collection.

AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines: Artificial Airway Suctioning.

Artificial airway suctioning is a key component of airway management and a core skill for clinicians charged with assuring airway patency. Suctioning of the artificial airway is a common procedure performed worldwide on a daily basis. As such, it is imperative that clinicians are familiar with the most-effective and efficient methods to perform the procedure. We conducted a systematic review to assist in the development of evidence-based recommendations that pertain to the care of patients with artificial airways. From our systematic review, we developed guidelines and recommendations that addressed questions related to the indications, complications, timing, duration, and methods of artificial airway suctioning. By using a modified version of the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method, the following recommendations for suctioning were developed for neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients with an artificial airway: (1) breath sounds, visual secretions in the artificial airway, and a sawtooth pattern on the ventilator waveform are indicators for suctioning pediatric and adult patients, and an acute increase in airway resistance may be an indicator for suctioning in neonates; (2) as-needed only, rather than scheduled, suctioning is sufficient for neonatal and pediatric patients; (3) both closed and open suction systems may be used to safely and effectively remove secretions from the artificial airway of adult patients; (4) preoxygenation should be performed before suctioning in pediatric and adult patients; (5) the use of normal saline solution should generally be avoided during suctioning; (6) during open suctioning, sterile technique should be used; (7) suction catheters should occlude < 70% of the endotracheal tube lumen in neonates and < 50% in pediatric and adult patients, and suction pressure should be kept below -120 mm Hg in neonatal and pediatric patients and -200 mm Hg in adult patients; (8) suction should be applied for a maximum of 15 s per suctioning procedure; (9) deep suctioning should only be used when shallow suctioning is ineffective; (10) routine bronchoscopy for secretion removal is not recommended; and (11) devices used to clear endotracheal tubes may be used when airway resistance is increased due to secretion accumulation.

Interprofessional education faculty development survey: Perspectives on IPE and collaborative practice and COVID-19.

The cancellation of in-person classes in March 2020 due to COVID-19 caused a sudden shift in the educational experiences of health profession students enrolled at the University of Michigan (U-M). With the move to remote learning, educators engaging in interprofessional education (IPE) were faced with the challenge of preparing students for interprofessional collaboration from a distance. A survey was designed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on IPE practices and discover educator development needs. Faculty and staff from 10 health sciences schools within the U-M and Michigan Medicine were invited to complete a survey investigating their use of IPE competencies prior to, during, and after the pandemic; their development needs; and their ideas for future implementation of IPE and collaborative practice. Fifty-six percent of respondents reported their ability to teach IPE competencies was impacted by changes related to COVID. There was a significant (p ≤ 0.001) difference between self-report of incorporating IPE competencies prior to and during pandemic and during and into the future across all five competencies. Technology was reported as a challenge when teaching IPE, and a need for future faculty development. Leveraging virtual and case-based learning and increasing collaboration between schools were identified as ideas for future implementation.