Training in health coaching skills for health professionals who work with people with progressive neurological conditions: A realist evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Supporting people to self-manage their long-term conditions is a UK policy priority. Health coaching is one approach health professionals can use to provide such support. There has been little research done on how to train clinicians in health coaching or how to target training to settings where it may be most effective. OBJECTIVE: To develop theories to describe how training health professionals in health coaching works, for whom and in what circumstances, with a focus on those working with people with progressive neurological conditions. DESIGN: Realist evaluation using mixed methods (participant observation, pre- and post-training questionnaires, and telephone interviews with participants and trainers). Realist data analysis used to develop and refine theories. INTERVENTION: Two 1-day face-to-face training sessions in health coaching with 11 weeks between first and second days. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Twenty health-care professionals who work with people with neurological conditions in the UK, two training facilitators. RESULTS: Four theories were developed using context-mechanism-outcome configurations to describe how training triggers critical reflection; builds knowledge, skills and confidence; how participants evaluate the relevance of the training; and their experiences of implementing the training. Some participants reported a major shift in practice, and others implemented the training in more limited ways. DISCUSSION: Fully embracing the role of coach is difficult for health professionals working in positions and settings where their clinical expertise appears most highly valued. CONCLUSIONS: Training should address the practicality of using coaching approaches within existing roles, while organizations should consider their role in facilitating implementation.

Patients' and Healthcare Professionals' Experiences and Views of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women: Qualitative Evidence Synthesis and Meta-Ethnography.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common and significant problem for patients, clinicians, and healthcare services. Recurrent UTIs (rUTIs) are common, with a 3% prevalence in the UK. Although acute UTIs have a significant negative impact on the lives of patients, evidence of the impact of rUTIs is limited. To enhance shared decision-making around rUTI management, it is important to understand both the patients' and healthcare professionals' (HCPs') perspectives. The objective of this qualitative evidence synthesis is to understand patients' and HCPs' experiences and views in the management of rUTIs. METHODS: A qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) was performed that included primary qualitative studies involving patients with rUTIs or primary care HCPs who manage patients with rUTIs, up to June 2022. The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, ASSIA, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Epistemonikos, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, OpenGrey, and the Health Management Information Consortium (HMIC). The QES was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022295662). Reciprocal translation was conducted and developed into a line of argument synthesis. We appraised the confidence in our review findings by using GRADE-CERQual. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included in the final review; ten of those included patients, and three included HCPs (one study included both). Our review demonstrates that women with rUTIs have a unique experience, but it is generally of a chronic condition with significant impacts on numerous aspects of their lives. Antibiotics can be "transformative", but patients have serious concerns about their use and feel non-antibiotic options need further research and discussion. HCPs share similar views about the impacts of rUTIs and concerns about antibiotic use and find the management of rUTIs to be complex and challenging. Based on our GRADE-CERQual assessment of the review findings, we have moderate confidence in those related to patients and low confidence in those related to HCPs. New conceptual models for both patients and HCPs are presented. CONCLUSIONS: This review has significant clinical implications. Patients require information on antibiotic alternative acute and preventative treatments for rUTIs, and this is not currently being addressed. There are communication gaps around the impact of rUTIs on patients, their perceived expectation for antibiotics, and the reasons for treatment failure. Further development of current clinical guidance and a patient decision aid would help address these issues.

Conducting invasive urodynamics in primary care: qualitative interview study examining experiences of patients and healthcare professionals.

BACKGROUND: Invasive urodynamics is used to investigate the causes of lower urinary tract symptoms; a procedure usually conducted in secondary care by specialist practitioners. No study has yet investigated the feasibility of carrying out this procedure in a non-specialist setting. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore, using qualitative methodology, the feasibility and acceptability of conducting invasive urodynamic testing in primary care. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted during the pilot phase of the PriMUS study, in which men experiencing bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms underwent invasive urodynamic testing along with a series of simple index tests in a primary care setting. Interviewees were 25 patients invited to take part in the PriMUS study and 18 healthcare professionals involved in study delivery. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a framework approach. RESULTS: Patients generally found the urodynamic procedure acceptable and valued the primary care setting due to its increased accessibility and familiarity. Despite some logistical issues, facilitating invasive urodynamic testing in primary care was also a positive experience for urodynamic nurses. Initial issues with general practitioners receiving and utilising the results of urodynamic testing may have limited the potential benefit to some patients. Effective approaches to study recruitment included emphasising the benefits of the urodynamic test and maintaining contact with potential participants by telephone. Patients' relationship with their general practitioner was an important influence on study participation. CONCLUSIONS: Conducting invasive urodynamics in primary care is feasible and acceptable and has the potential to benefit patients. Facilitating study procedures in a familiar primary care setting can impact positively on research recruitment. However, it is vital that there is a support network for urodynamic nurses and expertise available to help interpret urodynamic results.

The Transition to Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Health Professionals' Experiences.

Background: Identifying the transition from relapsing-remitting to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) can be challenging for clinicians. Little previous research has explored how professionals experience working with patients during this specific stage of the disease. We explored the experiences of a group of multidisciplinary professionals who support patients in the transition to SPMS to describe this stage from a professional perspective. Methods: This qualitative semistructured interview study included 11 professionals (medical, nursing, and allied health professionals; specialists and generalists) working with patients with MS in South Wales, United Kingdom. Thematic analysis of the interview data was performed. Results: Two overarching themes were identified: the transition and providing support. The transition theme comprised issues related to recognizing and communicating about SPMS. Uncertainty influenced recognizing the transition and knowing how to discuss it with patients. The providing support theme included descriptions of challenging aspects of patient care, providing support for caregivers, using the multidisciplinary team, and working within service constraints. Providing adequate psychological support and engaging patients with self-management approaches were seen as particularly challenging. Conclusions: Caring for patients in the transition to SPMS generates specific challenges for professionals. Further research on health-care interactions and patients'/professionals' experiences regarding the transition phase may help identify strategies for professional development and learning and how to optimize the patient experience at this difficult stage of disease.