Framework Development: Standardizing Definition of Advanced Practice Radiation Therapy Activities for Clinical Workload Quantification.

Purpose: Advanced practice (AP) in radiation therapy (RT) is being implemented around the globe. In an effort to advance the understanding of the similarities and differences in APRT roles in Ontario, Canada, a community of practice (CoP) sought ways to provide quantitative data on the nature of APRT clinical activities and the frequency with which these activities were being executed. Methods: In 2017, a consensus building project involving 20 APRTs and 14 radiation therapy (RT) department managers in Ontario was completed to establish a mechanism to quantify APRTs' clinical impact. In Round 1 & 2, expert feedback was gathered to generate an Advanced Practice (AP) Activity List. In Round 3: 20 APRTs completed an online survey to assess the importance and applicability of each AP Activity to their role using Likert scale (0-5). A final AP Activity List & Definitions was generated. Results & discussion: Round 1: Forty-seven AP activities were identified. Round 2: 3/14 RT managers provided 145 feedback statements on Round 1 AP Activity List. The working group used RT managers' feedback to clarify AP activities and definitions, specifically merging 33 unique AP activities to create 11 inclusive AP activities and eliminating 8 activities identified from Round 1. The most inclusive AP activity created was #1 New Patient Consultation, this AP Activity is merged from 7 unique AP activities. Incorporating RT managers' feedback with the internal AP clinical workload lists from 2 Ontario cancer centres resulted in a revised AP Activity List with 20 AP inclusive activities. Round 3: 14/20 APRTs provided Likert scores on this revised list. The most applicable AP activities (mean score) were #16 Technical Consultation (4.0), #15 Contouring Target Volume (3.8) and #2 Planning Consultation (3.8); the least applicable was #18 MR Applicator Assessment (0.9). Conclusions: This is the first systematic attempt to build consensus on AP clinical activities. Non-clinical APRT activities related to research, education, innovation, and program development were not in the scope of this project. The Final AP Activity List & Definitions serves as a framework that allows standardized and continuous monitoring of AP clinical activities and impact.

The Effects of Immersive Virtual Reality-Assisted Experiential Learning on Enhancing Empathy in Undergraduate Health Care Students Toward Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment: Multiple-Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Immersive virtual reality (IVR)-assisted experiential learning has the potential to foster empathy among undergraduate health care students toward older adults with cognitive impairment by facilitating a sense of embodiment. However, the extent of its effectiveness, including enhancing students' learning experiences and achieving intended learning outcomes, remains underexplored. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the impacts of IVR-assisted experiential learning on the empathy of undergraduate health care students toward older people with cognitive impairment as the primary outcome (objective 1) and on their learning experience (objective 2) and their attainment of learning outcomes as the secondary outcomes (objective 3). METHODS: A multiple-methods design was used, which included surveys, focus groups, and a review of the students' group assignments. Survey data were summarized using descriptive statistics, whereas paired 2-tailed t tests were used to evaluate differences in empathy scores before and after the 2-hour IVR tutorial (objective 1). Focus groups were conducted to evaluate the impacts of IVR-assisted experiential learning on the empathy of undergraduate health care students toward older people with cognitive impairment (objective 1). Descriptive statistics obtained from surveys and thematic analyses of focus groups were used to explore the students' learning experiences (objective 2). Thematic analysis of group assignments was conducted to identify learning outcomes (objective 3). RESULTS: A total of 367 undergraduate nursing and occupational therapy students were recruited via convenience sampling. There was a significant increase in the students' empathy scores, measured using the Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale, from 78.06 (SD 7.72) before to 81.17 (SD 8.93) after (P<.001). Students expressed high satisfaction with the IVR learning innovation, with a high satisfaction mean score of 20.68 (SD 2.55) and a high self-confidence mean score of 32.04 (SD 3.52) on the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence scale. Students exhibited a good sense of presence in the IVR learning environment, as reflected in the scores for adaptation (41.30, SD 6.03), interface quality (11.36, SD 3.70), involvement (62.00, SD 9.47), and sensory fidelity (31.47, SD 5.23) on the Presence Questionnaire version 2.0. In total, 3 major themes were identified from the focus groups, which involved 23 nursing students: enhanced sympathy toward older adults with cognitive impairment, improved engagement in IVR learning, and confidence in understanding the key concepts through the learning process. These themes supplement and align with the survey results. The analysis of the written assignments revealed that students attained the learning outcomes of understanding the challenges faced by older adults with cognitive impairment, the importance of providing person-centered care, and the need for an age-friendly society. CONCLUSIONS: IVR-assisted experiential learning enhances students' knowledge and empathy in caring for older adults with cognitive impairment. These findings suggest that IVR can be a valuable tool in professional health care education.

Effectiveness of group cognitive behavioral therapy for depression in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of delivery by different healthcare professionals.

This study addresses the gap in understanding the varied effectiveness of group cognitive behavioral therapy (gCBT) delivered by different professionals. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluate gCBT and compare it to inactive controls in adults with a clinical diagnosis of depression. A total of 33 RCTs were included for analysis. In the overall analysis, 'profession of gCBT deliverer' was not a significant moderator in the meta-regression model (p = 0.57). For people without comorbidity, the overall effect size estimate was -0.69 (95% CI, -1.01. to -0.37, p = 0.03). Among gCBT deliverers, psychologists and nurses/psychiatric nurses demonstrated significant effectiveness, with psychologists showing a large effect size of -0.78 (95% CI, -1.25 to -0.30, p < 0.01) and nurses/psychiatric nurses showing a medium effect size of -0.45 (95% CI, -0.85 to -0.05, p = 0.03). The certainty of evidence for both professionals was moderate. These results have significant implications for the delivery of mental healthcare, as nurses/psychiatric nurses may be more accessible and cost-effective than psychologists in some settings. However, further research is necessary to determine the effectiveness of gCBT delivered by a broader range of healthcare professionals for patients with depression and other comorbidities.

Instrument adaptation and preliminary validation study of the Laryngeal Hypersensitivity Questionnaire used for assessment of laryngeal symptoms in patients with artificial airways.

BACKGROUND: The Newcastle Laryngeal Hypersensitivity Questionnaire (LHQ) was developed to measure abnormal laryngeal sensation and was originally validated in a patient sample from otolaryngologic and respiratory outpatient clinics. Modification is needed for patients who are mechanically ventilated via an endotracheal tube or a tracheostomy tube. OBJECTIVES: We sought to adapt and preliminarily validate a modified version of the LHQ appropriate for nurses and other clinicians to administer in acute hospital settings called the LHQ-Acute (LHQ-A). METHODS: Internal consistency and construct validity analyses using secondary data from patients at a tertiary teaching hospital who presented with symptoms of laryngeal irritability/hypersensitivity between September 2012 and October 2013 were performed. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients, most complaining of coughing and dysphonia, with a median age of 58 (interquartile range: 48, 66) years and 29 healthy participants with a median age of 62 (interquartile range: 50, 66) years were analysed. The original LHQ was reduced from 14 questions with responses on a 7-point scale to the LHQ-A containing 13 questions with responses on a 4-point scale. Correlations between items of the LHQ and LHQ-A were similar, and internal consistency was excellent and highly comparable, with Cronbach's alpha = 0.906 and 0.902, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The LHQ-A, which has been adapted for nurses and other clinicians to administer to a critically ill patient population, demonstrated comparable reliability and validity to the original LHQ. Validation of the LHQ-A in independent patient populations from acute settings is necessary to better understand norms and changes during recovery from acute illness.

A two-center experience: The impact of COVID-19 on two brachytherapy programs in Ontario - virtual care, service suspension and radiation therapy workflow.

INTRODUCTION: Most brachytherapy (BT) procedures require general anesthesia and are therefore considered aerosol generating medical procedures (AGMPs). The COVID-19 pandemic impacted BT as services were prioritized by balancing the harm associated with COVID-19 infection versus the effect of delay of potentially curative treatment. This article summarizes the impact of the pandemic on BT programs in two cancer centers in a Canadian province. METHODS: As part of a quality assurance project, a retrospective study was conducted for the first five months of the pandemic (March 1 to July 31, 2020). Chart review and COVID-19 related mitigation strategies were identified by BT Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapists (bCSRT) in each center using electronic medical records, departmental reports, policies and procedures. RESULTS: Impact included start of virtual care (VC), shortened fractionation, suspension of services and workflow changes.  Both centers implemented VC strategies to reduce clinic visits: "same-day size and treat" strategy for post-operative endometrial cancer patients and virtual patient education for all patients. BT services that were suspended were low-dose-rate and high-dose-rate (HDR) prostate treatments (Center 1), lung and esophagus HDR treatments (Center 2).  Workflow changes that affected staff and patients in both centers included COVID-19 screening and the use of personal protective equipment. The centers were marginally different in workflow adjustments for AGMP procedures.  Those considered high-risk AGMP and low-risk cancer were suspended temporarily with alternate treatment strategies sought for some patients. Others had temporizing treatment such as androgen deprivation therapy to facilitate oncological safe deferral of procedures. CONCLUSION: Both BT programs delivered treatment to most patients with minimal delays and cancellations, where feasible. Some of the pandemic workflow changes continued to the current state of the pandemic. Long-term follow-up is needed to assess the impact of COVID-19 and treatment interruptions on oncologic outcomes.

Development and Validation of the Hospital-to-Home-Health Transition Quality (H3TQ) Index: A Novel Measure to Engage Patients and Home Health Providers in Evaluating Hospital-to-Home Care Transition Quality.

BACKGROUND: Patients requiring skilled home health care (HH) after hospitalization are at high risk of adverse events. Human factors engineering (HFE) approaches can be useful for measure development to optimize hospital-to-home transitions. OBJECTIVE: To describe the development, initial psychometric validation, and feasibility of the Hospital-to-Home-Health-Transition Quality (H3TQ) Index to identify patient safety risks. METHODS: Development: A multisite, mixed-methods study at 5 HH agencies in rural and urban sites across the United States. Testing: Prospective H3TQ implementation on older adults' hospital-to-HH transitions. Populations Studied: Older adults and caregivers receiving HH services after hospital discharge, and their HH providers (nurses and rehabilitation therapists). RESULTS: The H3TQ is a 12-item count of hospital-to-HH transitions best practices for safety that we developed through more than 180 hours of observations and more than 80 hours of interviews. The H3TQ demonstrated feasibility of use, stability, construct validity, and concurrent validity when tested on 75 transitions. The vast majority (70%) of hospital-to-HH transitions had at least one safety issue, and HH providers identified more patient safety threats than did patients/caregivers. The most frequently identified issues were unsafe home environments (32%), medication issues (29%), incomplete information (27%), and patients' lack of general understanding of care plans (27%). CONCLUSIONS: The H3TQ is a novel measure to assess the quality of hospital-to-HH transitions and proactively identify transitions issues. Patients, caregivers, and HH providers offered valuable perspectives and should be included in safety reporting. Study findings can guide the design of interventions to optimize quality during the high-risk hospital-to-HH transition.

Preferences for end-of-life care and decision-making among Chinese community-dwelling older adults: A comparative cross-sectional study in Hong Kong and Wuhan in China.

This study aimed to describe and compare end-of-life care and decision-making preferences among Chinese community-dwelling older adults between Wuhan and Hong Kong in China. The study adopted a cross-sectional correlation design and recruited a convenience sample of 259 older adults, aged ≥65 years old from five community centers in Wuhan and Hong Kong. Participants completed a validated structured questionnaire that measured their end-of-life care and decision-making preferences. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results showed that Wuhan participants were significantly more likely to view "trying every means to extend the life span" as very important/important; and they perceived "support from religious personnel" as unimportant/very unimportant. Different from those older adults in Hong Kong, the Wuhan participants significantly chose their home as the preferred place for end-of-life care and death. They also tended to prefer family members to enact the decision-maker role in end-of-life decision situations. The study suggests older adults in Hong Kong and Wuhan have some differences in preferences for end-of-life care and decision-making, which provides the basis for future development of culturally relevant community-based end-of-life care.

Comparing dosimetry of locally advanced cervical cancer patients treated with 3 versus 4 fractions of MRI-guided brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility of treating cervical cancer patients with MRI-guided brachytherapy (MRgBT) using 24 Gy in 3 fractions (F) versus a standard, more resource-intensive regimen of 28 Gy in 4F, and its ability to meet EMBRACE II planning aims. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective review of 224 patients with FIGO Stage IB-IVA cervical cancer treated with 28 Gy/4F (n = 91) and 24 Gy/3F (n = 133) MRgBT between 2016-2021 was conducted. Multivariable linear regression models were fitted to compare dosimetric parameters between the two groups, adjusting for CTVHR and T stage. RESULTS: Most patients had squamous cell carcinoma, T2b disease, and were treated with intracavitary applicator plus interstitial needles (96%). The 28 Gy/4F group had higher CTVHR (median 28 vs. 26 cm3, p = 0.04), CTVIR D98% (mean 65.5 vs. 64.5 Gy, p = 0.03), rectum D2cm3 (mean 61.7 vs. 59.2 Gy, p = 0.04) and bladder D2cm3 (81.3 vs. 77.9 Gy, p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients meeting the EMBRACE II OAR dose constraints and planning aims, except fewer patients treated with 28 Gy/4F met rectum D2cm3 < 65 Gy (73 vs. 85%, p = 0.027) and ICRU rectovaginal point < 65 Gy (65 vs. 84%, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Cervical cancer patients treated with 24 Gy/3F MRgBT had comparable target doses and lower OAR doses compared to those treated with 28 Gy/4F. A less-resource intense fractionation schedule of 24 Gy/3F is an alternative to 28 Gy/4F in cervix MRgBT.

Symptom Burden of Children with Cancer and Parental Quality of Life: The Mediating Role of Parental Stress.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between children's reported symptom burden and their parents' quality of life, and whether parents' perceived stress mediates this relationship. METHOD: this was a cross-sectional quantitative research study. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 80 pairs of parents and their children with cancer. Advanced statistical methods were used to analyse the mediating effects of parental stress between children's symptom burden and parents' quality of life. RESULTS: The results showed that parental stress was the mediator in the relationship between children's reported symptom burden and their parents' quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Symptom burden was prevalent in Chinese children with cancer living in the community. Children's symptom burden is an important factor in predicting parental stress level, which simultaneously and directly lower parents' quality of life. The evidence in this study enlarges the knowledge base about the mediating effect of parental stress on the association between the symptom burden of children with cancer and their parents' quality of life. This evidence is crucial in paving the way for the development of interventions that improve the parental quality of life through stress-reduction programs.

Effectiveness of a brief hope intervention for chronic kidney disease patients on the decisional conflict and quality of life: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients often experience decisional conflict when faced with the selection between the initiation of dialysis and conservative care. The study examined the effects of a brief hope intervention (BHI) on the levels of hope, decisional conflict and the quality of life for stage 5 CKD patients. METHODS: This is a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03378700). Eligible patients were recruited from the outpatient department renal clinic of a regional hospital. They were randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control group (intervention: n = 35; control: n = 37). All participants underwent a customized pre-dialysis education class, while the intervention group received also BHI. Data were collected prior to the intervention, immediately afterwards, and one month following the intervention. The Generalized Estimating Equation was used to measure the effects in the level of hope, decisional conflict scores (DCS) and Kidney Disease Quality of life (KDQOL-36) scores. Estimated marginal means and standard errors with 95% confidence intervals of these scores were also reported to examine the within group and between group changes. RESULTS: An increase of the hope score was found from time 1 (29.7, 1.64) to time 3 (34.4, 1.27) in the intervention group. The intervention had a significant effect on the KDQOL-36 sub-scores Mental Component Summary (MCS) (Wald χ2 = 6.763, P = 0.009) and effects of kidney disease (Wald χ2 = 3.617, P = 0.004). There was a reduction in decisional conflict in both arms on the DCS total score (Wald χ2 = 7.885, P = 0.005), but the reduction was significantly greater in the control group (effect size 0.64). CONCLUSIONS: The BHI appeared to increase the level of hope within the intervention arm. Nonetheless, differences across the intervention and control arms were not significant. The KDQOL-36 sub-scores on MCS and Effects of kidney disease were found to have increased and be higher in the intervention group. The DCS total score also showed that hope was associated with reducing decisional conflict. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration, NCT03378700 . Registered July 12 2017.

Elective surgery in ankle and foot disorders-best practices for management of pain: a guideline for clinicians.

PURPOSE: Complex elective foot and ankle surgeries are often associated with severe pain pre- and postoperatively. When inadequately managed, chronic postsurgical pain and long-term opioid use can result. As no standards currently exist, we aimed to develop best practice pain management guidelines. METHODS: A local steering committee (n = 16) surveyed 116 North American foot and ankle surgeons to understand the "current state" of practice. A multidisciplinary expert panel (n = 35) was then formed consisting of orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, chronic pain physicians, primary care physicians, pharmacists, registered nurses, physiotherapists, and clinical psychologists. Each expert provided up to three pain management recommendations for each of the presurgery, intraoperative, inpatient postoperative, and postdischarge periods. These preliminary recommendations were reduced, refined, and sent to the expert panel and "current state" survey respondents to create a consensus document using a Delphi process conducted from September to December 2020. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred and five preliminary statements were summarized into 51 statements. Strong consensus (≥ 80% respondent agreement) was achieved in 53% of statements including the following: postsurgical opioid use risk should be assessed preoperatively; opioid-naïve patients should not start opioids preoperatively unless non-opioid multimodal analgesia fails; and if opioids are prescribed at discharge, patients should receive education regarding importance of tapering opioid use. There was no consensus regarding opioid weaning preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Using multidisciplinary experts and a Delphi process, strong consensus was achieved in many areas, showing considerable agreement despite limited evidence for standardized pain management in patients undergoing complex elective foot and ankle surgery. No consensus on important issues related to opioid prescribing and cessation highlights the need for research to determine best practice.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Les chirurgies électives complexes du pied et de la cheville sont souvent associées à une douleur intense avant et après l'opération. Lorsque cette douleur est mal prise en charge, elle peut entraîner une douleur postopératoire chronique et une consommation d'opioïdes à long terme. Comme il n'existe actuellement aucune norme, nous avons cherché à élaborer des lignes directrices sur les meilleures pratiques en matière de prise en charge de la douleur. MéTHODE: Un comité directeur local (n = 16) a interrogé 116 chirurgiens nord-américains spécialistes du pied et de la cheville pour comprendre « l'état actuel ¼ de la pratique. Un groupe d'experts multidisciplinaire (n = 35) a ensuite été formé, composé de chirurgiens orthopédistes, d'anesthésiologistes, de médecins spécialistes de la douleur chronique, de médecins de soins primaires, de pharmaciens, d'infirmières autorisées, de physiothérapeutes et de psychologues cliniciens. Chaque expert a fourni jusqu'à trois recommandations de prise en charge de la douleur pour chacune des périodes suivantes : en préchirurgie, en peropératoire, pendant l'hospitalisation postopératoire et après le congé. Ces recommandations préliminaires ont été réduites, affinées et envoyées au groupe d'experts et aux répondants du sondage sur « l'état actuel ¼ afin de créer un document de consensus à l'aide d'une méthode de Delphi réalisée entre septembre et décembre 2020. RéSULTATS: Mille quatre cent cinq déclarations préliminaires ont été résumées en 51 énoncés. Un consensus fort (≥ 80 % des répondants étaient d'accord) a été atteint concernant 53 % des énoncés, notamment les suivants : le risque de consommation postopératoire d'opioïdes devrait être évalué avant l'opération; les patients naïfs aux opioïdes ne devraient pas commencer à prendre des opioïdes avant l'opération, à moins que l'analgésie multimodale non opioïde n'échoue; et si des opioïdes sont prescrits au congé, les patients devraient être informés de l'importance de réduire leur consommation d'opioïdes. Il n'y avait pas de consensus concernant le sevrage des opioïdes en période préopératoire. CONCLUSION: À l'aide d'experts multidisciplinaires et d'une méthode de Delphi, un fort consensus a été atteint dans de nombreux aspects, montrant un accord considérable malgré des données probantes limitées pour une prise en charge standardisée de la douleur chez les patients subissant une chirurgie élective complexe du pied et de la cheville. L'absence de consensus sur des questions importantes liées à la prescription et à l'interruption des opioïdes souligne la nécessité de recherches pour déterminer les pratiques exemplaires.

Parental Stress as the Mediator Between Symptom Burden and the Quality of Life of Chinese Children With Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Because of their cancer and treatment adverse effects, most pediatric oncology patients will experience 1 or more symptoms at one time that can seriously affect their quality of life. Because these children are attached to parents, their symptom burden directly influences the parental stress level and parental interpretations of their children's quality of life. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the association between child-reported symptom burden and the pediatric quality of life reported by children with cancer and their parents, and whether parental perceived stress mediates these relationships. METHODS: In a cross-sectional design, convenience sampling was used to recruit 80 parent-child dyads. Advanced statistical methods were adopted to analyze the mediating effects of parental stress between children's symptom burden and their quality of life. RESULTS: The results revealed that parental stress was the mediator in the relationship between child-reported symptom burden and children's quality of life reported by parents. The results also showed that parental stress was not a mediator in the relationship between child-reported symptom burden and their quality of life. This underscored the differences in interpretations of quality of life reported by children and their parents. CONCLUSION: Children's symptom burden is an important factor in predicting parental stress level and the quality of life reported by the children. Children's voice should be incorporated whenever possible. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The knowledge gained from this study will facilitate intervention development to enhance parents' abilities in stress management and symptom management for their children with the support of the nursing profession.

Defining a minimum hospital volume threshold for minimally invasive colon cancer resections.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic colectomy is considered the standard of care in colon cancer treatment when appropriate expertise is available. However, guidelines do not delineate what experience is required to implement this approach safely and effectively. This study aimed to establish a data-derived, hospital-level annual volume threshold for laparoscopic colectomy at which patient outcomes are optimized. METHODS: This evaluation included 44,157 stage I to III adenocarcinoma patients aged ≥40 years who underwent laparoscopic colon resection between 2010 and 2015 within the National Cancer Database. The primary outcome was overall survival, with 30- and 90-day mortality, duration of stay, days to receipt of chemotherapy, and number of lymph nodes examined as secondary. Segmented logistic and Cox regression models were used to identify volume thresholds which optimized these outcomes. RESULTS: In hospitals performing ≥30 laparoscopic colectomies per year there were incremental improvements in overall survival for each additional resection beyond 30. Hospitals performing ≥30 procedures/year demonstrated improved 30-day mortality (1.3% vs 1.7%, P < .001), 90-day mortality (2.3% vs 2.9%, P < .001), and overall survival (84.3% vs 82.3%, P < .001). Those hospitals performing <30 procedures/year had no significant benefit in overall survival. Thresholds were not identified for any other outcomes. Results were comparable in colon cancer patients with stage IV or multiple cancers. CONCLUSION: A high-volume hospital threshold of ≥30 cases/year for laparoscopic colectomies is associated with improved patient survival and outcomes. A minimum volume standard may help providers determine which approach is most suitable for their hospital's practice as open procedures may yield better oncologic results in low volume settings.

Development of the Experiences of Sex Work Stigma Scale Using Item Response Theory: Implications for Research on the Social Determinants of HIV.

While HIV stigma has received significant attention, limited work has been conducted on the measurement of intersecting stigmas. We developed the Experiences of Sex Work Stigma (ESWS) scale in the Dominican Republic (DR) and Tanzania. We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 female sex workers (FSW) per country to identify scale domains followed by cognitive debriefing interviews to assess content validity. Items were administered in a survey to FSW in DR (n = 211) and Tanzania (n = 205). Factor analysis established four sex work stigma domains including: shame (internalized), dignity (resisted), silence (anticipated) and treatment (enacted). Reliability across domains ranged from 0.81 to 0.93. Using item response theory (IRT) we created context-specific domain scores accounting for differential item functioning between countries. ESWS domains were associated with internalized HIV stigma, depression, anxiety, sexual partner violence and social cohesion across contexts. The ESWS is the first reliable and valid scale to assess multiple domains of sex work stigma and can be used to examine the effects of this form of intersectional stigma on HIV-related outcomes across settings.

The effects of a brief hope intervention on decision-making in chronic kidney disease patients: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: This study describes the study protocol of a manualized brief hope intervention that is based on the theoretical proposition - hope theory. BACKGROUND: Patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease often had decisional regret when facing the tension of treatment alternatives between dialysis initiation and palliative care. Hope has been found to account for therapeutic changes in clients with depressive symptoms, heightens positive expectations, and striving to accomplish chosen goals. Nevertheless, little is known about the effect of hope on decisional conflict and its influences to the quality of life in these chronic kidney disease patients. DESIGN: This study is a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Participants will be recruited from a regional hospital (approved in April 2018). They will be randomly assigned in equal numbers to either the brief hope intervention or the control arm on completion of the baseline assessment on the possible need of dialysis initiation. Participants in the intervention group will receive the pre-dialysis education and a 4-week Brief Hope Intervention [consisting of four sessions at weekly intervals (two face-to-face sessions and two telephone follow-up sessions in between)], while those allocated to the control arm will receive the renal education and social chats. Outcome measures will be carried out prior to the intervention (baseline), immediately, and 1 month after the intervention. These consist of the hope level, decisional conflict, and quality of life. Healthcare resources use data will be reported. IMPACT: The study results have the potential to add scientific evidence to the research-tested programme when developing renal services integral to multimodal care management to optimize decision-making and attain better health outcomes.

Unintended Consequences of Health Care Reform: Impact of Changes in Payor Mix on Patient Safety Indicators.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion on patient safety metrics at the hospital level by expansion status, across varying levels of safety-net burden, and over time. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Medicaid expansion has raised concerns over the influx of additional medically and socially complex populations on hospital systems. Whether increases in Medicaid and uninsured payor mix impact hospital performance metrics remains largely unknown. We sought to evaluate the effects of expansion on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-endorsed Patient Safety Indicators (PSI-90). METHODS: Three hundred fifty-eight hospitals were identified using State Inpatient Databases (2012-2015) from 3 expansions (KY, MD, NJ) and 2 nonexpansion (FL, NC) states. PSI-90 scores were calculated using Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality modules. Hospital Medicaid and uninsured patients were categorized into safety-net burden (SNB) quartiles. Hospital-level, multivariate linear regression was performed to measure the effects of expansion and change in SNB on PSI-90. RESULTS: PSI-90 decreased (safety improved) over time across all hospitals (-5.2%), with comparable reductions in expansion versus nonexpansion states (-5.9% vs -4.7%, respectively; P = 0.441) and across high SNB hospitals within expansion versus nonexpansion states (-3.9% vs -5.2%, P = 0.639). Pre-ACA SNB quartile did not predict changes in PSI-90 post-ACA. However, when hospitals increased their SNB by 5%, they incurred significantly more safety events in expansion relative to nonexpansion states (+1.87% vs -14.0%, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Despite overall improvement in patient safety, increased SNB was associated with increased safety events in expansion states. Accordingly, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services measures may unintentionally penalize hospitals with increased SNB following Medicaid expansion.

Radical excision for retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma: A national propensity-matched outcomes analysis.

BACKGROUND: Given the rarity of retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma, few studies have assessed if radical excision of retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma with adjacent organs improves survival outcomes. This propensity score-matched study aimed to evaluate the impact of radical excision versus resection of tumor alone. METHODS: The National Cancer Database 2004 to 2015 was used to assess short- and long-term outcomes of resection of tumor alone versus radical excision (tumor plus ≥1 adjacent organs) via 1:1 propensity-matched analyses. Subgroup analyses included low-grade, high-grade, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, adjacent organ involvement alone, localized tumors alone, and high-volume hospitals (≥10 resections/y). Multivariable logistic regression models identified factors associated with radical excision. RESULTS: Comparison of propensity-matched groups (N = 1,139/group) revealed no significant differences in 30-day mortality, 90-day mortality, or overall survival (for all, P > .580). For all subgroup analyses comparing resection of tumor alone with radical excision, including localized tumors without organ invasion (N = 208/group), there were no identified differences in short- or long-term survival. Although it yielded lower R2 resection rates (P = .007), radical excision was associated with greater mean length of stay (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Radical excision was not associated with improved retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma survival irrespective of grade, histology, hospital volume, or adjacent organ involvement. Resection of ostensibly involved adjacent viscera may increase morbidity without survival benefit. These results inform ongoing discussion regarding histology-tailored, situation-specific extent of retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma resections.

E-cigarette and hookah adoption patterns: Is the harm reduction theory just so much smoke?

AIMS: This paper explores inter-generational changes in consumers smoking product uptake and use patterns after the introduction of e-cigarettes and hookahs. DESIGN: Item Response Theory (IRT) is used to analyze the Health Information National Trends Survey sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration (HINTS-FDA). The survey was fielded in 2015. IRT allows the pattern of product use to be described and help assess whether the new tobacco products (i.e., e-cigarettes, hookahs) serve as gateway to other products or act in harm reduction modality. FINDINGS: The results indicate that the new product alternatives have changed the how tobacco products are adopted in the U.S. In particular, younger respondents were more likely to have engaged in cigar, e-cigarette and water-pipe use than the older cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of nicotine products previously unavailable in the U.S is creating new modes for smoking initiation in the age groups most likely to begin a new habit. There is little evidence that smokers in the older HINTS cohorts are using the e-cigarette as a smoking cessation tool. The rise of cigar use in the younger cohort may indicate that legal products are being mixed with illicit substances (i.e., 'blunting').