[Optimizing the management of heart failure: structuring the care pathway]. / Optimisation de la prise en charge de l'insuffisance cardiaque : structuration du parcours de soins.

The incidence of chronic heart failure continues to rise in Western countries, justifying the implementation of an optimized multidisciplinary organization based on medical and nursing convergence. Around the main heart failure, assistance and transplantation unit at Toulouse University Hospital, several structures have been put in place to better manage heart failure patients and improve their care pathway.

Incidence, prevalence, and medical costs of pressure injuries in Taiwan from 2001 to 2015: Results of a retrospective cohort study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyse the trends in the incidence, prevalence and medical costs of pressure injuries (PIs) among genders in Taiwan. BACKGROUND: The treatment of PIs is complex and costly, often leading to complications and increased mortality. This issue significantly impacts healthcare quality and incurs substantial medical and social costs, warranting attention. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Database to obtain and calculate the incidence, prevalence, and medical costs of PIs in the country between 2001 and 2015 as well as to analyse high-risk groups and the medical care utilisation of patients following the STROBE reporting guidelines. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2015, 15,327 incident case of PIs were diagnosed. During the study period, the prevalence rate of PIs per 100,000 population rose from 26.3 to 189.6, with approximately 11.5%-16.3% of patients undergoing surgical debridement. The PIs prevalence rate increased by 7.2-fold, and hospitalisation costs accounted for 91.7%-96.0% of the total medical costs. Patients with older age, comorbidities, poorer financial status and lower education levels were found to be likely to develop PIs. These predisposing factors differed between males and females. The prevalence of PIs was higher in patients ≥75 years old than in patients from other age groups. Moreover, PI-related medical expenses have been increasing annually. CONCLUSIONS: In Taiwan, the rising incidence of PIs is driving up medical costs. Effective care and prevention of PIs necessitate a comprehensive plan from the entire healthcare system. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This research fills a gap in the available data on the incidence, prevalence, and medical costs of PIs in Taiwan and Asia. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The findings can be used to help develop clinical guidelines for preventive education and treatment of PIs.

Perceptions of Uncertainty in Medical Care Among Non-medical Professionals and Nurses in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Internet-Based Preliminary Survey.

BACKGROUND: Medical care is impacted by uncertainty caused by various factors. The uncertainty that exists in medical care can cause patient distrust and lead to conflict. This study compared the tolerance of uncertainty in medical care between non-medical professionals and nurses. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional Internet-based survey. Participants included 2,100 individuals (600 nurses and 1,500 non-medical professionals; aged ≥ 20 years) from different parts of Japan. Of these, we excluded 70 participants who were classified as non-medical professionals but were registered nurses. Finally, we analyzed data from 2,030 participants (600 nurses and 1,430 non-medical professionals). Three registered nurses and nursing researchers developed an original questionnaire on tolerance of uncertainty in medical care. Data regarding participants' characteristics (age, sex, education level, marital status, having children, population size of the residential area, medical care usage, and occupation) were obtained. We performed a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare the data between non-medical professionals and nurses. Additionally, we employed a multiple regression model to investigate factors related to tolerance of uncertainty in medical care scores. RESULTS: A significant portion of participants (36.7%) were aged 40-50 years (n = 745). Most were women (n = 1,210, 59.6%), and a considerable percentage were medical care users (n = 1,309, 64.5%). Non-medical professionals were less tolerant of uncertainty than nurses, and uncertainty scores were associated with medical care usage, occupation, and population size of the residential area. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed variations in perceptions of uncertainty in medical care between non-medical professionals and medical care providers. To mitigate conflicts related to medical issues, medical care providers should enhance non-medical professionals' education regarding perceptions of uncertainty in medical care.

Relationship Between Clinics Offering Telemedicine and Population Density in Japan: An Ecological Study.

Background: The number of clinics offering telemedicine in Japan has been increasing. Regional characteristics such as population density and the number of physicians may be associated with the provision of telemedicine. This study investigated the relationship between clinics offering telemedicine and such regional characteristics for each prefecture in Japan. Methods: Data were collected from publicly available information that included the percentage of clinics offering telemedicine (real-time synchronous type) among all clinics (in 2022), population density, and the number of physicians for each of Japan's 47 prefectures. An ecological study was carried out to determine the correlation between the percentage of clinics offering telemedicine and regional characteristics for each prefecture, and Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis adjusted for regional characteristics were performed. Results: The min-max and mean levels were, respectively, 3.4-39.2% and 15.6% of clinics offering telemedicine, 66.6-6402.6 and 657.1 people per square kilometer of population density, and 185.2-356.7 and 274.0 physicians per 100,000 people. Geographically, the northeastern regions appeared to show a high percentage of clinics offering telemedicine relative to the southwestern regions. There was a significant negative correlation between the percentage of clinics offering telemedicine and population density (r = -0.31, p < 0.05; ß = -0.31, p < 0.05). Discussion: The negative relationship of the provision of telemedicine in clinics with population density throughout Japan might be a reflection to ensure residents' access to clinics in less populated areas. Although further detailed studies are needed to confirm this, population density might be a useful measure for considering whether to offer telemedicine in clinics in Japan.

Telemedicine-Based Provision of Adolescent Gender-Affirming Medical Care to Promote Equitable Access.

Purpose: To explore transgender and nonbinary (TNB) young adults' (1) interest in receiving gender-affirming medications through telemedicine before age 18 years and (2) willingness to initiate this care with primary care providers (PCPs). Methods: Data were from a survey of TNB young adults who had not received gender-affirming medications before age 18 years. Chi-square and Wald tests identified demographic differences in telemedicine interest and willingness to initiate medications with their PCP as minors. Results: Among 280 respondents, 82.5% indicated interest in telemedicine and 42.0% were willing to initiate medications with their PCP. Black/African American respondents were more likely to indicate interest in telemedicine than White and multiracial respondents. Respondents from rural areas were more likely to indicate willingness to initiate medications with their PCP than those from urban areas. Conclusions: Telemedicine expansion and further support for PCPs may represent critical opportunities to promote equitable access to adolescent gender-affirming care.

Examining the Intrapersonal, Interpersonal and Community Level Correlates of Access to Medical Care Among Women Employed by Sex Work in Southern Uganda: A cross-sectional Analysis of the Kyaterekera Study.

Women employed by sex work (WESW) experience significant gaps in accessing necessary healthcare services, leading to unmet health needs. Yet, there is a dearth of literature on the barriers to medical care access among WESW in Uganda. We used data from the Kyaterekera baseline to examine the correlates of access to medical care among WESW, defined as the ability of individuals to obtain the necessary healthcare services they require in a timely, affordable, and equitable manner. The Kyaterekera study recruited 542 WESW aged 18-58 years from Southern Uganda. We conducted a multilevel linear regression model to determine the intrapersonal (age, education level, marital status, HIV knowledge, and asset ownership), interpersonal (family cohesion and domestic violence attitudes), and community (community satisfaction, sex work stigma and distance to health facility) level correlates of access to medical care among WESW. Intrapersonal and interpersonal factors were associated with access to medical care among WESW. There was no significant association between community level factors and access to medical care. WESW with secondary education (ß = 0.928, 95% CI = 0.007, 1.849) were associated with increased access to medical care. WESW with high asset ownership (ß = -1.154, 95% CI= -1.903, -0.405), high family cohesion (ß = -0.069, 95% CI= -0.106, -0.031), and high domestic violence attitudes (ß = -0.253, 95% CI= -0.438, -0.068) were associated with decreased access to medical care. The findings emphasize the critical need for targeted family strengthening interventions to enhance family support for WESW and address domestic violence.

[The medical care of seamen of civil shipping: the role of non-commercial organizations].

According to the International Labor Organization, health protection and access to medical treatment are to be guaranteed to seamen in the same way as to people working ashore. However, in practice, formal measures and mechanisms do not always make it possible to provide medical care to crew members of civil vessels due to peculiarities of legal systems of the States in whose territorial waters the vessel is located, remoteness of the vessel from coastline and objective situation that permits to receiving medical care from the shore. As far as possible these problems are resolved by non-profit organizations of seamen. The overview of their activities is presented in this article.

[The world experience of monitoring of satisfaction with medical care: the analytical review].

The satisfaction of patients is one of key indicators used to assess quality of medical care and its effectiveness from point of view of achieving patient-oriented results. Nowadays, the tools assessing patient satisfaction with medical care are largely applied all over the world. The world experience of monitoring satisfaction of population with medical care is necessary for better understanding of dynamics of indicator and possible forecasting of its level in Russia. The purpose of the study is to analyze existing national systems of monitoring satisfaction of patient with medical care and to identify particular established trends. The search for free access publications was implemented using such databases as PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate and eLibrary. The keywords patient satisfaction, national monitoring, satisfaction trends, The sampling included 55 publications. The analysis established that in many countries measurement of degree of satisfaction of patient with medical care become routine practice and integral part of of evaluation of efficacy of both medical organizations and health care in a whole. The initial level of satisfaction with medical care depends on multitude of population variables, including predominant race, culture and nationality of population, gender and age structure, social economic conditions, level of incomes and prevalence of urban or rural population. The dynamics of satisfaction level in most countries demonstrates steady, but slow and statistically insignificant increasing of indicators, though different in various domains of satisfaction. The identified factors are to be considered both at the Federal level to formulate correct conclusions and at the regional level to develop corresponding measures.

Medical care priorities of community-dwelling older adults according to three dimensions of quality of life: Quality of daily living, satisfaction and happiness from birth to death, and human vitality.

AIM: Although the maintenance and improvement of quality of life (QoL) through holistic care are important in geriatric medical care, care priorities might differ depending on three essential aspects of QoL: the quality of daily living, satisfaction and happiness from birth to death, and human vitality, which are "Seikatsu," "Jinsei," "Seimei" in Japanese, respectively. We aimed to clarify these priorities in terms of medical care and examined how the definitions of QoL affected these priorities' rankings. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years living in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The number of participants was 1550 (mean age, 76.1 ± 5.8 years; 699 women [45.1%]). A self-administered questionnaire distributed in advance was used to rank 12 items sought in medical care. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups and sent the corresponding questionnaire, which differed only in the definition of QoL. RESULTS: The top priorities for medical care were "effective treatment of illness," "improvement of physical function," and "maintaining a high level of activity." When QoL was defined as "the quality of daily living, satisfaction and happiness from birth to death, and human vitality," participants were significantly more likely to rank QoL improvement as one of the top three items (adjusted odds ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.05). CONCLUSIONS: As a medical care priority, older adults desire improvement of multidimensional elements of life, including human vitality. Health care providers should consider this when making medical care decisions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••-••.

Treatment strategies for pelvic organ prolapse and postoperative outcomes in older women with long-term care needs: A population-based retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate treatment options for older women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and postoperative outcomes based on their long-term care (LTC) status. METHODS: We used the medical and LTC insurance claims databases of Tochigi Prefecture in Japan, covering 2014 to 2019. We included women 65 years and older with POP and evaluated their care status and treatment, excluding women with an observation period <6 months. Among women with a postsurgical interval ≥6 months, we compared care level changes and deaths within 6 months and complications within 1 month postoperatively between those with and without LTC using Fisher exact test. RESULTS: We identified 3406 eligible women. Of the 447 women with LTC and 2959 women without LTC, 16 (3.6%) and 415 (14.0%), respectively, underwent surgery. Among 393 women with a postsurgical interval ≥6 months, 19 (4.8%) required LTC at surgery. Two of the 19 women with LTC (10.5%) and eight of 374 women without LTC (2.1%) experienced worsening care-needs level. No deaths were recorded. Urinary tract infection (UTI) was significantly more frequent in women with LTC than in women without LTC (36.8% vs 8.6%). Other complications were rare in both groups. CONCLUSION: The proportion of patients who underwent surgery for POP was lower in women with LTC than in women without LTC. Postoperative UTI was common and 11% had a worsening care-needs level postoperatively, whereas other complications were infrequent. Further detailed studies would contribute to providing optimal treatment to enhance patients' quality of life.

[The subanalysis of Rheuma-VOR demonstrates a considerable need for rheumatological care]. / Die Subanalyse von Rheuma-VOR zeigt den erheblichen Bedarf der rheumatologischen Versorgung auf.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases can prevent consequential damage such as permanently limited mobility and joint or organ damage. Simultaneously, there is an increasing deficit in medical care owing to the lack of rheumatological capacity. Rural regions are particularly affected. OBJECTIVES: The available unconfirmed diagnoses of the study Rheuma-VOR were analysed regarding another definitive inflammatory rheumatic disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The returned questionnaires of the rheumatologists participating in Rheuma-VOR were screened for definitive inflammatory rheumatic diseases other than the required diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or spondyloarthritis. RESULTS: Of 910 unconfirmed diagnoses, in 245 patients another definitive diagnosis could be confirmed. A total of 29.8% of the diagnoses corresponded to degenerative joint changes or chronic pain syndrome, whereas 26.1% involved different forms of inflammatory arthritis. The majority of diagnoses (40.5%) were collagenosis or vasculitis, DISCUSSION: The available data show that a rheumatological presentation was indicated for the majority of patients. Owing to the increasing deficits in medical care a prior selection of the patients is crucial to make optimal use of restricted rheumatological capacities.

Community pharmacists' views and experiences of delivering in-pharmacy medication reviews for people living with severe and persistent mental illness: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: People living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) often take multiple medications and are at risk of experiencing medication related problems. Medication review services have the potential to reduce inappropriate use of psychotropic medications and improve adherence. However, there is limited research regarding pharmacists' perspectives when providing such services. AIM: To explore community pharmacists' views and experiences of providing an in-pharmacy medication review (MedsCheck) for people living with SPMI. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted between November 2021 and May 2022 with community pharmacists participating in the comparator group of the PharMIbridge Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT), which aimed to improve medication adherence and manage physical health concerns for people living with SPMI. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with community pharmacists including pharmacy owners, managers and employee pharmacists. Most pharmacist participants who were interviewed (n = 10) were aged under 39 and more than half (n = 8) had 10 or more years of pharmacy experience. Five key themes were identified: 1) Pharmacists' roles in the management of SPMI in community pharmacy; 2) Mental health education and training; 3) Pharmacy resources; 4) Challenges with interprofessional collaboration and 5) Impact on professional relationships and consumer outcomes. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists are motivated to support people living with SPMI. Mental health training, as well as arrangements regarding pharmacy workflow and appropriate remuneration are needed to enable pharmacists to better support people living with SPMI. Referral pathways should be directly accessible by community pharmacists to assist interprofessional collaboration.

AI Analysis of General Medicine in Japan: Present and Future Considerations.

This paper presents an interpretation of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated depictions of the present and future of general medicine in Japan. Using text inputs, the AI tool generated fictitious images based on neural network analyses. We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the literature because the direction of general medicine in Japan has long been unclear, despite constant discussion. Our AI analysis shows that Japanese medicine is currently plagued by issues with polypharmacy, likely because of the aging patient population. Additionally, the analysis indicated a distressed female physician and evoked a sense of anxiety about the future of female physicians. It discusses whether the ability to encourage the success of female physicians is a turning point for the future of medicine in Japan.

The Effect of Out-of-Hours Admission on Mortality in Patients Who Underwent Thrombectomy Due to Ischemic Stroke.

Background: It is important to investigate the factors that may delay the diagnosis and treatment process of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate whether in-hospital mortality increased in patients who presented to the emergency department out-of-hours and underwent thrombectomy. Methods: A total of 59 patients who applied to the emergency department between January 1, 2018 and November 1, 2021 and underwent thrombectomy due to ischemic stroke were included in the study. Patient age, gender, thrombectomy success (successful recanalization), in-hospital mortality status, intracranial hemorrhage status after thrombectomy, and out-of-hours admission status were recorded and compared according to out-of-hours admission status. Results: Twenty-seven (45.8%) patients were male, and the median age was 74 (61-81) years. Forty-two (71.2%) patients applied to the emergency department out-of-hours. In-hospital mortality occurred in 27 (45.8%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference in out-of-hours admission status between the non-survivor group and the survivor group (non-survivor: 24 [75%]; survivor: 18 [66.7%], p = 0.481). Nor was a statistically significant difference found in the intracranial hemorrhage complication rate of the patients admitted out-of-hours compared to the patients admitted during working hours (out-of-hours: 17 [40.5%]; during working hours: 6 [35.3%], p = 0.712). Conclusion: No statistically significant difference was found in the rate of in-hospital mortality and intracranial bleeding complications in patients who underwent thrombectomy out of working hours compared to during working hours.

Medical management determinants of the maxillofacial precancerous and benign diseases malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To identify the medical management determinants of the maxillofacial precancerous and benign diseases malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: 150 people with maxillofacial cancer and 100 people with precancerous and benign diseases of the same localization were interviewed. RESULTS: Results: There were revealed: a low percentage of detection during check-up (10.2-15.8%), more than a third of cases (35.8-37.4%) are diagnosed by chance; not all patients undergo histological verification of the diagnosis (25.7% in cancerous and 43.2% in precancerous and benign diseases); not all are under follow up observation (24.7-27.7%). The risk of precancerous and benign diseases malignancy is the highest at 40-59 years of age (OR=4.4; 95% CI: 1.9-10.5), andalso increases with the duration of the disease for more than 5 years (2.2; 1.2-4.10 ), in patients who didn't undergo histological verification (2.2; 1.3-3.8), don't follow doctors' recommendation on visits and treatment (2.4; 1.4-4.1), don't trust doctors and are dissatisfied with medical care (2.1; 1.3-3.6). The risk groups of the maxillofacial oncological, precancerous and benign diseases are men, who are 1.5 times more likely to suffer from them than women and are characterized by lower medical care activity. The risk factors of the maxillofacial precancerous and benign diseases malignancy are low financial (4.6; 1.7-12.4) and territorial (3.3; 1.1-10.3) accessibility of medical care, including dental care (2.8; 1.6-4.8). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: It is necessary to improve the prevention and medical care in order to advance the early detection of maxillofacial cancer, taking into account the established medical management determinants of malignancy.

Japan's healthcare delivery system: From its historical evolution to the challenges of a super-aged society.

Although Japan's healthcare delivery system is highly regarded internationally, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed its structural problems. Behind these issues lies a history of medical care provisions supported mainly by an unrestricted, "free labeling" system, and independently financed private hospitals. In addition, patients have a high degree of freedom of choice under the Japanese medical insurance system, making it difficult to provide comprehensive and continuous health management from initial diagnosis and treatment (primary care), specialized treatment, to supporting a return to home, providing nursing care and lifestyle support. As Japan becomes a "super-aged" society with individuals over 65 making up over 30% of the population, the nature of medical care will have to undergo major changes. Medical care's basic function must still be the treatment and cure of patients, but the system will also have to provide support. That means conceiving of care in a way that treats a person's life with dignity and does not sacrifice life for treatment. The implementation of a family doctor function and the clarification of the functions and roles of small and medium-sized community-based hospitals that support this function, as well as the establishment of a community comprehensive care network with multidisciplinary cooperation that goes beyond medical care, should also be set forth in future regional medical care plans.

Association of medical care capacity and the patient mortality of septic shock: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals with higher septic shock case volume demonstrated lower hospital mortality. We conducted this study to investigate whether this phenomenon was only caused by the increase in the number of admissions or the need to improve the medical care capacity in septic shock at the same time. METHODS: Seven-hundred and eighty-seven hospitals from China collected in a survey from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Medical care capacity for septic shock was explored by patients with septic shock in intensive care units (ICU) divided into beds, intensivists, and nurses respectively. MAIN RESULTS: The proportion of ICU patients with septic shock was negatively associated with the patient mortality of septic shock (Estimate [95%CI], -0.2532 [-0.5038, -0.0026]) (p-value 0.048). The ratios of patients with septic shock to beds, intensivists, and nurses were negatively associated with mortality of septic shock (Estimate [95%CI], -0.370 [-0.591, -0.150], -0.136 [-0.241, -0.031], and -0.774 [-1.158, -0.389]) (p-value 0.001, 0.011 and < 0.001). Severe pneumonia, the most common infection that caused a septic shock, correlated positively with its mortality (Estimate [95%CI], 0.1002 [0.0617, 0.1387]) (p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals with higher medical care capacity for septic shock were associated with lower hospital mortality.

Age Differences Experiences of Pandemic-related Health and Economic Challenges among Adults Aged 55 and Older.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The oldest adults faced the highest risk of death and hospitalization from COVID-19, but less is known about whether they also were the most likely to experience pandemic-related economic, health care, and mental health challenges. Guided by prior research on vulnerability versus resilience among older adults, the current study investigated age differences in economic hardship, delays in medical care, and mental health outcomes among adults aged 55 and older. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were from the COVID-19 module and Leave Behind Questionnaire in the 2020 Health and Retirement Study (HRS). We estimated linear probability models to examine differences in experiences of pandemic-related economic and health challenges by age group (55-64, 65-74, 75+) with and without controls for preexisting sociodemographic, social program, health, and economic characteristics from the 2018 HRS. Models accounting for differential mortality also were estimated. RESULTS: Adults aged 65-74 and 75+ experienced fewer economic and mental health challenges and those aged 75+ were less likely to delay medical care than adults aged 55-64. Age gradients were consistent across a broad range of measures and were robust to including controls. For all age groups, economic challenges were less common than delays in medical care or experiences of loneliness, stress, or being emotionally overwhelmed. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Even though the oldest adults were at the greatest risk of death and hospitalization from COVID-19, they experienced fewer secondary pandemic-related challenges. Future research should continue to explore the sources of this resilience for older adults.

Home-Based Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, or another diverse gender identity Older Adults.

The home-based medicine ecosystem is rapidly expanding. With this expansion, it is increasingly important to understand the unique needs of homebound older adults. There is likely significant intersectionality across the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, or another diverse gender identity (LGBTQ+) older adult population and the homebound population. This article begins to outline some strategies and approaches to entering the home of LGBTQ+ older adults in inclusive and trauma-informed ways and encourages home-based care teams, organizations, and health systems to utilize existing resources created by the LGBTQ+ aging community to provide universal skills training for the workforce.