Shared Decision-Making in Cardiovascular Risk Factor Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: The effect of shared decision-making (SDM) and the extent of its use in interventions to improve cardiovascular risk remain unclear. Objective: To assess the extent to which SDM is used in interventions aimed to enhance the management of cardiovascular risk factors and to explore the association of SDM with decisional outcomes, cardiovascular risk factors, and health behaviors. Data Sources: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, a literature search was conducted in the Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for articles published from inception to June 24, 2022, without language restrictions. Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing SDM-based interventions with standard of care for cardiovascular risk factor management were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis: The systematic search resulted in 9365 references. Duplicates were removed, and 2 independent reviewers screened the trials (title, abstract, and full text) and extracted data. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Main Outcomes and Measures: Decisional outcomes, cardiovascular risk factor outcomes, and health behavioral outcomes. Results: This review included 57 RCTs with 88 578 patients and 1341 clinicians. A total of 59 articles were included, as 2 RCTs were reported twice. Nearly half of the studies (29 [49.2%]) tested interventions that targeted both patients and clinicians, and an equal number (29 [49.2%]) exclusively focused on patients. More than half (32 [54.2%]) focused on diabetes management, and one-quarter focused on multiple cardiovascular risk factors (14 [23.7%]). Most studies (35 [59.3%]) assessed cardiovascular risk factors and health behaviors as well as decisional outcomes. The quality of studies reviewed was low to fair. The SDM intervention was associated with a decrease of 4.21 points (95% CI, -8.21 to -0.21) in Decisional Conflict Scale scores (9 trials; I2 = 85.6%) and a decrease of 0.20% (95% CI, -0.39% to -0.01%) in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (18 trials; I2 = 84.2%). Conclusions and Relevance: In this systematic review and meta-analysis of the current state of research on SDM interventions for cardiovascular risk management, there was a slight reduction in decisional conflict and an improvement in HbA1c levels with substantial heterogeneity. High-quality studies are needed to inform the use of SDM to improve cardiovascular risk management.

Professionalism in pre-licensure nursing education: Core values, didactic coursework and clinical training.

AIM: To discuss professionalism for pre-licensure nursing students and identify recommendations for inclusion in core values, didactic coursework and clinical training. BACKGROUND: Professionalism is part of the nursing identity that encompasses integrity and honesty. This concept has been difficult to translate into formal education in nursing programs and clinical practice. DESIGN: A discursive paper. DATA SOURCES: A search of national literature without date restrictions in PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar and frameworks for nursing education. We explored principles of professionalism in nursing education and practice. DISCUSSION: Evidence-based literature supports the integration of core values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, honesty and social justice into didactic curricula, and clinical training. Principles of professionalism can be incorporated intentionally in nursing education to maintain patient safety and trust. CONCLUSION: The principles of professionalism, related to core values of the nursing profession, are abundantly described in the literature. However, these principles represent core values that have not been formally conceptualized. With the changing landscape of healthcare, there is a need for deliberate, measurable integration of professionalism into pre-licensure education. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There was no patient or public involvement in the design or drafting of this discursive paper.

Heterogeneity in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among Latino Immigrant Subgroups: Evidence From the 2010 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey.

Background The Latino population is a growing and diverse share of the US population. Previous studies have examined Latino immigrants as a homogenous group. The authors hypothesized that there would be heterogeneity in cardiovascular disease risk factors among Latino immigrant subgroups (from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Central America, or South America) compared with non-Latino White adults. Methods and Results A cross-sectional analysis of the 2010 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) among 548 739 individuals was performed. Generalized linear models with Poisson distribution were fitted to compare the prevalence of self-reported hypertension, overweight/obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, and current smoking, adjusting for known confounders. The authors included 474 968 non-Latino White adults and 73 771 Latino immigrants from Mexico (59%), Puerto Rico (7%), Cuba (6%), Dominican Republic (5%), Central America (15%), and South America (9%). Compared with White adults, Mexican immigrants had the highest prevalence of overweight/obesity (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.17 [95% CI, 1.15-1.19]); Puerto Rican individuals had the highest prevalence of diabetes (PR, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.45-1.83]); individuals from Central America had the highest prevalence of high cholesterol (PR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.04-1.28]); and individuals from the Dominican Republic had the highest prevalence of physical inactivity (PR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.18-1.32]). All Latino immigrant subgroups were less likely to be smokers than White adults. Conclusions The authors observed advantages and disparities in cardiovascular disease risk factors among Latino immigrants. Aggregating data on Latino individuals may mask differences in cardiovascular disease risk and hinder efforts to reduce health disparities in this population. Study findings provide Latino group-specific actionable information and targets for improving cardiovascular health.

Slipping through the cracks-detection of sex trafficking in the adult emergency department: An integrative review.

INTRODUCTION: Current research estimates that over 24 million individuals experience human trafficking worldwide. There is a growing prevalence of sex trafficking in the United States. An estimated 87% of trafficked persons visit the emergency department during their captivity. Emergency departments across the United States use differing screening methods for sex trafficking. Current screening tools return a high rate of false negatives, and the appropriate use of tools or standardised lists remains unclear. AIMS: To explore best practices for identifying sex trafficking among adults who visit emergency departments. We sought to answer the practice question: How does the implementation of a multifaceted screening model for sex trafficking, versus the use of a list of standardised screening questions, improve the detection of trafficked persons? METHODS: We conducted an integrative review of articles published after 2016 in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases. PRISMA checklist and guidelines were used. Whittemore and Knafl's method was used to review the literature. RESULTS: A final selection of 11 articles were reviewed and appraised using the Johns Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice model. The synthesis of evidence yielded four themes: (1) Provider and personnel education; (2) Protocol establishment; (3) Legal consultation; and (4) Multidisciplinary teamwork. CONCLUSION: Through this process, we learned the importance of using multifaceted screening tools for identifying persons who are experiencing sex trafficking. In addition to using multifaceted screening tools, detection is improved when all emergency department personnel receive training on sex trafficking. There is a recognised lack of education on sex trafficking recognition nationwide. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Notably, emergency department nurses play an essential role in sex trafficking identification due to their maximised interaction with patients and the increased perception of trust that patients have with nurses. Steps include the development of an education program to improve recognition. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There was no patient or public involvement in the design or drafting of this integrative review.

Addressing hypertension among Haitian adults with insufficient access to quality healthcare: A discursive review.

AIM: The purpose of this article is to summarize research targeting hypertension and healthcare access among adults living in rural Haiti. BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a significant public health problem that impacts one in five persons globally. It is the leading cause of cardiovascular-related conditions such as stroke and myocardial infarction and accounts for most global non-communicable disease-related deaths. Limited healthcare access and social determinants of health are known contributors to poor health outcomes among persons with hypertension. Among Haitians, there are stark health disparities between those who live in urban versus rural areas. DESIGN: A discursive review. RESULTS: Several issues are identified as barriers to proper hypertension prevention and management. However, after examining the effective interventions, we found that social determinants of health such as transportation costs, lack of field care facilities close to patients, roadway conditions, political disturbance, and ineffective leadership and policies are major barriers to controlling hypertension in Haiti. Although Haiti has received help from international organizations, strengthening its internal infrastructure is paramount in improving healthcare access. DISCUSSION: The review concludes that Haitians living in rural parts of Haiti are less likely to receive healthcare to manage non-communicable diseases such as hypertension. Similar to other developing countries, a heightened awareness is needed to address the lack of healthcare access for those living in rural communities. IMPACT TO NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses and other healthcare professionals working with populations in Haiti should become aware of the barriers and facilitators that promote sufficient healthcare access. To achieve this goal, nurses must understand the social determinants and other factors that serve as barriers for achieving access to quality care for this vulnerable population. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There was no patient or public involvement in the design or drafting of this discursive paper.

Addressing systemic racism and intergenerational transmission of anxiety using Bowenian family therapy with African American populations: A Discursive paper.

AIM: To examine the intergenerational impact of systemic racism on mental health, depicting the evolution and patterns of anxiety symptoms and the application of the Bowenian family therapy to understand the interrelatedness and long-standing impact of intergenerational trauma in African American families. This article highlights interventions that increase awareness of and promotes physical and mental health for African American populations. DESIGN: Discursive Paper. METHOD: Searching literature published between 2012 and 2022 in PubMed, SCOPUS, EBSCO Host and Google Scholar, we explored factors associated with systemic racism and generational anxiety. DISCUSSION: Evidence-based literature supports the application of the Bowenian family therapy theoretical framework to understand the intergenerational impact of systemic racism and to address the transmission of anxiety symptoms in African American  populations. CONCLUSION: Culturally appropriate interventions are needed to decrease anxiety symptoms in an attempt to heal intergenerational trauma and to improve family dynamics in African American populations. IMPACT TO NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses play an integral role in providing holistic quality patient-centred care for African American populations who have experienced racial trauma. It is critical for nurses to implement culturally responsive and racially informed care with patients that focuses on self-awareness, health promotion, prevention and healing in efforts to address racial trauma. Application of Bowenian family therapy can aid in the reduction of both intergenerational transmission of racial trauma and generational anxiety. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There was no patient or public involvement in the design or drafting of this discursive paper. The authors reviewed the literature to develop a discussion.

Factors influencing intrapartum health outcomes among Black birthing persons: A discursive paper.

AIM: To examine factors that influence intrapartum health outcomes among Black childbearing persons, including cisgender women, transmasculine and gender-diverse birthing persons. BACKGROUND: Black childbearing persons are three to four times (243%) more likely to die while giving birth than any other racial/ethnic group. Black birthing persons are not just dying from complications but also from inequitable care from healthcare providers compared to their white counterparts. DESIGN: Discursive paper. METHOD: Searching national literature published between 2010 and 2021 in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and SCOPUS, we explored factors associated with poor intrapartum health outcomes among Black childbearing persons. DISCUSSION: Several studies have ruled out social determinants of health as sufficient causative factors for poor intrapartum health outcomes among Black birthing persons. Recent research has shown that discrimination by race heavily influences whether a birthing person dies while childbearing. CONCLUSIONS: There is a historical context for obstetric medicine that includes harmful stereotypes, implicit bias and racism, all having a negative impact on intrapartum health outcomes. The existing health disparity among this population is endemic and requires close attention. IMPACT ON NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses and other healthcare professionals must understand their role in establishing unbiased care that promotes respect for diversity, equity and inclusion. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There was no patient or public involvement in the design or drafting of this discursive paper.

Hand hygiene practices in Caribbean and Latin American countries: An integrative review.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To explore what is known about knowledge, attitudes and beliefs that influence hand hygiene practices in in low- and middle-income Caribbean and Latin American countries. BACKGROUND: With the emergence of infectious diseases such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, handwashing is key to preventing communicable diseases as they disproportionately affect populations in low-income countries. While hand hygiene is known to be the single most effective method for avoiding the transmission of infection, little is known about the beliefs and practices of individuals in these regions. METHODS: Following PRISMA 2020 Checklist, an integrative review of studies published from 2008-2020 was conducted (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses). Whittemore and Knafl's method was used to review the literature. Six databases were searched, and the Johns Hopkins Evidence Based Rating Scale was used for study appraisal. RESULTS: The review yielded 18 studies conducted across Latin America. Poor handwashing practices are influenced by various factors including inadequate education and training, cultural beliefs, lack of resources and substandard government regulations. Communicable diseases and other diarrheal illnesses were highly prevalent, especially after a major disease outbreak. CONCLUSION: Future post-disaster campaigns aimed at improving hand hygiene and handwashing practices should focus on beliefs and attitudes to affect behaviour change since there was a higher disease susceptibility during those times. Barriers to proper hand hygiene include false attitudes such as, washing hands only after touching bodily fluids/patient contact or not washing hands at all after open defecation. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Researchers working with populations in Latin America and the Caribbean should partner with local community health workers to improve compliance to recommended hand hygiene practices.

Migration-Related Weight Changes among African Immigrants in the United States.

(1) Background: people who migrate from low-to high-income countries are at an increased risk of weight gain, and excess weight is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Few studies have quantified the changes in body mass index (BMI) pre- and post-migration among African immigrants. We assessed changes in BMI pre- and post-migration from Africa to the United States (US) and its associated risk factors. (2) Methods: we performed a cross-sectional analysis of the African Immigrant Health Study, which included African immigrants in the Baltimore-Washington District of the Columbia metropolitan area. BMI category change was the outcome of interest, categorized as healthy BMI change or maintenance, unhealthy BMI maintenance, and unhealthy BMI change. We explored the following potential factors of BMI change: sex, age at migration, percentage of life in the US, perceived stress, and reasons for migration. We performed multinomial logistic regression adjusting for employment, education, income, and marital status. (3) Results: we included 300 participants with a mean (±SD) current age of 47 (±11.4) years, and 56% were female. Overall, 14% of the participants had a healthy BMI change or maintenance, 22% had an unhealthy BMI maintenance, and 64% had an unhealthy BMI change. Each year of age at immigration was associated with a 7% higher relative risk of maintaining an unhealthy BMI (relative risk ratio [RRR]: 1.07; 95% CI 1.01, 1.14), and compared to men, females had two times the relative risk of unhealthy BMI maintenance (RRR: 2.67; 95% CI 1.02, 7.02). Spending 25% or more of life in the US was associated with a 3-fold higher risk of unhealthy BMI change (RRR: 2.78; 95% CI 1.1, 6.97). (4) Conclusions: the age at immigration, the reason for migration, and length of residence in the US could inform health promotion interventions that are targeted at preventing unhealthy weight gain among African immigrants.

Heterogeneity in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Prevalence Among White, African American, African Immigrant, and Afro-Caribbean Adults: Insights From the 2010-2018 National Health Interview Survey.

Background In the United States, Black adults have higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors than White adults. However, it is unclear how CVD risk factors compare between Black ethnic subgroups, including African Americans (AAs), African immigrants (AIs), and Afro-Caribbeans, and White people. Our objective was to examine trends in CVD risk factors among 3 Black ethnic subgroups and White adults between 2010 and 2018. Methods and Results A comparative analysis of the National Health Interview Survey was conducted among 452 997 participants, examining sociodemographic characteristics and trends in 4 self-reported CVD risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, overweight/obesity, and smoking). Generalized linear models with Poisson distribution were used to obtain predictive probabilities of the CVD risk factors. The sample included 82 635 Black (89% AAs, 5% AIs, and 6% Afro-Caribbeans) and 370 362 White adults. AIs were the youngest, most educated, and least insured group. AIs had the lowest age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of all 4 CVD risk factors. AAs had the highest prevalence of hypertension (2018: 41.9%) compared with the other groups. Overweight/obesity and diabetes prevalence increased in AAs and White adults from 2010 to 2018 (P values for trend <0.001). Smoking prevalence was highest among AAs and White adults, but decreased significantly in these groups between 2010 and 2018 (P values for trend <0.001), as compared with AIs and Afro-Caribbeans. Conclusions We observed significant heterogeneity in CVD risk factors among 3 Black ethnic subgroups compared with White adults. There were disparities (among AAs) and advantages (among AIs and Afro-Caribbeans) in CVD risk factors, suggesting that race alone does not account for disparities in CVD risk factors.

Cultural Humility Toolkit.

BACKGROUND: Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are increasingly recognized as core values for nursing education and practice. PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to offer teaching tools and strategies to integrate cultural humility within the nursing curriculum and create a more inclusive learning environment. APPROACH: Various teaching tools, methods, and strategies are presented. OUTCOMES: Use of ground rules, an environmental assessment, examination of the curriculum landscape and teaching materials, bias awareness activity, modified privilege walk, Modified Monopoly, simulation, low-income community experiences, study abroad, debriefing, and evaluation with valid and reliable tools are suggested. CONCLUSIONS: By threading cultural humility concepts throughout the curriculum, nurse educators have the potential to shape learner perspectives to better appreciate and value diversity.

Acculturation and Cardiovascular Risk Screening among African Immigrants: The African Immigrant Health Study.

Acculturation and immigration-related factors may impact preventive, routine cardiovascular risk (CV) screening among African immigrants. We examined the associations between length of stay, percent of life spent in the U.S. (proxy for acculturation), and CV screening. Outcomes were recent screening for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine these relationships. Among 437 African immigrants, 60% were males, mean age was 47 years, 61% had lived in the U.S. for ≥10 years, mean length of stay was 15 years, and 81% were employed. Only 67% were insured. In the 12 months prior, 85% had screened for hypertension, 45% for diabetes, and 63% for dyslipidemia. African immigrants with a ≥10-year length of U.S. stay had 2.20 (95%Confidence Intervals: 1.31−3.67), and those with >25% years of life spent in the U.S. had 3.62 (95%CI: 1.96−6.68) higher odds of dyslipidemia screening compared to those with a <10-year length of stay and ≤25% years of life spent in the U.S., respectively. Overall, screening for CV risk higher in African immigrants who have lived longer (≥10 years) in the U.S. Recent African immigrants may experience challenges in accessing healthcare. Health policies targeting recent and uninsured African immigrants may improve access to CV screening services.

Approaches for establishing and sustaining clinical academic partnerships: A discursive review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To discuss the need for a formalised structure that bridges the clinical and academic realms with concrete recommendations for programme development. BACKGROUND: In the rapidly changing landscape of health care, nurses are challenged with the responsibility to engage in evidence-based practice, quality improvement and research projects. Clinical and academic partnerships play a vital role in fostering collaboration, mentorship and resources. DESIGN: Discursive paper. METHOD: Searching international literature published between 2010-2020 in PubMed, CINAHL and Google Scholar, we explored the benefits, barriers and facilitators of clinical academic partnerships from the available evidence and professional perspectives from both sides of a clinical/academic collaboration. DISCUSSION: Evidence-based literature supports the establishment of partnerships schools of nursing and clinical institutions to improve patient outcomes and experiences and provide additional resources for improved research and practice capacity between both entities. Barriers to establishing clinical academic partnerships included lack of time, lack of formal collaborations and knowledge deficits. Facilitators included visible leadership endorsement, mentoring and modelling a culture of inquiry. CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of formalised clinical academic partnerships can be used to develop continuing education programmes, promote engagement in nursing inquiry, fill in knowledge gaps in practice and improve available resources and patient outcomes. There is a great need for capacity building in hospitals, superficially, those with a mission to address the research-practice gap, promote nursing excellence and improve patient outcomes. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurse leaders play an instrumental role in establishing sustainable clinical academic partnerships that create shared resources, resulting in mutual benefit, and influences a much-needed shift in organisational culture and infrastructure.

Social determinants of hypertension and diabetes among African immigrants: the African immigrants health study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between social determinants of health, hypertension, and diabetes among African immigrants. METHODS: The African Immigrant Health Study was a cross-sectional study of the health of African immigrants in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. The outcomes of interest were self-reported diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between educational status, employment, income, social support, health insurance, and self-reported diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes, adjusting for age, sex, and length of stay in the U.S. RESULTS: A total of 465 participants with mean (±SD) age 47 (±11.5) years were included. Sixty percent were women, 64% had a college degree or higher, 83% were employed, 67% had health insurance, and 70% were married/cohabitating. Over half (60%) of the participants had lived in the United States for ≥ 10 years, and 84% were overweight/obese. The overall prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was 32% and 13%, respectively. The odds of diabetes was higher (aOR: 5.00, 95% CI: 2.13, 11.11) among those who were unemployed than among those who were employed, and the odds of hypertension was higher among those who had health insurance (aOR:1.73, 95% CI: 1.00, 3.00) than among those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Among African immigrants, those who were unemployed had a higher likelihood of a self-reported diagnosis of diabetes than those who were employed. Also, people who had health insurance were more likely to self-report a diagnosis of hypertension. Additional studies are needed to further understand the influence of social determinants of health on hypertension and diabetes to develop health policies and interventions to improve the cardiovascular health of African immigrants.