Effectiveness of receiving genetic risk information for cardiovascular disease on health behaviors, psychological responses, and associated risk factor modification in individuals: a systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: This review aims to assess the effectiveness of receiving genetic risk information for cardiovascular disease (CVD) on individual health behaviors, psychological responses, and risk factor modification. INTRODUCTION: Advancements in genomics have identified strong genetic predispositions for CVD, leading to the development of CVD genetic risk information. Integrating genetic risk information into clinical practice shows promise in predicting CVD risk and facilitating multifactorial management. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review will focus on randomized controlled trials assessing individual responses to CVD genetic risk information. Participants will be adults aged 18 and older, both with and without CVD. The review will compare the effectiveness of receiving genetic risk information with receiving traditional risk information or no risk information, assessing outcomes such as health behaviors, psychological responses, and risk factor modification. METHODS: Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and Emcare will be searched for relevant studies. Current or unpublished trials will be searched for in Clinical-Trials.gov and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Articles will be screened and assessed for inclusion by 2 independent reviewers. Methodological quality will be assessed using the standardized instrument from JBI. Data will be extracted and synthesized for the objectives of the study. If data are sufficient, a meta-analysis will be conducted; otherwise, the findings will be presented in narrative format, including tables and figures to aid in presentation. The certainty of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42023390876.

The effectiveness of visualising plaque on cardiac computed tomography in modifying risk factors for cardiovascular disease: A systematic review.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of disease burden worldwide, with a significant proportion of cases and deaths attributable to modifiable risk factors. Recent interest has emerged in using cardiac computed tomography (CT) imaging as a tool to enhance motivation and drive positive behavioural changes. However, the impact of providing visual feedback of plaque from CT on risk factor control and individual health behaviours remains understudied. This study aimed to assess the effects of visual feedback from cardiac CT imaging on health-related behaviours and risk factor control. A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted, yielding nine studies (five randomised controlled trials and four observational studies) for analysis. The results varied, but based on the limited low-quality data, CT imaging appears to have short-term favourable effects on cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure reductions, and positive dietary behavioural changes. Further research is warranted to better understand the long-term impact of cardiac CT imaging on health behaviours and risk factor modification.

The impact of the intensive care unit family liaison nurse role on communication during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative descriptive study of healthcare professionals' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted patient and family communication and patient- and family-centred care in the intensive care unit (ICU). A new role-the ICU Family Liaison Nurse (FLN)-was introduced in an Australian metropolitan hospital ICU to facilitate communication between patient and family and ICU healthcare professionals, although there is limited knowledge about the impact of this from the ICU healthcare professionals' perspectives. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the ICU FLN role on communication with patients and their family during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the ICU healthcare professionals' perspectives. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Seven participants including ICU FLNs, ICU doctors, nurses, and social workers who worked with the ICU FLNs were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Two main themes related to the ICU FLN role were identified. First, the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges to patient and family communication, but it also created opportunities to improve patient and family communication. Second, the ICU FLN role brought beneficial impacts to the ICU healthcare professionals' workflow and work experience, as well as patient and family communication. The ICU FLN role has potential benefits that extend beyond the pandemic. CONCLUSION: We found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICU FLN role was acceptable, beneficial, and appreciated from the ICU healthcare professionals' perspectives. Further research should continue the evaluation of the ICU FLN role during and post the pandemic.