Plastic induced urinary tract disease and dysfunction: a scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: In 2019 the World Health Organisation published a report which concluded microplastics in drinking water did not present a threat to human health. Since this time a plethora of research has emerged demonstrating the presence of plastic in various organ systems and their deleterious pathophysiological effects. METHODS: A scoping review was undertaken in line with recommendations from the Johanna Briggs Institute. Five databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Web of Science and EMBASE) were systematically searched in addition to a further grey literature search. RESULTS: Eighteen articles were identified, six of which investigated and characterised the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in the human urinary tract. Microplastics were found to be present in kidney, urine and bladder cancer samples. Twelve articles investigated the effect of MNPs on human cell lines associated with the human urinary tract. These articles suggest MNPs have a cytotoxic effect, increase inflammation, decrease cell viability and alter mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signalling pathways. CONCLUSION: Given the reported presence MNPs in human tissues and organs, these plastics may have potential health implications in bladder disease and dysfunction. As a result, institutions such as the World Health Organisation need to urgently re-evaluate their position on the threat of microplastics to public health. IMPACT STATEMENT: This scoping review highlights the rapidly emerging threat of microplastic contamination within the human urinary tract, challenging the World Health Organisation's assertion that microplastics pose no risk to public health. The documented cytotoxic effects of microplastics, alongside their ability to induce inflammation, reduce cell viability and disrupt signalling pathways, raise significant public health concerns relating to bladder cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic urinary tract infections and incontinence. As a result, this study emphasises the pressing need for further research and policy development to address the challenges surrounding microplastic contamination.

Utilization of the Intimacy and Sexuality Expression Preference tool in long-term care: a case study.

Introduction: Sexual wellness plays a crucial role in an individual's quality of life, interpersonal relationships, and self-concept, particularly among older adults residing in residential aged care facilities, including those with dementia. However, there is currently a limited person-centered approach to understanding the unique preferences of each older person regarding their intimate and sexual behaviors. To address this gap, the Intimacy and Sexuality Expression Preference (ISEP) tool was developed to facilitate meaningful discussions between healthcare professionals or workers and older individuals about their intimacy and sexuality needs and preferences. This paper explores the use of the ISEP tool with residents in long-term aged care, including those with dementia via a user-centric case study. Methods: ISEP tool interviews were conducted with 14 residents in a single residential aged care facility in Queensland, Australia. Results: The study presented valuable insights and contextual information from using the ISEP tool, including an example of a resident's response, which provided recommendations for better supporting the resident. This involves engaging in supportive conversations to facilitate the exploration, implementation, and assessment of practical and actionable strategies to meet intimacy and sexuality needs and preferences. Discussion: The ISEP tool shows promise in improving care practices and addressing the intimacy and sexuality needs of older individuals in aged care facilities. However, it is important to acknowledge that the study was conducted in a single aged care facility with a small group of residents, potentially limiting the generalisability of the findings. Further large-scale studies are necessary to establish the tool's broader applicability across different care settings.

Meal support intervention for eating disorders: a mixed-methods systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Mealtimes are a period of heightened distress for individuals with eating disorders. Patients frequently display maladaptive coping strategies, such as hiding food and using distraction techniques to avoid eating. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence for meal support interventions as a first-line intervention for eating disorders. METHOD: Six databases were systematically searched in January 2024. Papers including patients with an eating disorder, and meal support or meal supervision, were examined. Quality appraisal was conducted. RESULTS: Ten studies met inclusion criteria. Meal support was conducted individually and in group settings. Two studies examined the practical or interpersonal processes of meal support. Carers and trained clinicians implemented meal support. Individuals across the lifespan were examined. Settings included inpatient units, community clinics, and the home. Studies were heterogeneously evaluated with retrospective chart audits, pre- and post- cohort studies, semi-structured interviews, video analysis, and surveys. DISCUSSION: Meal support intervention is potentially suitable and beneficial for patients of various age groups and eating disorder diagnoses. Due to the lack of consistent approaches, it is apparent there is no standardised framework and manualised approach. This highlights the need for the development of a co-designed approach, adequate training, and rigorous evaluation.

Previous research indicates that meal support may be potentially beneficial as an independent intervention in the treatment of eating disorders, but inconsistent approaches and a lack of standardization make evaluations challenging. The current study aims to provide an overview of current meal support interventions, how they are implemented, and their impacts on health outcomes and hospital admissions in people experiencing an eating disorder. Gaps in current knowledge and research highlight the need for further investigation, and the development of a co-designed approach, adequate training, and rigorous evaluation.

The impact of moulage on learners' experience in simulation-based education and training: systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Moulage is a technique used to simulate injury, disease, aging and other physical characteristics specific to a scenario, often used in health and emergency worker training, predominantly for simulation-based learning activities. Its use in allied health fields is unclear. Previous work has explored moulage as an adjunct for authentic simulations, however there is opportunity for broadening its scope. AIM: To explore the effects of moulage interventions in simulation-based education and training, for learner experience. A secondary aim was to understand which pedagogical frameworks were embedded in moulage interventions. METHOD: Four electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EmBase, Proquest Central) were systematically searched to December 2022 for studies utilising moulage in simulation-based education experiences. Outcomes were focused on learner satisfaction, confidence, immersion, engagement, performance, or knowledge. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: Twenty studies (n = 11,470) were included. Studies were primarily conducted in medicine (n = 9 studies) and nursing (n = 5 studies) and less frequently across other health disciplines. The findings demonstrated greater learner satisfaction, confidence, and immersion when moulage was used against a comparator group. Minimal improvements in knowledge and performance were identified. One study underpinned the intervention with a pedagogical theory. CONCLUSION: Moulage improves learner experience in simulation-based education or training, but not knowledge or clinical performance. Further research utilising moulage across a broader range of professions is needed. Interventions using moulage should be underpinned by pedagogical theories.

Using machine learning to mine mental health diagnostic groups from emergency department presentations before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound negative effect on mental health worldwide. The hospital emergency department plays a pivotal role in responding to mental health crises. Understanding data trends relating to hospital emergency department usage is beneficial for service planning, particularly around preparing for future pandemics. Machine learning has been used to mine large volumes of unstructured data to extract meaningful data in relation to mental health presentations. This study aims to analyse trends in five mental health-related presentations to an emergency department before and during, the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Data from 690,514 presentations to two Australian, public hospital emergency departments between April 2019 to February 2022 were assessed. A machine learning-based framework, Mining Emergency Department Records, Evolutionary Algorithm Data Search (MEDREADS), was used to identify suicidality, psychosis, mania, eating disorder, and substance use. RESULTS: While the mental health-related presentations to the emergency department increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels, the proportion of mental health presentations relative to the total emergency department presentations decreased. Several troughs in presentation frequency were identified across the pandemic period, which occurred consistently during the public health lockdown and restriction periods. CONCLUSION: This study implemented novel machine learning techniques to analyse mental health presentations to an emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results inform understanding of the use of emergency mental health services during the pandemic, and highlight opportunities to further investigate patterns in presentation.

Understanding care plans in a psychiatric mother-baby unit.

INTRODUCTION: Care plans outline collaborative goals and strategies for recovery. While care planning is recommended across international mental health guidelines, scant attention has examined the unique nature of care planning within psychiatric mother-baby units. This retrospective audit aims to explore the content of care planning goals, compare against the World Health Organisation's (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), and devise a care plan framework to support development of admission goals. METHODOLOGY: A total of 63 care plans across admission, mid-admission and discharge were analysed. Using deductive content analysis, care plan goals were compared to the WHO ICF codes. Inductive content analysis was used to generate a framework for care plans. RESULTS: When compared to the WHO ICF codes, care plans were most commonly coded against d570 (looking after one's health) and d7600 (parent-child relationships). Care plans covered six main themes: mental health recovery, physical health, connecting with baby, caring for baby, relationships, and community supports. DISCUSSION: This study is the first to examine the nature of recovery goals in care plans within a mother-baby unit. The results inform a framework to support care planning and thereby facilitate holistic well-being and recovery for a mother with mental illness.

Evaluation of an Inpatient Psychiatric Mother-Baby Unit Using a Patient Reported Experience and Outcome Measure.

Understanding the patient experience of admission to a psychiatric mother-baby unit (MBU) informs service improvement and strengthens patient-centered care. This study aims to examine patients' experience, satisfaction, and change in mental health status related to MBU admission. At discharge, 70 women admitted to a public MBU completed the Patient Outcome and Experience Measure (POEM), rated the usefulness of therapeutic groups, and provided written qualitative feedback. Paired sample t-tests, correlations, and thematic content analysis were completed. Women were highly satisfied with the level of care and support received, particularly for those who were voluntarily admitted. Women reported an improvement in mental health from admission to discharge. Women appreciated the staff's interpersonal skills, provision of practical skills, education, advice, support from other women, and therapeutic groups offered. Women suggested improvements such as having greater food choices, more MBU beds, more group sessions, family visitations, which had been restricted due to COVID-19, environmental modifications, and clarity of communication surrounding discharge. This study highlights the benefits of MBUs and the specific aspects of care that are favorable in treating women with mental illnesses who are co-admitted with their baby in an MBU.

The diagnosis and management of a patient with acute pyelonephritis.

Lower urinary tract infections account for more than 224 000 hospital admissions each year and nearly all of these have the pathophysiological possibility to develop into pyelonephritis, known clinically as an upper urinary tract infection. Acute pyelonephritis is characterised by inflammation of the renal parenchyma caused by bacteriuria ascending from the bladder, up the ureters to the kidneys. Effective history taking, combined with refined physical examination skills, are the two most powerful tools to differentiate upper and lower urinary tract infections as well as assisting the practitioner to exclude other differential diagnoses. Utilisation of these skills by the practitioner, together with the recognised presenting symptom triad of flank pain, fever and nausea in this case study, enabled the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis to be given.