Evidence-based healthcare competence of social- and healthcare educators: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: The purpose of the study was to describe social and healthcare educators' evidence-based healthcare competence and explore the associated factors. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out. METHODS: The research spanned 5 universities, 19 universities of applied sciences, and 10 vocational colleges in Finland from September to December 2022. Social and healthcare educators (n = 256), of which 21 worked at universities, 176 worked at universities of applied sciences, and 49 worked at vocational colleges. Data collection employed a self-assessed instrument that was designed to measure evidence-based healthcare competence based on the JBI Model of Evidence-based Healthcare. Competence profiles were formed using K-cluster grouping analysis. RESULTS: The educators' self-evaluations of their level of evidence-based healthcare competence were generally at a satisfactory level, with subsequent analyses identifying four distinct profiles of evidence-based healthcare competence. The profiles demonstrated statistically significant differences in terms of evidence synthesis and evidence transfer competencies. The factors associated with evidence-based healthcare competence included level of education, the year in which a professional had obtained their highest degree, current organization of employment, and participation in continuing education. CONCLUSIONS: Educators require various types of support for developing high levels of evidence-based healthcare competence. The identification of distinct competence profiles can be pivotal to providing educators with training that is tailored to their exact needs to provide an individualized learning path. WHAT PROBLEM DID THE STUDY ADDRESS?: Educators value the role of evidence in teaching, which reinforces the need to integrate aspects of the JBI Model of evidence-based healthcare into educators' competencies. Aspects of the JBI Model of evidence-based healthcare have not been holistically measured, with only certain components of the model considered separately. Educators need to better understand the global healthcare environment so they can identify research gaps and subsequently develop healthcare systems through their educational role. Higher academic education, work experience, organizational support, and continuous education play essential roles in the development of educators' evidence-based healthcare competence. WHAT WERE THE MAIN FINDINGS?: Educators generally have high levels of competence in evidence-based healthcare. Educators have mastered the different components of the JBI model of evidence-based healthcare but need to improve in areas such as the transfer and implementation of evidence. WHERE AND ON WHOM WILL THE RESEARCH HAVE AN IMPACT?: Determining evidence-based healthcare competence profiles for educators can be used to provide individualized learning paths for the development of evidence-based healthcare competence. Educators need to further develop their competence in evidence-based healthcare to ensure successful implementation and high-quality education in the future. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Healthcare professionals' experience regarding competencies in specialized and primary stroke units: A qualitative study.

AIM: To describe healthcare professionals' experience of needed competence in patient stroke care within specialist and primary healthcare. BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals who provide stroke care need multifaceted, multi-professional skills; ongoing training is important for competent stroke care. DESIGN: A descriptive qualitative study. METHODS: Six focus group interviews with semi-structured interviews were conducted in October and November 2020. Healthcare professionals (n = 25) working in stroke care units in both specialist and primary healthcare settings were interviewed. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed inductively by content analysis. The study was conducted, and results were reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. RESULTS: Five main categories were identified: clinical competence; multiprofessional networking competence; competence in interaction skills; emotional and psychoeducational support competence; and self-management and development competence. CONCLUSION: Competence in stroke care includes both in-depth and wide-ranging professional competences that require ongoing development. Utilizing various education models and collaborative learning approaches can help meet the requirements for developing competence in stroke care. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Patient experiences on the quality of cerebrovascular diseases counselling using digital solutions in hospital-A qualitative research study.

AIM: To describe patients' experiences of the quality of counselling to develop new digital counselling solutions for patients with cerebrovascular disease. DESIGN: A descriptive, qualitative approach. METHODS: Semi-structured in-person interviews were conducted among 22 patients diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular disease and treated as inpatients at a single university hospital in Finland between September 2021 and February 2022. Data were analysed using deductive and inductive content analysis. RESULTS: The identified facilitators, barriers and possible solutions for the development of new digital counselling solutions were deductively categorized into five main categories: (1) background factors, (2) resources, (3) implementation, (4) sufficiency, and (5) effects and 12 generic categories. Patients with cerebrovascular diseases worry about symptoms affecting their ability to receive information and valued a supportive atmosphere. Staff should have more time for counselling and use motivational digital counselling solutions in plain language, moderate length and with multimedia content. Patients desired reminders, easy search functions and possibilities for two-way communication. CONCLUSION: New digital counselling solutions could be beneficial in supporting the patients' knowledge, emotions and adherence. For the success of such solutions, patients' special needs concerning different levels of cognitive impairment need to be considered. IMPACT: The results of this study may benefit healthcare organizations in the development of digital counselling solutions that meet the patients' needs. REPORTING METHOD: We have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines with the COREQ reporting method. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients were involved as the study population.

Nurses' experiences of competence in lifestyle counselling with adult patients in healthcare settings: A qualitative systematic literature review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify and synthesise nurses' experiences of competence in lifestyle counselling with adult patients in healthcare settings. BACKGROUND: Modifiable lifestyle risk behaviours contribute to an increased prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide. Lifestyle counselling is part of nurses' role which enables them to make a significant contribution to patients' long-term health in various healthcare contexts, but requires particular competence. DESIGN: Qualitative systematic literature review and meta-aggregation. METHOD: The review was guided by Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for conducting synthesis of qualitative studies. PRISMA-checklist guided the review process. Relevant original studies were search from databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Medic and Psych Articles, Ebscho Open Dissertations and Web of Science). After researcher consensus was reached and quality of the studies evaluated, 20 studies were subjected to meta-aggregation. RESULTS: From 20 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, 75 findings were extracted and categorised into 13 groups based on their meaning, resulting in the identification of 5 synthesised findings for competence description: Supporting healthy lifestyle adherence, creating interactive and patient-centred counselling situations, acquiring competence through clinical experience and continuous self-improvement, collaborating with other professionals and patients, planning lifestyle counselling and managing work across various stages of the patient's disease care path. CONCLUSION: The review provides an evidence base that can be used to support nurses' competence in lifestyle counselling when working with adult patients in healthcare settings. Lifestyle counselling competence is a complex and rather abstract phenomenon. The review identified, analysed and synthesised the evidence derived from nurses' experience which shows that lifestyle counselling competence is a multidimensional entity which relates to many other competencies within nurses' work. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: Recognising the competencies of nurses in lifestyle counselling for adult patients can stimulate nurses' motivation. The acquisition of these competencies can have a positive impact on patients' lives and their health. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution. IMPACT: The research may enhance nurses' competence in lifestyle counselling, leading to improved health outcomes, better adherence to recommendations and overall well-being. It may also drive the development of interventions, improving healthcare delivery in lifestyle counselling. REPORTING METHOD: The review was undertaken and reported using the PRISMA guidelines. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: Blinded for the review.

Advanced practice nurses' evidence-based healthcare competence and associated factors: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based healthcare (EBHC) enables consistent and effective healthcare that prioritises patient safety. The competencies of advanced practice nurses (APNs) are essential for implementing EBHC because their professional duties include promoting EBHC. AIM: To identify, critically appraise, and synthesise the best available evidence concerning the EBHC competence of APNs and associated factors. DESIGN: A systematic review. DATA SOURCES: CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Medic, ProQuest, and MedNar. METHODS: Databases were searched for studies (until 19 September 2023) that examined the EBHC competence and associated factors of APNs were included. Quantitative studies published in English, Swedish and Finnish were included. We followed the JBI methodology for systematic review and performed a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: The review included 12 quantitative studies, using 15 different instruments, and involved 3163 participants. The quality of the studies was fair. The APNs' EBHC competence areas were categorised into five segments according to the JBI EBHC model. The strongest areas of competencies were in global health as a goal, transferring and implementing evidence, while the weakest were generating and synthesising evidence. Evidence on factors influencing APNs' EBHC competencies was contradictory, but higher levels of education and the presence of an organisational research council may be positively associated with APNs' EBHC competencies. CONCLUSION: The development of EBHC competencies for APNs should prioritise evidence generation and synthesis. Elevating the education level of APNs and establishing a Research Council within the organisation can potentially enhance the EBHC competence of APNs. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: We should consider weaknesses in EBHC competence when developing education and practical exercises for APNs. This approach will promote the development of APNs' EBHC competence and EBHC implementation in nursing practice. REGISTRATION, AND REPORTING CHECKLIST: The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021226578), and reporting followed the PRISMA checklist. PATIENT/PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: None.

Registered nurses' cultural orientation competence for culturally and linguistically diverse nurses in the hospital setting: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS: To explore registered nurses' cultural orientation competence profiles for providing culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) nurses with orientation in the hospital setting, and to identify which factors are associated with cultural orientation competence profiles. DESIGN: A descriptive, explorative cross-sectional study. METHODS: Data were collected from December 2020 to January 2021 using the Preceptors' Orientation Competence Instrument (POCI) and Preceptors' Cultural Orientation Competence Instrument (POCCI). A total of 844 registered nurses from one university hospital district in Finland participated, reflecting a response rate of 10%. A K-means cluster algorithm was employed to identify different cultural orientation competence profiles. RESULTS: The cluster analysis identified three cultural orientation competence profiles (A, B and C). Nurses in Profile A evaluated their cultural orientation competence the highest, with members of profiles B and C demonstrating the second highest and lowest, respectively, cultural orientation competence scores. Several factors were associated with cultural orientation competence profiles, namely, orientation education and student mentoring education, support from managers and colleagues, motivation, willingness to act as a preceptor, time to provide orientation, sufficient clinical and theoretical nursing skills and current work title. CONCLUSION: Cultural diversity and acceptance of it can be enhanced by building accepting culture towards new incomers and offering continuing education to improve the cultural competence of staff, which can further benefit patient care of CALD patients. Orientation practices can be improved by rewarding staff and building collaborative teamwork culture. IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Organizations can strengthen nurses' cultural orientation competence; for example, by providing adequate orientation education and allocating more time to the orientation process. REPORTING METHOD: The STROBE criteria were used to report the results of the observations critically. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Frontline nurse leaders' competences in evidence-based healthcare: A scoping review.

AIM: To identify evidence on frontline nurse leaders' competences in evidence-based healthcare (EBHC) and the instruments measuring these competences. DESIGN: A scoping review. DATA SOURCES: The search was conducted in June 2021 and complemented in June 2022. The CINAHL, ProQuest, Medline (Ovid), Scopus, Web of Science databases and MedNar along with the Finnish database Medic were searched. REVIEW METHOD: The scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs institute methodology for scoping reviews. Titles, abstracts and full-text versions were screened independently by two reviewers according to the inclusion criteria. Deductive-inductive content analysis was used to synthesize data. RESULTS: A total of 3211 articles published between 1997 and 2022 were screened, which resulted in the inclusion of 16 articles. Although frontline nurse leaders had a positive attitude towards EBHC, they had a lack of implementing EBHC competence into practice. Part of the instruments were used in the studies, and only one focused especially on leaders. None of instruments systematically covered all segments of EBHC. CONCLUSION: There is a limited understanding of frontline nurse leaders' competence in EBHC. It is important to understand the importance of EBHC in healthcare and invest in the development of its competence at all levels of leaders. Frontline nurse leaders' support is essential for direct care nurses to use EBHC to ensure the quality of care and benefits to patients. Leaders must enhance their own EBHC competence to become role models for direct care nurses. It is also essential to develop valid and reliable instruments to measure leaders' competence covering all EBHC segments. The results can be utilized in the assessment and development of frontline nurse leaders' EBHC competence by planning and producing education and other competence development methods.

Generic competence among health sciences students in higher education - A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Highly competent health care experts are needed for the development of the social and health care sectors. More knowledge is needed on the levels of generic competencies that health sciences experts possess, particularly in the context of complex decision-making. OBJECTIVES: To describe self-evaluated generic competence of health sciences students and its associated factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational study design. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 291 health science students in five universities in Finland participated in this study during the spring of 2022. METHODS: The data was collected by using the HealthGenericCom instrument with 88 items and 8 sum dimensions using a five-point Likert scale (1-poor to 5-excellent): 1) competence in leadership, administration, and finance; 2) people-centred guiding competence; 3) competence of health promotion; 4) competence of evidence-based practice; 5) digital competence; 6) competence in work well-being and self-management; 7) competence in collaboration and problem-solving, and 8) competence in societal interaction. The K-means cluster algorithm was used to classify generic competence profiles to identify the profiles of health sciences students. RESULTS: Four generic health sciences competence profiles (A = 18 %, B = 23 %, C = 33 %, D = 26 %) were identified. Profile A demonstrated the lowest level of most generic competencies in health sciences. Digital competence was shown to be at the lowest level among the participants, whereas competence in collaboration, problem-solving, and health promotion was evaluated as the highest competence level. The students evaluated their competence as being higher when they were older, were currently engaged in master's degree programmes, had completed work-based practical training in social and health care, and had varied work experiences or held leading positions. CONCLUSIONS: Students need to improve their generic competencies in health sciences, with a particular focus on developing their digital competence. More focus should be given to work-based practical training.

Experiences of implementation of the group-based adaptation training intervention for patients with chronic somatic illnesses or disabilities among multi-professional teams in specialized healthcare.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experiences of multi-professional teams of implementation of group-based adaptation training intervention for patients with chronic somatic illnesses or disabilities in specialized healthcare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multi-professional teams (n = 7) implementing adaptation training courses for chronically ill patients in specialised healthcare were interviewed between 09/2020 and 12/2021. The themes for thematic group interviews were based on the standard protocol implementation of adaptation training in specialised healthcare, including planning, implementation and evaluation of the adaptation training courses. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: The experiences of multi-professional teams involved using pedagogical methods, providing guidance and counselling to support the rehabilitation process, ensuring opportunities for peer support, and supporting the course participants' involvement and activities in everyday life. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals should use pedagogical methods in reflective guidance and counselling to promote client-oriented approach in supporting adaptation. Their competence in pedagogy needs to be build and maintained by continuous education. Multi-professional teams need to ensure sufficient and versatile conditions for peer support and involvement of family members by creating open and trusting atmosphere, unhurried encounters, discussions, different and varying ways of working. Adaptation training can strengthen the self-efficacy of participants and help them shift their attention from illness and disability to thoughts of the future. Adaptation training can support active and meaningful daily life in a changed life situation.

Pedagogical methods are useful in multi-professional group rehabilitation interventions.Multi-professionalism is essential to providing meaningful guidance and counselling to support the rehabilitation process of patients with long-term illnesses and disabilities.Application of provided knowledge and counselling to everyday life as well as the involvement of family members and taking advantage of the possibilities of peer support, enables active agency in daily life and rehabilitation.

Mentors' cultural competence at mentoring culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students in clinical practice: An international cross-sectional study.

AIMS: This study aimed to identify mentors' cultural competence profiles at mentoring culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students in clinical practice and explore associating factors. BACKGROUND: Globalization has had a significant impact on healthcare, increasing the diversity of healthcare workforces and the number of culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students in clinical practice. The cultural competence of mentors is important to secure students' safe and successful learning. The mentor role in clinical practice contributes toward enabling and ensuring students' high-quality and goal-oriented development of competence. DESIGN: This study implemented a cross-sectional design with a final sample of 270 clinical practice mentors from Finland, Lithuania, Spain and Slovenia. METHODS: The data were collected using an online survey including the Mentors' Cultural Competence Instrument, Mentors' Competence Instrument and background questions during 2020-2021. The data were analyzed using a K-mean cluster algorithm to identify mentors' competency profiles. RESULTS: Three significantly differing mentor competency profiles (Profile A 42%, Profile B 41%, Profile C 17%) were identified in this study. The cultural competence of the mentors in clinical practice varied between intermediate and high levels. Mentors rated their cultural competence as best in the area of cultural sensitivity and awareness, whereas the lowest scored area was cultural interaction and safety. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the cultural competence of mentors in clinical practice varied and was influenced by mentors' work experience, age, job title and frequency of mentoring. This study provides new knowledge that could help to develop cultural competence operating models and education to enhance the cultural competence of healthcare professionals.

A quasi-experimental study of group counselling effectiveness for patient functional ability and quality of counselling among patients with hip arthroplasty.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate effectiveness of group counselling for the patients with hip arthroplasty, self-assessed functional ability, and quality of counselling. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study. METHOD: The questionnaire included the Counselling Quality Instrument (CQI), Harris hip score and Oldwellactive self-rated wellness profile. A Mann-Whitney U- and chi-squared and t-tests were used. A Wilcoxon singed rank test were used to evaluate changes in functional ability. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients and the public were not involved in the design, recruitment and implementation of this study. RESULTS: Fifty patients participated. Patients reported better results for limping (p = 0.000), walking distance (p = 0.000) and use of a walking aid (p = 0.001) in the follow-up time point and they pain decreased. Patients were satisfied with interactions during counselling; gender (p = 0.000) and use of a walking aid (p = 0.044) were found to significantly affect. A lack of goal-oriented counselling was in depressive symptoms (p = 0.016), worries (p = 0.010) and loneliness (p = 0.026).

The quality of long-term counselling for percutaneous coronary intervention patients: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To compare the long-term counselling quality among the patients visited and not visited at cardiac nurse after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and related factors one to two years after PCI. DESIGN: An explorative, register-based cross-sectional study. METHODOLOGY METHODS: A sample was drawn from the one university hospital's procedure register consisted of the patients undergone a PCI (n = 977). The data was collected by Counselling Quality Instrument (CQI) questionnaire by mail, and analysed by basic and multivariate methods. FINDINGS RESULTS: Of the respondents (n = 459), less than half the patients (48.4%) visited at cardiac nurse one to two years after PCI as instructed in the national current care guidelines. Patients, who visited the nurse (n = 194) had higher satisfaction for counselling than the ones not visited (n = 70). Nevertheless, patients, especially those who had no dyslipidemia, had Unstable Angina Pectoris or Non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction or were out of the workforce, were unsatisfied with counselling, and needed more social support, patient-centred counselling and goal orientating implementation from the cardiac nurse. A half of the PCI patients (51.6%) did not visit the cardiac nurse at the primary health care. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Cardiac nurses assisted the members of research group by assessing the questionnaire prior sending it to the patients and patients contributed by completing the questionnaires. We thank both parties for their contribution. IMPLICATION FOR PROFESSION AND PATIENT CARE: This study demonstrated, that patients out of the workforce and having emergency PCI are in need for better quality counselling, concentrating on social support, patient-centred counselling and goal orientating implementation from the cardiac nurse. Those patients, who did not visit the cardiac nurse, should be offered easier access to cardiac nurse for example, by novel digital solutions.

Interorganizational health information exchange-related patient safety incidents: A descriptive register-based qualitative study.

PURPOSE: The current literature related to patient safety of interorganizational health information is fragmented. This study aims to identify interorganizational health information exchange-related patient safety incidents occurring in the emergency department, emergency medical services, and home care. The research also aimed to describe the causes and consequences of these incidents. METHODS: A total of sixty (n = 60) interorganizational health information exchange-related patient safety incident free text reports were analyzed. The reports were reported in the emergency department, emergency medical services, or home care between January 2016 and December 2019 in one hospital district in Finland. RESULTS: The identified interorganizational health information exchange-related incidents were grouped under two main categories: "Inadequate documentation"; and "Inadequate use of information". The causes of these incidents were grouped under the two main categories "Factors related to the healthcare professional " and "Organizational factors", while the consequences of these incidents fell under the two main categories "Adverse events" and "Additional actions to prevent, avoid, and correct adverse events". CONCLUSION: This study shows that the inadequate documentation and use of information is mainly caused by factors related to the healthcare professional and organization, including technical problems. These incidents cause adverse events and additional actions to prevent, avoid, and correct the events. The sociotechnical perspective, including factors related to health care professionals, organization, and technology, should be emphasized in patient safety development of inter-organizational health information exchange and it will be the focus of our future research. Continuous research and development work is needed because the processes and information systems used in health care are constantly evolving.

Problematic Internet Use among Adults: A Cross-Cultural Study in 15 Countries.

BACKGROUND: The present study compared adult usage patterns of online activities, the frequency rate of problematic internet use (PIU), and risk factors (including the psychopathology associated with PIU, i.e., distress and impulsivity) among adults in 15 countries from Europe, America, and Asia. METHODS: A total of 5130 adults from Belgium, Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, UK, Norway, Peru, Canada, US, and Indonesia completed an online survey assessing PIU and a number of psychological variables (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress, and impulsivity). The sample included more females, with a mean age of 24.71 years (SD = 8.70). RESULTS: PIU was slightly lower in European countries (rates ranged from 1.1% in Finland to 10.1% in the UK, compared to 2.9% in Canada and 10.4% in the US). There were differences in specific PIU rates (e.g., problematic gaming ranged from 0.4% in Poland to 4.7% in Indonesia). Regression analyses showed that PIU was predicted by problematic social networking and gaming, lack of perseverance, positive urgency, and depression. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in PIU between countries were significant for those between continental regions (Europe versus non-European countries). One of the most interesting findings is that the specific PIU risks were generally low compared to contemporary literature. However, higher levels of PIU were present in countries outside of Europe, although intra-European differences existed.

Effectiveness of mentoring education on health care professionals´ mentoring competence: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Different types of educational approaches are needed to build a mentor's competence in guiding students during clinical practice; this education should be provided in an interprofessional setting. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to evaluate how effective mentoring education interventions are at improving mentoring competence among health care professionals. DESIGN: A systematic review. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was conducted across five electronic databases: CINAHL, PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, and Medic. The search did not have any time limitations and included original studies published in English, Finnish or Swedish. REVIEW METHODS: JBI critical appraisal tools for quasi-experimental studies and randomized controlled trials were used to assess the quality of the selected studies. The eligibility of potentially relevant studies was assessed by two independent researchers based on title, abstract, and full text, along with overall methodological quality. The study findings were synthesized using data tabulation and narrative analysis. RESULTS: A total of two randomized controlled trials and six quasi-experimental studies were included in the review. The described mentoring education interventions were carried out in university hospitals, central hospitals, tertiary care centers, and other health service settings. All of the described educational interventions involved the pedagogical method of blended learning, while three studies also involved web-based learning. The presented educational interventions included versatile pedagogical frameworks, e.g., interactive practical training sessions, teaching workshops, and technology-mediated interactions. One study contained a control group. CONCLUSION: This systematic review can provide insight and evidence-based that can be used to design effective mentoring education. Further research is needed and would ideally include randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies with reference groups; this type of research could further elucidate which aspects of mentoring education are most important for improving the guidance skills of health care professionals.

Effectiveness of Digital Counseling Before Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging.

PURPOSE: To review and synthesize the available evidence on the effectiveness of preparatory digital counseling for children undergoing diagnostic imaging and their parents in terms of patient-related and imaging outcomes. METHODS: Relevant studies were identified by searching databases and gray literature resources. References from full-text articles identified in the initial search were searched manually to identify additional relevant studies. The reviewed literature included studies on children and adolescents aged 3 to 21 years, their parents, or both, who participated in digital counseling interventions before medical imaging examinations. Literature selection and quality appraisal were conducted by 2 independent reviewers. Data were extracted using standardized tools and synthesized using the narrative synthesis approach. This review was reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies were included in this review. Digital counseling was provided via multiple approaches with interactive elements. Digital counseling was reported to be effective at reducing anxiety and increasing knowledge and satisfaction among children and their parents. It also appeared to reduce the need for general anesthesia and to improve the success of imaging procedures based on image quality and number of repeated images required. Digital counseling also appeared to increase children's confidence and help them remain still during the imaging process. DISCUSSION: The increased knowledge from digital counseling can strengthen senses of security and self-efficacy, which are important for successful medical imaging examinations, especially in children. The digital counseling applications used in the included studies are location-independent, and children and their parents can use them as often as they want, which might help ensure the provision of sufficient counseling before procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Digital counseling seems to be an effective method for preparing children for diagnostic imaging and a useful tool for facilitating successful medical imaging examinations of children. Because of the small number of original studies in this area, further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of digital counseling in children's diagnostic imaging.

Effects of a 360° virtual counselling environment on patient anxiety and CCTA process time: A randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated whether a 360° virtual counselling environment (360°VCE) was more effective at decreasing patients' anxiety than routine standard of care counselling for patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and if there was any difference in the process times for both of these groups. METHODS: A total of 86 patients underwent CCTA in this randomised controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The 360°VCE was developed using spherical panoramic images and non-immersive 360° technology. The primary outcome, anxiety, was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The secondary outcome, CCTA process time, was measured from the time of arrival in the department until end of examination. RESULTS: Pre-scan anxiety was lower among patients in the 360°VCE group immediately before CCTA in comparison to patients in the control group (p = 0.015). Women demonstrated higher levels of anxiety than men in both groups. No between-group differences were discerned in CCTA process time. CONCLUSION: Access to 360°VCE can reduce patients' pre-CCTA anxiety levels. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The presented results can be used to improve patient counselling and care, reduce anxiety among patients undergoing CCTA, and optimise the CCTA examination procedure.

Randomised controlled trials addressing how the clinical application of information and communication technology impacts the quality of patient care-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The number of people with chronic and long-term conditions has increased during recent decades; this has been addressed by leveraging information and communication technology (ICT) to develop new self-care solutions. However, many of the developed technological solutions have not been tested in terms of impact(s) on patients' quality of care. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to identify the current best evidence on the types of interventions that have been developed to improve the quality of patient care through the clinical application of ICT in primary, tertiary or home care. DESIGN: A systematic review, including a meta-analysis, was conducted according to the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis guidelines. DATA SOURCES: Relevant data were identified from four electronic databases: CINAHL, PUBMED, SCOPUS and MEDIC. REVIEW METHODS: The eligibility criteria were formatted according to PICOS inclusion and exclusion criteria. At least two researchers performed the screening process separately, after which they agreed upon the results. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment and JBI Critical Appraisal tool for randomised controlled studies (RCTs) were used to assess research quality. Data were extracted, and a meta-analysis was performed if the research met quantitative requirements. RESULTS: Of the 528 initially identified studies, 11 studies were chosen for final data synthesis. All of the interventions integrated ICT solutions into patient care to improve the quality of care. Patients across all of the RCTs were educated through direct training, the provision of information relevant to their disease or one-to-one educational coaching. The interventions included various interactions, e.g. nurse expert visits and support, and support provided by peers, groups or family members. These interactions occurred through face-to-face coaching, virtual human coaching or virtual coaching that relied on an algorithm. The performed meta-analysis included 6 of the 11 identified studies. The overall effect was nonsignificant, with three studies demonstrating a significant postintervention effect on patients' quality of care and quality of life and three studies a nonsignificant effect. CONCLUSIONS: The presented results suggest that ICT-based care should be developed in collaboration with nurses and other health care professionals, involve patients in decision-making and combine ICT solutions with human interaction and coaching. ICT education was found to be essential to the success of an intervention.

Effects of a lifestyle counselling intervention on adherence to lifestyle changes 7 years after stroke - A quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to medication and healthy lifestyle is crucial for preventing secondary strokes and other vascular events. However, there is not enough evidence on the long-term effects of hospital-initiated lifestyle counselling. AIM: To determine the effects of The Risk Factor Targeted Lifestyle Counselling Intervention, which is implemented during acute hospitalisation, on adherence to lifestyle changes 7 years after stroke or TIA. METHODS: Quasi-experimental design with 7-year follow-up period. Baseline data (n = 150) were gathered from a neurology unit in Finland between 2010 and 2011. Patients received either the studied intervention (n = 75) or the prevailing form of counselling at the time (n = 75). Data concerning lifestyle and clinical values were measured at the baseline time point, while adherence to lifestyle changes was assessed 7 years later (2017-2018). Analysis of covariance and multivariate ordinal logistic regression were used to describe the mean differences between the intervention and control groups. RESULTS: Several between-group differences were detected, namely, members of the intervention group reported consuming less alcohol and having lost more weight during hospitalisation relative to the control group. No between-group differences in the prevalence of smokers were found, but the intervention group reported a greater number of daily cigarettes than the control group. Adherence to medication, importance of adherence to a healthy lifestyle, support from family and friends, and support from nurses were all significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the lifestyle counselling intervention was effective in decreasing alcohol use and weight, as well as increasing factors that are known to support adherence to a healthy lifestyle. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results indicate that the adherence process already begins during acute phase counselling. To ensure long-lasting lifestyle changes, counselling should be started at the hospital, after which it can be provided by friends and family members.

Parent and carer experiences of health care professionals' communication about childhood obesity: a qualitative systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the systematic review is to identify, critically appraise, and synthesize the best available qualitative evidence on parent and carer experiences of health care professionals' communication about childhood obesity. INTRODUCTION: Parents and carers play a key role in a child's environment and healthy development, which is why they can find it confronting to discuss their child's weight. This review will provide an insight into the experiences of parents and carers with health care professionals' communication about their child's overweight or obesity. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This qualitative review will consider participants who are parents and carers with a child with overweight or obesity (birth to 12 years). The phenomenon of interest is parents' and carers' lived experiences of childhood obesity communication from a health care professional, and the context is health care settings. Communication includes verbal or written communication about a child's obesity from health care professionals received by a parent or carer. METHODS: The proposed review will systematically search the following databases: MEDLINE (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), PsycINFO (Ovid), Scopus, LILACS, and the Finnish health sciences database MEDIC. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) will be searched for unpublished articles. A manual search will supplement the database searches. The quality of included studies will be assessed independently by 2 reviewers, and the qualitative data will be extracted from papers by 2 independent reviewers using the standardized JBI data extraction tool. The recommended JBI approach to critical appraisal, study selection, data extraction, and data synthesis meta-aggregation will be used. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42022297709.