Understanding culturally tailored approaches in males of punjabi ancestry with alcohol use disorder at Roshni Clinic.

Learning Objectives: 1. Identify and describe factors that are important to the care of patients of Punjabi ancestry suffering from AUD. 2. Explain the importance of culturally tailored approaches to primary care in the context of AUD. Context: Structural and institutional racism in the healthcare system, language barriers, and stigma have resulted in people of color (POC) facing increased barriers to healthcare access, even though POC are often experiencing greater severity with their substances use disorders. There is limited research on the evaluation or description of culturally tailored interventions and limited culturally tailored centers serving racialized populations struggling with AUD, especially for the Punjabi population. Therefore, it is crucial for primary care providers to understand the importance of culturally tailored approaches to this patient population, as they are often the first point of contact. Objective: To understand and describe what aspects of care provided at Roshni Clinic was beneficial to patients by conducting a qualitative analysis of interviews. Study Design: Qualitative study. Interviews translated from Punjabi to English. Responses transcribed and coded, occurrences of themes were tabulated. Setting: Study completed at Roshni Clinic, a culturally tailored center located in Surrey, Canada that addresses problems associated with alcohol and other substances for adults >18 years old in a holistic, culturally tailored approach. Population Studied: Eight participants recruited and consented. Inclusion criteria: cis-male of Punjabi ancestry, communicate in English/Punjabi, diagnosed with AUD, hospitalized for alcohol related harms, and presented for care at Roshni. No exclusion criteria. Results: Nearly half the responses identified culturally tailored approaches as most helpful. Over one third of the responses indicated structural factors intrinsically tied to Roshni such as counseling, and accountability, as helpful. Approximately 10% was attributable to medications and patient education. Conclusions: Culturally tailored approaches and providers fluent in the Punjabi language proved to be the most beneficial factors to patients at Roshni Clinic. There are limited culturally tailored, primary care addictions centers such as Roshni Clinic serving Punjabi males with AUD in BC's Lower Mainland. Thus, this study stresses the importance of investment in research and development of patient informed culturally tailored care centers.

Understanding culturally tailored approaches in males of punjabi ancestry with alcohol use disorder at roshni clinic.

Learning objectives: 1. Identify and describe factors that are important to the care of patients of Punjabi ancestry suffering from AUD. 2. Explain the importance of culturally tailored approaches to primary care in the context of AUD. Context: Structural and institutional racism in the healthcare system, language barriers, and stigma have resulted in people of color (POC) facing increased barriers to healthcare access, even though POC are often experiencing greater severity with their substances use disorders. There is limited research on the evaluation or description of culturally tailored interventions and limited culturally tailored centers serving racialized populations struggling with AUD, especially for the Punjabi population. Therefore, it is crucial for primary care providers to understand the importance of culturally tailored approaches to this patient population, as they are often the first point of contact. Objective: To understand and describe what aspects of care provided at Roshni Clinic was beneficial to patients by conducting a qualitative analysis of interviews. Study design: Qualitative study. Interviews translated from Punjabi to English. Responses transcribed and coded, occurrences of themes were tabulated. Setting: Study completed at Roshni Clinic, a culturally tailored center located in Surrey, Canada that addresses problems associated with alcohol and other substances for adults >18 years old in a holistic, culturally tailored approach. Population studied: Eight participants recruited and consented. Inclusion criteria: cis-male of Punjabi ancestry, communicate in English/Punjabi, diagnosed with AUD, hospitalized for alcohol related harms, and presented for care at Roshni. No exclusion criteria. Results: Nearly half the responses identified culturally tailored approaches as most helpful. Over one third of the responses indicated structural factors intrinsically tied to Roshni such as counseling, and accountability, as helpful. Approximately 10% was attributable to medications and patient education. Conclusions: Culturally tailored approaches and providers fluent in the Punjabi language proved to be the most beneficial factors to patients at Roshni Clinic. There are limited culturally tailored, primary care addictions centers such as Roshni Clinic serving Punjabi males with AUD in BC's Lower Mainland. Thus, this study stresses the importance of investment in research and development of patient informed culturally tailored care centers. Learning objectives: 1. Identify and describe factors that are important to the care of patients of Punjabi ancestry suffering from AUD. 2. Explain the importance of culturally tailored approaches to primary care in the context of AUD. Context: Structural and institutional racism in the healthcare system, language barriers, and stigma have resulted in people of color (POC) facing increased barriers to healthcare access, even though POC are often experiencing greater severity with their substances use disorders. There is limited research on the evaluation or description of culturally tailored interventions and limited culturally tailored centers serving racialized populations struggling with AUD, especially for the Punjabi population. Therefore, it is crucial for primary care providers to understand the importance of culturally tailored approaches to this patient population, as they are often the first point of contact. Objective: To understand and describe what aspects of care provided at Roshni Clinic was beneficial to patients by conducting a qualitative analysis of interviews. Study design: Qualitative study. Interviews translated from Punjabi to English. Responses transcribed and coded, occurrences of themes were tabulated. Setting: Study completed at Roshni Clinic, a culturally tailored center located in Surrey, Canada that addresses problems associated with alcohol and other substances for adults >18 years old in a holistic, culturally tailored approach. Population studied: Eight participants recruited and consented. Inclusion criteria: cis-male of Punjabi ancestry, communicate in English/Punjabi, diagnosed with AUD, hospitalized for alcohol related harms, and presented for care at Roshni. No exclusion criteria. Results: Nearly half the responses identified culturally tailored approaches as most helpful. Over one third of the responses indicated structural factors intrinsically tied to Roshni such as counseling, and accountability, as helpful. Approximately 10% was attributable to medications and patient education. Conclusions: Culturally tailored approaches and providers fluent in the Punjabi language proved to be the most beneficial factors to patients at Roshni Clinic. There are limited culturally tailored, primary care addictions centers such as Roshni Clinic serving Punjabi males with AUD in BC's Lower Mainland. Thus, this study stresses the importance of investment in research and development of patient informed culturally tailored care centers.

Mobile Apps for Medication Management: Review and Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacotherapy remains one of the major interventional strategies in medicine. However, patients from all age groups and conditions face challenges when taking medications, such as integrating them into the daily routine, understanding their effects and side effects, and monitoring outcomes. In this context, a reliable medication management tool adaptable to the patient's needs becomes critical. As most people have a mobile phone, mobile apps offer a platform for such a personalized support tool available on the go. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide an overview of available mobile apps, focusing on those that help patients understand and take their medications. We reviewed the existing apps and provided suggestions for future development based on the concept understand and manage, instead of the conventional adhere to medication. This concept aims to engage and empower patients to be in charge of their health, as well as see medication as part of a broader clinical approach, working simultaneously with other types of interventions or lifestyle changes, to achieve optimal outcomes. METHODS: We performed a Web search in the iOS Apple App Store and Android Google Play Store, using 4 search terms: medication management, pill reminder, medication health monitor, and medication helper. We extracted information from the app store descriptions for each eligible app and categorized into the following characteristics: features, author affiliation, specialty, user interface, cost, and user rating. In addition, we conducted Google searches to obtain more information about the author affiliation. RESULTS: A total of 328 apps (175 Android and 153 iOS) were categorized. The majority of the apps were developed by the software industry (73%, 11/15), a minority of them were codeveloped by health care professionals (15%, 3/20) or academia (2.1%; 7/328). The most prevalent specialty was diabetes (23 apps). Only 7 apps focused on mental health, but their content was highly comprehensive in terms of features and had the highest prevalence of the education component. The most prevalent features were reminder, symptom tracker, and ability to share data with a family member or doctor. In addition, we highlighted the features considered innovative and listed practical suggestions for future development and innovations. CONCLUSIONS: We identified detailed characteristics of the existing apps, with the aim of informing future app development. Ultimately, the goal was to provide users with effective mobile health solutions, which can be expected to improve their engagement in the treatment process and long-term well-being. This study also highlighted the need for improved standards for reporting on app stores. Furthermore, it underlined the need for a platform to offer health app users an ongoing evaluation of apps by health professionals in addition to other users and to provide them with tools to easily select an appropriate and trustworthy app.

Dibutyl phthalate modulates phenotype of granulocytes in human blood in response to inflammatory stimuli.

BACKGROUND: Phthalates are plasticizers used in many common commercial products. They are ubiquitous environmental contaminants and epidemiological studies suggest that phthalate exposure is associated with development or worsening of airway diseases. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a type of phthalate, found in high concentrations in indoor air, which appears to have a high inflammatory potential. In vitro studies on innate immune cells like macrophages have shown a reduction in phagocytic and antigen-presenting capacity and decreased production of stimuli-induced cytokines after DBP exposure. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess how DBP may alter the in vitro cellular and humoral innate immune response to inflammatory stimuli in blood innate immune cells. METHODS: Human whole blood was stimulated with inflammatory stimuli (lipopolysaccharide (LPS), resiquimod (R848) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)) in the presence or absence of DBP. The expression of surface markers CD16, CD24, CD69 and CD14 on granulocytes and monocytes was quantified by flow cytometry analysis. The release of TNFα, IFNγ, IL8 and IL10 cytokines was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The presence of DBP reduced the inflammatory stimuli-induced expression of CD24 on neutrophils and eosinophils and CD69 on activated eosinophils, whereas expression of CD16 on neutrophils was increased. DBP also had a dampening effect on the release of pro-inflammatory mediators TNFα and IFNγ in response to the inflammatory stimuli. CONCLUSIONS: These responses may reflect an immunosuppressive effect of DBP through impairment of immune cell function.