Barriers to engagement with testing for sexually transmitted infections within a UK-based young adult Black Caribbean community: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The Black Caribbean population have a disproportionately high burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) compared with other ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to explore barriers to engagement with STI testing within a UK-based young adult Black Caribbean community. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 14 young adults from the Black Caribbean community and six sexual healthcare professionals. Data were analysed thematically. A focus group of five young adults was conducted to refine themes. RESULTS: Data analysis generated three themes: (1) culturally embedded stigma; (2) historically embedded mistrust; and (3) lack of knowledge. Perceived as 'dirty', particularly for females, infection with STIs was stigmatised by religious conceptions of 'purity' and shame. This presented challenges in terms of cultural acceptability of talking about STI testing with partners, friends, and family. Legacies of colonialism, medical racism and malpractice compromised young people's trust in medical intervention and confidentiality of data management. A lack of knowledge related to STIs and their treatment, and in how to access and perform STI tests further served as a barrier. Culturally tailored interventions targeting these factors and delivered by radio, podcasts and social media were highlighted as having potential to improve engagement with STI testing. DISCUSSION: Engagement with STI testing by young adults from the Black Caribbean community is impacted by historically and culturally embedded teachings, practices and beliefs inherited through generations. Targeting these factors within culturally tailored interventions may be effective for increasing STI-testing, and thus reducing rates of STI-infection in this population.

Interventions supporting engagement with sexual healthcare among people of Black ethnicity: a systematic review of behaviour change techniques.

BACKGROUND: Black ethnic groups are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This review aimed to identify interventions designed to increase engagement with sexual healthcare among people of Black ethnicity as determined by rates of STI testing, adherence to sexual health treatment, and attendance at sexual healthcare consultations. The behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used within identified interventions were evaluated. METHOD: Four electronic databases (Web of science; ProQuest; Scopus; PubMed) were systematically searched to identify eligible articles published between 2000 and 2022. Studies were critically appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings were narratively synthesised. RESULTS: Twenty one studies across two countries were included. Studies included randomised controlled trials and non-randomised designs. Behavioural interventions had the potential to increase STI/HIV testing, sexual healthcare consultation attendance and adherence to sexual health treatment. Behavioural theory underpinned 16 interventions which addressed barriers to engaging with sexual healthcare. Intervention facilitators' demographics and lived experience were frequently matched to those of recipients. The most frequently identified novel BCTs in effective interventions included information about health consequences, instruction on how to perform behaviour, information about social and environmental consequences, framing/reframing, problem solving, and review behavioural goal(s). DISCUSSION: Our findings highlight the importance of considering sociocultural, structural and socio-economic barriers to increasing engagement with sexual healthcare. Matching the intervention facilitators' demographics and lived experience to intervention recipients may further increase engagement. Examination of different BCT combinations would benefit future sexual health interventions in Black ethnic groups.

Care-giving experiences of parents of young people with PMLD and complex healthcare needs in the transition to adulthood years: a qualitative poetic synthesis.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesise qualitative research exploring the care-giving experiences of parents of young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and complex healthcare needs, in the transition to adulthood years. METHOD: Four databases were systematically searched: Scopus, WoS Core Collection, Medline and SciELO. Included papers were assessed for quality and thematically synthesised. Findings are presented in the form of free-verse poems. RESULTS: Nineteen papers from eight countries were included. Analysis generated three themes: interdependency of parent and child, where parents retained responsibility for their child's care; apprehension regarding sharing and shifting responsibility between parents and professionals; an uncertain future in terms of care provision. CONCLUSIONS: Parents are concerned about the future care of their children. Training professionals in alternative and effective communication is fundamental to successful transition. Encouraging discussions about advanced care planning may also alleviate parental concerns and ensure good outcomes for young people with PMLD.

Factors influencing non-attendance at sexual healthcare appointments in the UK: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Missed sexual healthcare appointments lead to inefficiencies and wasted resources, longer waiting times and poorer outcomes. The aim of this research was to identify factors influencing non-attendance at sexual healthcare appointments and to make recommendations for interventions. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with UK-based sexual health service-users with experience of booking and missing appointments and sexual health professionals (n =28). Interviews were analysed using a thematic framework approach. RESULTS: Perceptual, practical, and organisational factors were found to influence missed appointments. Perceptual factors included beliefs about the outcomes of attending; sense of responsibility to attend; and concerns about privacy and security. Practical factors included competing demands and disruption to daily life; ability to attend; and forgetting. Organisational factors included mode of appointment delivery and availability of appointments. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions should combine strategies shown to be effective for overcoming practical barriers to attendance (e.g. reminder systems) with novel strategies communicating the benefits of attending and risks of missed appointments (e.g. behaviourally informed messaging). Text reminders containing behaviourally informed messages may be an efficient intervention for targeting perceptual and practical factors associated with missed appointments. Offering appointment modalities to suit individual preference and enabling service-users to remotely cancel/reschedule appointments maight further support a reduction in missed appointments.

The impact of continuing bonds following bereavement: A systematic review.

Following bereavement, continuing bonds (CBs) include engaging with memories, illusions, sensory and quasi-sensory perceptions, hallucinations, communication, actions, and belief that evoke an inner relationship with the deceased. To date, the literature has been unable to confirm whether retaining, rather than relinquishing, bonds is helpful. A mixed studies systematic literature search explored how CBs affect grief. Studies on the effect or experience of CBs on adjustment following bereavement were eligible for inclusion. Six computerized databases were searched. A total of 79 of 319 screened studies were included. Three themes were derived from the thematic analysis: (1) comfort and distress, (2) ongoing bonds and relational identity, and (3) uncertainty, conceptualizing, and spirituality. Themes describe the role of CBs for the accommodation of the death story, transformation of the relationship, meaning reconstruction, identity processes, and affirmation of spiritual belief. Results shed light on the adaptive potentials for CBs.

Influence of parental anxiety and beliefs about medicines on feeding and exercise in children living with asthma.

This study's primary objective was to establish differences in beliefs about medicines, levels of asthma-related anxiety and diet and exercise behaviours between parents of children with well controlled and poorly controlled asthma. Secondary objectives were to explore how asthma control might shape relationships between parental cognitions and parenting practices concerning paediatric asthma. Parents of children with asthma aged 10-16 years (N = 310) completed standardised questionnaires measuring beliefs about medicines, parental asthma-related anxiety, parenting attitudes towards child activity, parental feeding and asthma control. Parents of children with poorly controlled asthma reported significantly greater asthma medication necessity and concern, asthma-related anxiety, control of child activity, pressure to exercise and unhealthy feeding practices. Moderation analyses indicated that the relationship between parental concern about asthma medicine and parental control of child activity was strongest in children with poorly controlled asthma. Also, the relationship between parental asthma-related anxiety and use of food to regulate child emotion was only significant when asthma was poorly controlled. Parental beliefs about asthma medicines and asthma-related anxiety may indirectly influence asthma outcomes through unhealthy parenting practices around exercise and diet. Eliciting and understanding parents' perceptions of asthma medications and anxiety may facilitate personalised interventions to improve asthma control.

Increasing attendance at pre-booked sexual health consultations: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Attending a sexual health consultation is integral to the effective prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, individuals who may be at risk of STIs do not always do so, leading to an increased risk of STI complications and transmission of infection to others. This systematic review aimed to identify interventions implemented to increase attendance at a pre-booked sexual health clinic appointment and to identify behavioural theory and behaviour change techniques (BCTs), which form the basis for such interventions. METHODS: Articles were identified through a systematic search of four electronic databases (Web of Science; ProQuest; Scopus; PubMed) and included if they aimed to increase attendance at a pre-booked, synchronous sexual health consultation. The quality of included studies was assessed independently by two researchers. Findings were synthesised narratively. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included from three countries; eight non-randomised before-after study designs and five randomised controlled trials. Behavioural interventions increased attendance at pre-booked sexual health consultations. Text messages were the most frequently used mode for intervention delivery. A total of 19 BCTs were identified, but only three studies mentioned behavioural theory. The most frequently used BCTs in effective interventions were: using credible sources, employing prompts/cues and the provision of information about health consequences. However, these BCTs were also identified in interventions that were not effective, meaning that optimal content and theoretical underpinning of effective interventions remains unclear. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioural interventions can increase attendance at sexual health consultations. Further research is needed to examine the effectiveness of different BCT combinations.

Decision-making experiences of health professionals in withdrawing treatment for children and young people: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore factors that influence professionals in deciding whether to withdraw treatment from a child and how decision making is managed amongst professionals as an individual and as a team. STUDY DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of health professionals working at a UK Children's Hospital, with children with life-limiting illnesses whose treatment has been withdrawn. Data were transcribed verbatim, anonymized and analysed using a thematic framework method. RESULTS: A total of 15 participants were interviewed. Five interrelated themes with associated subthemes were generated to help understand the experiences of health professionals in decision making on withdrawing a child's treatment: (1) understanding the child's best interests, (2) multidisciplinary approach, (3) external factors, (4) psychological well-being and (5) recommendations to support shared decision making. CONCLUSION: A shared decision-making approach should be adopted to support professionals, children and their families to make decisions collectively.

Understanding the impact of 'wish-granting' interventions on the health and well-being of children with life-threatening health conditions and their families: A systematic review.

This review aimed to explore how wish-granting interventions impact on the health and well-being of children with life-threatening health conditions and their families, using any study design. Six electronic databases (Medline; PsycINFO; CINAHL; Embase; AMED and HMIC) were systematically searched to identify eligible research articles. Studies were critically appraised using a Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings were synthesized narratively. 10 papers were included, reporting studies conducted across five countries, published from 2007 to 2019. Study designs were diverse (four quantitative; two qualitative and four mixed method). Results indicated improvements to physical and mental health, quality of life, social well-being, resilience and coping for wish children, parents and siblings. In conclusion, wish-granting interventions can positively impact health and therefore should not be discouraged; however, more research is needed to define and quantify the impact of wish fulfilment and to understand how it can be maximized.

"He's not fat, he just has asthma": a qualitative study exploring weight management in families living with pediatric asthma.

ObjectiveChildren and young people living with asthma have an increased risk of overweight/obesity, leading to increased severity of asthma symptoms. Weight management has been recommended to improve asthma symptoms, however, there is limited understanding of how this is experienced or how children and young people with asthma and their families wish to be supported. The aim of this study was to explore parents and children/young people's views and experiences of managing weight while living with asthma, and to identify acceptable strategies for support.Methods: A qualitative methodological approach was taken to facilitate rich understanding of families' insights into weight management while living with asthma. In-depth interviews were conducted with nine families living with pediatric asthma (n = 9 parents, 9 young people). Data were analyzed using a Framework approach.Results: Findings indicated that family engagement with weight management behaviors was primarily influenced by perceptions of risk regarding asthma outcomes and beliefs about asthma control. Families also reported weight management engagement to be influenced by perceptions of the food environment, perceptions of the exercise environment (e.g. weather, anticipated social outcomes) and the availability of weight management support. Participants sought tailored support which gave consideration to the asthma-obesity interaction. It was suggested that this would help reduce perceptions of weight stigma in consultations, thereby supporting behavioral changes.Conclusions: Individualized weight management plans that consider families concerns about asthma-related risk are needed to manage weight in children and young people living with asthma.

Parental Feeding, Child Eating and Physical Activity: Differences in Children Living with and without Asthma.

This study aimed to establish the differences in parental attitudes toward feeding and activity, as well as child eating and activity levels, between families of children living with and without asthma. Parents of children and young people aged between 10 and 16 years living both with asthma (n = 310) and without asthma (n = 311) completed measures for parental feeding, parental attitudes toward child exercise, child eating, child activity level and asthma control. Children living with asthma had a significantly higher BMIz (BMI standardised for weight and age) score, were significantly more likely to emotionally overeat and desired to drink more than their peers without asthma. Parents of children with asthma reported greater use of food to regulate emotions, restriction of food for weight control, monitoring of child activity, pressure to exercise and control over child activity. When asthma symptoms were controlled, parental restriction of food for weight management predicted greater child BMIz scores, and higher child activity predicted lower child BMIz scores. These relationships were not found to be significant for children with inadequately controlled asthma. Differences in parental attitudes toward feeding and exercise, and child eating and exercise behaviors, between families may help to explain the increased obesity risk for children with asthma.

Health professionals' views and experiences of discussing weight with children and their families: A systematic review of qualitative research.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals are ideally placed to discuss weight management with children and families to treat and prevent childhood obesity. The aim of this review was to collect and synthesize primary research evidence relating to health professional's views and experiences of discussing weight with children and their families. METHODS: Systematic searches were conducted using the following databases: MEDLINE (OVID), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE (OVID), PsycINFO (OVID) and Healthcare Management Information Consortium (HMIC). Twenty-six full text qualitative studies published in English Language journals since inception to October 2019 were included. Papers were quality assessed and synthesized using an inductive thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: Data analysis generated five themes: sensitivity of the issue, family-professional relationships, whole systems approach, professional competency and sociocultural context. CONCLUSION: Supporting behaviour change through discussion of healthy weight with children and families is an important part of the health professional's role. Tailored information for professionals, including resources and training, facilitates them to confidently talk to children and families about weight prioritized within interventions. The success of such interventions requires commitment from a range of professionals to ensure healthy weight is tackled through a whole system approach.

'A confident parent breeds a confident child': Understanding the experience and needs of parents whose children will transition from paediatric to adult care.

Transitional care for young people with long-term conditions emphasizes the importance of supporting parents, particularly in relation to promoting adolescent healthcare autonomy. Yet, little practical guidance is provided, and transitional care remains suboptimal for many families. This study aimed to examine how parents understand and experience their caregiving role during their child's transition to adult services, to identify parents' needs, and to inform service improvements. Focus groups were undertaken with parents of young people with brittle asthma, osteogenesis imperfecta, or epilepsy. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Participants (n = 13) described how their parenting roles extended beyond what they consider usual in adolescence. These roles were presented as time consuming, stressful, and unrelenting but necessary to protect children from harm in the face of multiple risks and uncertainties. Such protective strategies were also perceived to hinder adolescent development, family functioning, and their own development as midlife adults. Finding a balance between protecting immediate health and long-term well-being was a major theme. Participants called for improved support, including improved service organization. Recommendations are provided for working with parents and young people to manage the risks and uncertainties associated with their condition, as part of routine transitional care.

How do stakeholders experience the adoption of electronic prescribing systems in hospitals? A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies.

BACKGROUND: Electronic prescribing (ePrescribing) or computerised provider/physician order entry (CPOE) systems can improve the quality and safety of health services, but the translation of this into reduced harm for patients remains unclear. This review aimed to synthesise primary qualitative research relating to how stakeholders experience the adoption of ePrescribing/CPOE systems in hospitals, to help better understand why and how healthcare organisations have not yet realised the full potential of such systems and to inform future implementations and research. METHODS: We systematically searched 10 bibliographic databases and additional sources for citation searching and grey literature, with no restriction on date or publication language. Qualitative studies exploring the perspectives/experiences of stakeholders with the implementation, management, use and/or optimisation of ePrescribing/CPOE systems in hospitals were included. Quality assessment combined criteria from the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist and the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Data were synthesised thematically. RESULTS: 79 articles were included. Stakeholders' perspectives reflected a mixed set of positive and negative implications of engaging in ePrescribing/CPOE as part of their work. These were underpinned by further-reaching change processes. Impacts reported were largely practice related rather than at the organisational level. Factors affecting the implementation process and actions undertaken prior to implementation were perceived as important in understanding ePrescribing/CPOE adoption and impact. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing organisations and teams should consider the breadth and depth of changes that ePrescribing/CPOE adoption can trigger rather than focus on discrete benefits/problems and favour implementation strategies that: consider the preimplementation context, are responsive to (and transparent about) organisational and stakeholder needs and agendas and which can be sustained effectively over time as implementations develop and gradually transition to routine use and system optimisation.

Weight-management in children living with asthma: a qualitative study of the experiences of paediatric healthcare professionals.

Objective: Weight loss has been found to improve the symptoms of asthma in children who are overweight. However, many paediatric weight management programmes do not address the challenges associated with living with asthma. The aim of this study was to explore the views and experiences of paediatric healthcare professionals concerning weight management advice and support offered to families of children living with asthma. Methods: In-depth individual interviews with 10 healthcare professionals who work with a paediatric asthma population (n = 4 Respiratory Consultants, 3 Respiratory Nurses, 3 General Paediatricians). Data were analysed using a Framework approach. Results: Healthcare professionals highlighted that families' perceptions of weight, their approach to physical activity and nutrition, the family's social context and perceptions of asthma and asthma treatment all influence weight management in children living with asthma. Initiating weight management conversations and referring to weight management support were perceived as challenging. It was thought that tailoring weight management to the needs of children living with asthma and locating support within the community were important to the success of a family-centred intervention. Conclusions: The results highlight the added complexity of responding to excessive weight in a paediatric population with asthma. Training and referral guidance for healthcare professionals may help overcome weight management support challenges. Addressing family beliefs about the factors influencing paediatric asthma and exploring families' motivations for behaviour change may enhance engagement with weight management.

The role of paediatric nurses in medication safety prior to the implementation of electronic prescribing: a qualitative case study.

Objectives To explore paediatric nurses' experiences and perspectives of their role in the medication process and how this role is enacted in everyday practice. Methods A qualitative case study on a general surgical ward of a paediatric hospital in England, one year prior to the planned implementation of ePrescribing. Three focus groups and six individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, involving 24 nurses. Focus groups and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, anonymized and subjected to thematic analysis. Results Two overarching analytical themes were identified: the centrality of risk management in nurses' role in the medication process and the distributed nature of nurses' medication risk management practices. Nurses' contribution to medication safety was seen as an intrinsic feature of a role that extended beyond just preparing and administering medications as prescribed and placed nurses at the heart of a dynamic set of interactions, practices and situations through which medication risks were managed. These findings also illustrate the collective nature of patient safety. Conclusions Both the recognized and the unrecognized contributions of nurses to the management of medications needs to be considered in the design and implementation of ePrescribing systems.

Parenting a child with chronic illness as they transition into adulthood: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of parents' experiences.

OBJECTIVE: To understand how parents view and experience their role as their child with a long-term physical health condition transitions to adulthood and adult healthcare services. METHODS: Five databases were systematically searched for qualitative articles examining parents' views and experiences of their child's healthcare transition. Papers were quality assessed and thematically synthesised. RESULTS: Thirty-two papers from six countries, spanning a 17-year period were included. Long-term conditions were diverse. Findings indicated that parents view their child's progression toward self-care as an incremental process which they seek to facilitate through up-skilling them in self-management practices. Parental perceptions of their child's readiness, wellness, competence and long-term condition impacted on the child' progression to healthcare autonomy. A lack of transitional healthcare and differences between paediatric and adult services served as barriers to effective transition. Parents were required to adjust their role, responsibilities and behaviour to support their child's growing independence. CONCLUSION: Parents can be key facilitators of their child's healthcare transition, supporting them to become experts in their own condition and care. To do so, they require clarification on their role and support from service providers. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Interventions are needed which address the transitional care needs of parents as well as young people.

Perceptions and experiences of the implementation, management, use and optimisation of electronic prescribing systems in hospital settings: protocol for a systematic review of qualitative studies.

INTRODUCTION: There is increasing evidence that electronic prescribing (ePrescribing) or computerised provider/physician order entry (CPOE) systems can improve the quality and safety of healthcare services. However, it has also become clear that their implementation is not straightforward and may create unintended or undesired consequences once in use. In this context, qualitative approaches have been particularly useful and their interpretative synthesis could make an important and timely contribution to the field. This review will aim to identify, appraise and synthesise qualitative studies on ePrescribing/CPOE in hospital settings, with or without clinical decision support. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Data sources will include the following bibliographic databases: MEDLINE, MEDLINE In Process, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Social Policy and Practice via Ovid, CINAHL via EBSCO, The Cochrane Library (CDSR, DARE and CENTRAL databases), Nursing and Allied Health Sources, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts via ProQuest and SCOPUS. In addition, other sources will be searched for ongoing studies (ClinicalTrials.gov) and grey literature: Healthcare Management Information Consortium, Conference Proceedings Citation Index (Web of Science) and Sociological abstracts. Studies will be independently screened for eligibility by 2 reviewers. Qualitative studies, either standalone or in the context of mixed-methods designs, reporting the perspectives of any actors involved in the implementation, management and use of ePrescribing/CPOE systems in hospital-based care settings will be included. Data extraction will be conducted by 2 reviewers using a piloted form. Quality appraisal will be based on criteria from the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist and Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research. Studies will not be excluded based on quality assessment. A postsynthesis sensitivity analysis will be undertaken. Data analysis will follow the thematic synthesis method. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study does not require ethical approval as primary data will not be collected. The results of the study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42016035552.

Developing a Tool to Support Communication of Parental Concerns When a Child is in Hospital.

The involvement of parents in their child's hospital care has been strongly advocated in paediatric healthcare policy and practice. However, incorporating parental worries about their child's condition into clinical care can be difficult for both parents and healthcare professionals. Through our "Listening To You" quality improvement project we developed and piloted an innovative approach to listening, incorporating and responding to parental concerns regarding their child's condition when in hospital. Here we describe the phases of work undertaken to develop our "Listening To You" communications bundle, including a survey, literature review and consultation with parents and staff, before findings from the project evaluation are presented and discussed.

Putting children forward for epilepsy surgery: A qualitative study of UK parents' and health professionals' decision-making experiences.

BACKGROUND: Against a backdrop of recommendations for increasing access to and uptake of early surgical intervention for children with medically intractable epilepsy, it is important to understand how parents and professionals decide to put children forward for epilepsy surgery and what their decisional support needs are. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore how parents and health professionals make decisions regarding putting children forward for pediatric epilepsy surgery. METHODS: Individual interviews were conducted with nine parents of children who had undergone pediatric epilepsy surgery at a specialist children's hospital and ten healthcare professionals who made up the children's epilepsy surgery service multidisciplinary healthcare team (MDT). Three MDT meetings were also observed. Data were analyzed thematically. FINDINGS: Four themes were generated from analysis of interviews with parents: presentation of surgery as a treatment option, decision-making, looking back, and interventions. Three themes were generated from analysis of interviews/observations with health professionals: triangulating information, team working, and patient and family perspectives. DISCUSSION: Parents wanted more information and support in deciding to put their child forward for epilepsy surgery. They attempted to balance the potential benefits of surgery against any risks of harm. For health professionals, a multidisciplinary approach was seen as crucial to the decision-making process. Advocating for the family was perceived to be the responsibility of nonmedical professionals. CONCLUSION: Decision-making can be supported by incorporating families into discussions regarding epilepsy surgery as a potential treatment option earlier in the process and by providing families with additional information and access to other parents with similar experiences.