Augmented video consultations in care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an unprecedented implementation of remote consultations in UK primary care services. Specifically, older adults in care homes had a high need for infection prevention owing to their existing health conditions. GP practices in the East Midlands incorporated augmented video consultations (AVC) with the potential to support remote healthcare assessments for older adults at care homes. AIM: To explore GPs' and care home staff's experiences of the use of AVC as a mechanism to perform remote examinations of older adults in care homes. DESIGN & SETTING: Qualitative interviews were conducted with GPs and care home staff in the East Midlands, UK, during May-August 2020. METHOD: A convenience sample of GPs (n = 5), nurses (n = 12), and senior healthcare assistants (n = 3) were recruited using a purposive approach. Data were collected through semi-structured telephone interviews and analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS: Findings from participants indicated that AVC enabled real-time patient examinations to aid diagnosis and promoted person-centred care in meeting the needs of older adults. The participants also discussed the challenges of video consultations for patients with cognitive impairment and those receiving end-of-life care. CONCLUSION: AVCs show great potential in terms of GPs providing primary care services for care homes. However, healthcare staff must be involved in the development of the technology, and consideration should be given to the needs of older adults with cognitive impairment and those receiving end-of-life care. It is also vital that training is available to encourage confidence and competency in implementing the technology.

Coronary sinus thrombosis as a complication of myocardial infarction-associated ventricular wall rupture: an unusual cause of collapse.

Coronary sinus thrombosis is a rare phenomenon, most commonly occurring following invasive cardiac procedures. Spontaneous thrombosis is extremely rare and little is known about the natural history or optimal management. We present a case of coronary sinus thrombosis occurring in the context of myocardial infarction with concealed ventricular wall rupture.

Developing healthy weight maintenance through co-creation: a partnership with Black African migrant community in East Midlands.

BACKGROUND: Obesity prevalence in the UK varies according to ethnicity, with children from minority ethnic groups experiencing higher levels, and yet, there is a scarcity of projects that involve minority ethnic groups in the design of interventions to promote healthy weight maintenance. This article presents an account of the involvement of the participants in a co-creation activity to design public health resources for the maintenance of healthy weight. METHODS: The material is drawn from a study that involved Black African parents (n = 30) and Health Visitors (n = 32), residing and working in the East Midlands, UK, respectively. The participants were purposely selected according to an inclusion/exclusion criterion and invited to participate in seven focus groups (FG) conducted for parents (FG-4) and health visitors (FG-3) at a time and place convenient to the participants. Following the focus groups, the Black African parents participated in three co-creation workshops. RESULTS: The co-creation activities involved the participants, the researcher and a nutritionist. The outcome was an African heritage eatwell guide and a framework to promote healthy weight, which was well-received when presented to members of the community and local health and social care practitioners. CONCLUSION: The co-creation process went beyond giving the participant a voice in shaping the promotion of healthy weight within their community, as they also became active participants in the design and creation of the specific public health service. The approach offered the potential for improved levels of community satisfaction for a public health intervention.