Empower Health Professionals Research Articles

The future of nutrition education for health systems capacity building

Abstract In the ever-evolving landscape of global health, nutrition education plays a pivotal role in shaping the well-being of populations. The future of nutrition education encompasses a holistic understanding of health, considering not nutritional adequacy in health and disease, but also cultural, social, and environmental factors. Tomorrow’s health professionals must also be equipped to address the interconnectedness of nutrition with mental health, sustainability, and community dynamics. Nutrition education will increasingly involve collaboration across disciplines. Health professionals, educators, policymakers, and community leaders must work together to create a comprehensive ecosystem that fosters nutrition literacy. This collaboration extends beyond traditional healthcare settings to schools, workplaces, and local communities. Furthermore, digital transformation will also revolutionise nutrition education. Online platforms, mobile apps, and virtual simulations will enhance learning experiences whilst interactive modules, webinars, and gamified content will engage learners and facilitate continuous professional development. Moreover, telehealth and tele-nutrition will bridge geographical gaps, ensuring access to quality education globally. Cultural sensitivity in nutrition education is also needed across geo-demographic boundaries to appreciate diverse dietary practices, food taboos, and traditional knowledge. Nutrition education should also empower health professionals to advocate for policy change across food systems, promote sustainable practices, and address food insecurity and therefore understanding policy frameworks and participating in advocacy efforts will be key. Finally, embracing the future requires a commitment to lifelong learning to remain at the forefront of nutrition science and its cutting edge as the questions may remain the same but the answers vary significantly as we garner new evidence to navigate evolving global challenges.

Unravelling the complexity of research capacity strengthening for health professionals in low- and middle-income countries: A concept analysis.

Research capacity strengthening (RCS) is crucial in enhancing healthcare outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which face challenges due to limited resources, unequal access to care and the need for evidence-based decision-making. We seek to move beyond a surface-level understanding of RCS, unearthing the core attributes, the factors that precede its implementation and the transformative outcomes it generates within the LMIC healthcare landscape. This study employs the Walker and Avant approach to concept analysis to comprehensively explore the dimensions and attributes of RCS as it pertains to allied and public health professionals in LMICs, propose empirical referents and suggest an operational definition. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from inception to 27 July 2023, to identify studies on RCS in LMICs. The Walker and Avant approach to concept analysis was selected because it provides a framework for systematically examining and clarifying the meaning and implications of RCS. This method involves a structured process of defining RCS, identifying its attributes, antecedents, consequences and cases, and ultimately providing a clear understanding of its meaning and implications. Identifying empirical referents offers measurable indicators that researchers and policymakers can use to assess the effectiveness of RCS initiatives in LMICs. RCS for health professionals in LMICs involves a sustainable process that equips them with essential research skills, fostering the ability to conduct high-quality research and improve healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings. RCS aims to empower health professionals to apply evidence-based practices, reduce disparities and enhance the well-being of populations in LMICs. Ultimately, a concept analysis of RCS empowers us to harness the full potential of research to enhance healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes and advance the well-being of populations worldwide.

How to Create a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Curriculum: More Than Checking a Box.

We are beginning to accept and address the role that medicine as an institution played in legitimizing scientific racism and creating structural barriers to health equity. There is a call for greater emphasis in medical education on explaining our role in perpetuating health inequities and educating learners on how bias and racism lead to poor health outcomes for historically marginalized communities. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI; also referred to as EDI) and antiracism are key parts of patient care and medical education as they empower health professionals to be advocates for their patients, leading to better health care outcomes and more culturally and socially humble health care professionals. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education has set forth standards to include structural competency and other equity principles in the medical curriculum, but medical schools are still struggling with how to specifically do so. Here, we highlight a stepwise approach to systematically developing and implementing medical educational curriculum content with a DEI and antiracism lens. This article serves as a blueprint to prepare institution leadership, medical faculty, staff, and learners in how to effectively begin or scale up their current DEI and antiracism curricular efforts.

Pan American climate resilient health systems: a training course for health professionals.

To describe the development, implementation, and results of a training course designed to equip health professionals from the Pan American Health Organization region with the knowledge and tools needed to adapt health systems to current climate realities. The Pan American climate resilient health systems course was a 9-week live-virtual course in March-April 2023, which was delivered through Zoom and offered in English, Spanish, and French. All lectures were delivered by local and regional climate and health experts. The curricular foundation of this initiative was the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education core competencies for health professionals. Participants completed pre- and post-course surveys. A total of 1212 participants attended at least one of the nine sessions and 489 (from 66 countries) attended at least six sessions. Of these, 291 participants completed both the pre- and post-course surveys which were used in the analysis. Longitudinal survey results suggested an improvement in participants' climate and health communication, an increased frequency of incorporating climate knowledge in professional practice, and improved confidence in engaging in climate initiatives. At the same time, many participants expressed a need for additional training. The results indicate that live-virtual courses have the potential to empower health professionals to contribute to climate resilience efforts by: increasing their communication skills; changing their professional practice; increasing their ability to lead climate and health activities; and preparing them to assess vulnerability and adaptation in health systems, measure and monitor environmental sustainability, and apply a health equity lens.

Empowering community health professionals for effective air pollution information communication

BackgroundAir pollution remains a significant public health risk, particularly in urban areas. Effective communication strategies remain integral to overall protection by encouraging the adoption of personal air pollution exposure reduction behaviours. This study aims to explore how community health professionals can be empowered to communicate air pollution information and advice to the wider community, to encourage the uptake of desired behaviours in the population.MethodsThe study adopted a qualitative methodology, where four homogenous Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were held with a range of community health professionals, including Health Care Professionals, Community Health and Wellbeing Workers (CHWWs) and Social Prescribing Link Workers (SPLW). A classical content analysis was conducted with the Structural Empowerment Theory (SET) and Psychological Empowerment Theory (PET) as guiding concepts.ResultsFive key themes were identified: from a structural empowerment perspective: [1] resources and support, [2] knowledge. From a psychological empowerment perspective: [3] confidence as advisor, [4] responsibility as advisor, and [5] residents’ receptiveness to advice. It was concluded that advice should be risk stratified, clear, easy to follow and provide alternatives.ConclusionThis study identified ways for community health professionals to be empowered by local councils or other organisations in providing advice on air pollution, through the provision of essential structural support and opportunities to enhance their knowledge and confidence in the subject. Implementing recommendations from this study would not only empower community health professionals to advise on air pollution to the wider community but also increase adherence to health advice.

312.1: Empowering health professionals for effective organ donation through continuous training.

312.1: Empowering health professionals for effective organ donation through continuous training.

Overactive bladder: not just a normal part of getting older.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common yet under-reported condition affecting both men and women. Prevalence rises with age, but OAB can affect people of any age. It is associated with increased physical and mental health problems and may lead to social isolation and escalating care needs. It is a clinical diagnosis with symptoms of urgency, with or without urge incontinence and usually with urinary frequency and nocturia. Management includes conservative, medical and surgical treatments, which can significantly improve quality of life. This review aims to raise awareness of this under-reported condition and to empower health professionals to open discussions on bladder health with all those in their care.

Prediction Model for Coronavirus Pandemic Using Deep Learning

The recent global outbreak of COVID-19 damaged the world health systems, human health, economy, and daily life badly. None of the countries was ready to face this emerging health challenge. Health professionals were not able to predict its rise and next move, as well as the future curve and impact on lives in case of a similar pandemic situation happened. This created huge chaos globally, for longer and the world is still struggling to come up with any suitable solution. Here the better use of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and deep learning, may aid healthcare practitioners in making reliable COVID-19 diagnoses. The proposed research would provide a prediction model that would use Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning to improve the diagnostic process by reducing unreliable diagnostic interpretation of chest CT scans and allowing clinicians to accurately discriminate between patients who are sick with COVID-19 or pneumonia, and also empowering health professionals to distinguish chest CT scans of healthy people. The efforts done by the Saudi government for the management and control of COVID-19 are remarkable, however; there is a need to improve the diagnostics process for better perception. We used a data set from Saudi regions to build a prediction model that can help distinguish between COVID-19 cases and regular cases from CT scans. The proposed methodology was compared to current models and found to be more accurate (93 percent) than the existing methods.

Learning to live with endometriosis: Findings from a phenomenological study among women in Mauritius, a state in the Indian Ocean

IntroductionEndometriosis which affects a woman’s life in many aspects remains an indecipherable condition which has been unexplored among non-Caucasian populations. This study was thus undertaken in Mauritius, which is a country belonging to the World Health Organization African Region. Its objectives were to explore the experience of women having endometriosis and to describe the essence of living with endometriosis. MethodsThis qualitative research with phenomenological approach was undertaken among Mauritian women with endometriosis. Data was collected by means of interviews until saturation point and was processed using Thematic Analysis method to identify patterns. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies was used to ensure comprehensive reporting of the interviews undertaken. Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant institutional research ethics committee. FindingsThe participants were aged between 26 and 44. The following themes were identified: (1) Making sense of the condition, (2) Embracing the uncertainties of life, (3) Experimenting prescribed medications and (4) Learning to live with the disease. ConclusionsThis study delineates the difficult journey, from stranded pain-suffering women with undiagnosed condition to diagnosed patient taking control over the disease. They experienced a long and difficult period in relation with the delayed diagnosis by health professionals of their condition. This study thus highlights the need for training programs to empower health professionals for timely diagnosis, effective management and compassionate support.

Projeto de Intervenção Burn-Down: o impacto do Burnout nos Cuidados de Saúde Primários e o benefício da Prevenção Quinquenária numa Unidade de Saúde Familiar

Introduction Burnout is a complex psychological syndrome, secondary to a chronic and excessive response to work stress. It is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and decreased professional fulfilment. Health professionals are a susceptible group to this phenomenon. Recently, challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have eventually increased the prevalence and/or severity of this issue, particularly in Primary Health Care. Thus, interventions aimed at minimizing its effects are urgent. Objective To reduce Burnout and promote appropriate coping strategies, empowering Health Professionals to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Methodology This intervention is aimed at Health Professionals from a Family Health Unit. Previously, sociodemographic data were collected and applied two self-completed questionnaires: the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II (COPSOQ II) to assess Burnout levels, and the The Ways of Coping Questionnaire to assess coping strategies used and areas of action. The intervention consisted of online theoretical-practical sessions and face-to-face yoga practice sessions. The sessions dealt with the topics "Burn-out and coping mechanisms", "Working and socializing in a team", “Mindfulness” and "Physical exercise" in Burnout prevention. The COPSOQ II was reapplied to assess the effects of the intervention. Statistical analysis included the use of Cronbach's alpha coefficient, calculation of mean± standard deviation for each item assessed and the t-Student test for comparison, assuming statistically significant differences if p ≤ 0,050. Results The sample was formed by 22 elements. The pre-intervention COPSOQ II results revealed that the majority was at risk for health in the subdimensions related to "Work Demands", "Work Organization and Content" and "Personality" and in an intermediate risk situation in "Social and Leadership Relationships". The most used coping strategies were "Planned Problem Solving", "Acceptance of Responsibility" and "Self-control". After the intervention, a statistically significant improvement was obtained in the subdimensions "Attention", "Commitment to the Workplace", "General Health" and "Sleeping Problems". Discussion and Conclusion It was obtained a significant improvement on the physical and mental health of Health Professionals, with a reduction of Burnout levels. The implementation of quinquenary prevention interventions and the identification of areas where to act can improve their health and coping strategies. Keywords: burnout; health professionals; coping; intervention; health and well-being; occupational health.

Personalized Stress Monitoring using Wearable Sensors in Everyday Settings.

Since stress contributes to a broad range of mental and physical health problems, the objective assessment of stress is essential for behavioral and physiological studies. Although several studies have evaluated stress levels in controlled settings, objective stress assessment in everyday settings is still largely under-explored due to challenges arising from confounding contextual factors and limited adherence for self-reports. In this paper, we explore the objective prediction of stress levels in everyday settings based on heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) captured via low-cost and easy-to-wear photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors that are widely available on newer smart wearable devices. We present a layered system architecture for personalized stress monitoring that supports a tunable collection of data samples for labeling, and present a method for selecting informative samples from the stream of real-time data for labeling. We captured the stress levels of fourteen volunteers through self-reported questionnaires over periods of between 1-3 months, and explored binary stress detection based on HR and HRV using Machine Learning methods. We observe promising preliminary results given that the dataset is collected in the challenging environments of everyday settings. The binary stress detector is fairly accurate and can detect stressful vs non-stressful samples with a macroF1 score of up to %76. Our study lays the groundwork for more sophisticated labeling strategies that generate context-aware, personalized models that will empower health professionals to provide personalized interventions.

Mobile Electronic Devices as Means of Facilitating Patient Activation and Health Professional Empowerment Related to Information Seeking on Chronic Conditions and Medications: Qualitative Study.

BackgroundPatient activation has an impact on the management of patients’ health, clinical outcomes, and treatment costs. Mobile electronic devices (MEDs) have shown the potential to engage patients in wellness behavior. Furthermore, the potentially positive role of MEDs is evident in supporting health professionals in their practice.ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the impact of MEDs on patient activation to search for information on chronic conditions and medications and the impact of MEDs on the empowerment of health professionals or future health professionals.MethodsWe conducted 6 focus groups—2 with health sciences students, 2 with health professionals, and 2 with hospitalized patients with chronic conditions. A protocol comprising eight questions was used to guide discussions. Audio-recorded data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically; a ranking system was used to analyze the relevance of identified themes and subthemes, using a coding system depicted by the + symbol, to indicate different relevance levels.ResultsOur results suggest that MEDs can positively affect patient activation to search for chronic conditions and medication information by facilitating patients’ information-seeking behavior. Key drivers leading to patients’ activation to seek information related to chronic conditions and medications through MEDs were the accessibility and abundance of available and detailed information, reduced search time, information updates, and convenience in finding information at any time and place. The lack of accurate information in one’s native language, access to incorrect information, and limited access to the internet were key obstacles to seeking information related to chronic conditions and medications via MEDs. In addition, findings of this study suggest that MEDs in general and mobile apps, in particular, may have a positive impact on the work routine of health care professionals as they enable them to make quicker decisions by accessing the required information faster, thus improving practice efficiency. Furthermore, the appropriate usage of MEDs by patients for seeking information about their chronic conditions and medications may positively impact the physician-patient relationship. All focus groups recognized the questionable reliability of health information on the internet and its potential negative effects on patients. Therefore, our findings suggest the need for an additional role of health professionals in assisting patients in using MEDs to search for health and medication information, such as providing reliable websites and mobile apps where patients can safely search for health-related information on the web.ConclusionsThe use of MEDs may help activate patients to seek chronic conditions and medication-related information, potentially leading to better management of their chronic conditions and medications. Our findings also highlight the positive impact MEDs may have on empowering health professionals in their practice and the need for health professionals to help patients through specific education that addresses MEDs utilization for chronic conditions and medication information seeking.

Basic life support education: the impact of lecture-demonstration in undergraduate students of health sciences

Background: Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) is a severe public health problem and a leading cause of death worldwide. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), basic life support (BLS) is the bedrock for improving people's survival after a cardiac arrest, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation is crucial. Through scientific evidence, empowering health professionals focuses on education in resuscitation is vital to identify and attend a CPA victim. In Brazil, there is a lack of data that evaluates the BLS knowledge of health science students. This study analyzed the knowledge retention of medicine, nursing, and physiotherapy students after one year of having a lecture-demonstration on BLS. Method: Longitudinal study. Undergraduate students of health science participated in the data collection and answered a questionnaire based on BLS following AHA guidelines. Data were collected during two consecutive years, in three different moments (an assessment, a test after a lecture, and an assessment test one year later). Results: The group improved its score after the class on BLS; the number of correct answers doubled (p <0.001); however, one year later, that score decreased significantly (p <0.001). Conclusion: No retention of knowledge in health sciences students after a year of a lecture-demonstration on BLS.

'It's better to treat a COVID patient than a HIV patient': using feminist participatory research to assess women's challenges to access HIV care in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background:Women living with HIV in Indonesia encounter challenging obstacles to healthcare, which is exacerbated by COVID-19. Access is difficult as there are limited numbers of poorly supported healthcare providers. Women also face significant stigma when disclosing their HIV-status.Objectives:Our main purpose is to give a voice to disempowered women living with HIV, by normalising the discussion of HIV, to empower health professionals to better understand the issues faced by women living with HIV, and develop improved treatment practices.Design:Our project was guided by a Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) framework. FPAR refers to ‘a participatory and action-oriented approach to research that centres gender and women’s experiences both theoretically and practically’. It creates meaningful participation for women throughout the research process, ensuring a collective critical consciousness that challenges oppressive attitudes, beliefs, and practices that may be deeply embedded in society.Method:Purposive sampling and a thematic analysis was applied to focus group discussions with 20 women living with HIV and 20 women without HIV in Palembang, South Sumatra.Results:When women living with HIV face a difficult decision, do they disclose their status knowing that they may face stigma and even a refusal to be treated; or do they conceal their status and face not receiving the right care? In this article, we explore the stories of women living with HIV as they seek medical treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. We show that there is no optimal solution for women as they lose whether they disclose their HIV status or not.Conclusion:Women’s stories around HIV and COVID-19 intersect with conditions such as poverty and discrimination, as well as embedded gender systems, creating overlapping barriers to treatment. Government must challenge this culture by introducing a comprehensive sex and HIV education programme. This would normalise discussions of HIV-related topics, leading to improved health outcomes.

Combating Malnutrition Among Pregnant Women, Mothers and Babies in the Rural Amazonian Forest: What can Telehealth Do?

Purpose: Malnutrition is a current public health problem and a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality among the indigenous population in the Amazon forest. This may be related to the nutritional transition observed among indigenous women in Brazil. This research aims to empower health professionals to promote food and nutritional education for mothers and babies living in the forest of the Brazilian state of Amazonas and its Colombian border. We describe our experience using telehealth to combat malnutrition among pregnant women, mothers and babies in the rural Amazonian forest. Methods: This is a qualitative study that included three interventions: field visits, a scoping review, and online meetings. Data collect from field visits and the scoping review were used to identify demands and incorporate themes discussed in the virtual meetings held at telehealth units. Sessions used the web conferencing platform of the state of Amazonas and were facilitated by Brazilian specialists. Locations were selected according to existence of telehealth site. Results and Conclusions: Seven telehealth sessions were held between April and December in 2018 and three in 2019, including 14 different locations equipped with telehealth points, and lasted 120 minutes each. The main findings were that telehealth services can be an instrument to establish a knowledge exchange between health professionals and indigenous people. The participation of indigenous people in social media could be an instrument to maintain their culture and to promote their healthcare, especially traditional and healthy dietary patterns.

The Beirut blast 2020: Lessons learned from the Swiss Emergency Medical Team specialized "Mother & Child".

On August 4, 2020, Beirut was hit by a devastating explosion leading to mass casualties: thousands were injured and there were significant damages to residences, offices, and health structures. The Emergency Medical Team (EMT) specialized "Mother and Child" was deployed by the Swiss Humanitarian Aid in order to support local health facilities, empower local health professionals to resume clinical activities and ensure access, and continuity of patient care in particular in the fields of gynecology-obstetrics and pediatrics. This communication presents the particularities of an EMT deployment in an urban area of an upper middle-income country with some recommendations for such settings.

Realizing the Right to Health of Persons With Disabilities in Africa: “Empowering Health Professionals for Quality Care of Persons With Disability. A Case of Rwandan Public and Private Health Caregivers”

Realizing the Right to Health of Persons With Disabilities in Africa: “Empowering Health Professionals for Quality Care of Persons With Disability. A Case of Rwandan Public and Private Health Caregivers”

Assessing the impacts of an interdisciplinary programme supporting father involvement on professionals' practices with fathers: A qualitative study.

The study aimed to assess the impacts of the Father-Friendly Initiative within Families (FFIF) programme, an interdisciplinary programme supporting father involvement, on health professionals' practices with fathers. It is increasingly recognised that father involvement benefits children's cognitive and social development and contributes to both parents' well-being. Recent research has shown health professionals' support to be a protective factor in father involvement.Research results were translated into practice through the implementation of a programme, the FFIF, aimed at empowering health professionals to support father involvement. The study employed a qualitative impact assessment approach based on semi-structured interviews with 36 health professionals to assess the impacts of the FFIF on professionals' practices with fathers. A total of 36 health professionals were interviewed (13 nurses, 10 social workers, six community workers, three educators, two psychoeducators, one health manager, and one special education teacher). Interviews were transcribed, and a qualitative thematic analysis was carried out. This study is presented in line with COREQ's checklist. Impacts of the FFIF on health professionals were seen in changes on three fronts: (a1) their beliefs; (b) their conception of their role; and (c) their interventions. These changes related to three themes: (a) difficulties experienced by fathers; (b) importance of father involvement; and (c) differences between fathers and mothers. The professionals, having realised the importance of their own role in improving the services offered to fathers, made concrete changes in their interventions, such as reaching out to fathers more effectively, encouraging their participation and treating them fairly and equitably. After attending this interdisciplinary programme supporting father involvement, participating professionals adopted father-friendly beliefs, redefined their conception of their role and modified their interventions. To provide family-centred care, nurses and other health professionals need to adopt father-inclusive practices.

Health Professions Educators' System-Oriented Roles as Educational Advocate, Quality Improver, and Broker.

Health professionals have many facets to their educational role. Although the teaching and student support dimensions of health professionals' educational role are highly visible in the literature, other nontraditional elements are not. This study presents a broader conceptualization of health professionals' educational role, with a focus on the strategic dimensions of their role. Participants were health professionals from different clinical backgrounds and teaching settings, with a formal role in education. Data were collected using a survey (n = 41) and interviews (n = 9), and this article focuses on reporting the qualitative findings of this study. Thematic analysis was used for data interpretation. Health professionals have three strategic dimensions to their educational role. The first strategic dimension is educational advocacy, which is aimed at championing education at different levels and parts of the educational system and building educational capacity. The second strategic dimension is educational quality improvement which is focused on shifting narratives around education and educational change in health service settings and leveraging educational evidence. The final strategic dimension is educational brokerage which is oriented at connecting clinical and educational communities and building trust and consensus. Beyond the microlevel of learning and teaching, health professionals engage in strategic work that is focused on the broader educational mission within health. Continuing professional development initiatives can empower health professionals to optimize these strategic and system-focused educational roles and responsibilities.

Asthma and anaphylaxis.

Both asthma and anaphylaxis are recognized noncommunicable hypersensitivity conditions, which should be correctly diagnosed and treated/controlled in order to decrease avoidable deaths. Nevertheless, their association is not completely clear. We here propose to review the current and new evidence-based data of asthma and anaphylaxis in the view of the new knowledge in the field that can support the quality practice and empower allergists and health professionals in treating symptoms and preventing death. Hypersensitivity life-threatening conditions, such as anaphylaxis and asthma can coexist, mimic or worse each other. Asthma itself is not a strong predictor of more severe anaphylaxis. However, poor asthma control associated with more severe anaphylaxis reactions in all ages. In children, asthma is associated with the severity and recurrences of anaphylactic reactions. Although recent data point for the association between asthma and anaphylaxis, we still do not have harmonized evidence to confirm if we are dealing with two independent comorbidities one worsening each other. However, as far as this review is covering two relevant public health problems in the field of allergy, it is mandatory put in place decisions supporting recommendations to better manage the affected patients and reduce the risk.General strategies should include regular notification of this association, optimization of the classification and coding for anaphylaxis and asthma (new ICD 11 allergy codes) in order to harmonize epidemiological stratified data, early diagnosis of asthma in childhood, regular investigation of asthma in cases of anaphylaxis and optimization of the asthma control and lung function for all patients with indication to provocation tests, desensitization or allergen immunotherapy regardless to the trigger. Implementation of these strategies will involve national and international support for ongoing efforts in relationship with networks of centres of excellence to provide personalized management for the most at-risk patients and prevent death.