Evidence-based Knowledge Research Articles

NutriBase - management system for the integration and interoperability of food- and nutrition-related data and knowledge.

Contemporary data and knowledge management and exploration are challenging due to regular releases, updates, and different types and formats. In the food and nutrition domain, solutions for integrating such data and knowledge with respect to the FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability) principles are still lacking. To address this issue, we have developed a data and knowledge management system called NutriBase, which supports the compilation of a food composition database and its integration with evidence-based knowledge. This research is a novel contribution because it allows for the interconnection and complementation of food composition data with knowledge and takes what has been done in the past a step further by enabling the integration of knowledge. NutriBase focuses on two important challenges; data (semantic) harmonization by using the existing ontologies, and reducing missing data by semi-automatic data imputation made from conflating with existing databases. The developed web-based tool is highly modifiable and can be further customized to meet national or international requirements. It can help create and maintain the quality management system needed to assure data quality. Newly generated data and knowledge can continuously be added, as interoperability with other systems is enabled. The tool is intended for use by domain experts, food compilers, and researchers who can add and edit food-relevant data and knowledge. However, the tool is also accessible to food manufacturers, who can regularly update information about their products and thus give consumers access to current data. Moreover, the traceability of the data and knowledge provenance allows the compilation of a trustworthy management system. The system is designed to allow easy integration of data from different sources, which enables data borrowing and reduction of missing data. In this paper, the feasibility of NutriBase is demonstrated on Slovenian food-related data and knowledge, which is further linked with international resources. Outputs such as matched food components and food classifications have been integrated into semantic resources that are currently under development in various international projects.

Conceptual links between environmental psychology and climate change education to encourage climate-friendly behavior of young people. Is there a role for self-regulation?

Bridging the gap between climate change knowledge and climate-friendly behavior remains one of the biggest challenges in the twenty-first century. Traditional approaches to behavior change have tended to focus on expanding evidence-based knowledge, with limited translation into action. New methods to increase action must be explored, and self-regulation in encouraging climate-friendly behavior presents an interesting approach. We applied the Risk, Attitudes, Norms, Ability, and Self-regulation (RANAS) model, a systematic approach to facilitate behavior change, to the context of climate-friendly behavior. Determinants of climate-friendly actions among high school students (n = 386) from Austria and Germany were investigated. From the data collected, Everyday- and Proactive Action (PA) was identified as two types of climate-friendly action. To gain further insights into the role of self-regulation in facilitating these types of action, the subfactors of self-regulation of the RANAS model were used and tested for their construct validity. These subfactors showed a positive correlation with Everyday- and Proactive Action. Using a two-level linear model including control variables, we show that Action Planning (AP), Action Control (AC), and Commitment are significant for Everyday Action (EA). For PA, AP and Commitment show a significant effect. Overall, self-regulation is worthy of further investigation in context of climate-friendly behavior.

Student officer research projects: Evidence-based knowledge embedded into policing practice?

Student officer research projects: Evidence-based knowledge embedded into policing practice?

Evidence-Based Knowledge Transition: An Integrative Nursing Experience With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer patients that may impact both physical and mental well-being significantly. When Western medical care alone is unable to satisfy patient needs, integrative care combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine approaches is an alternative option. This article shares the integrative care experience of a post-operative rectal cancer patient who suffered from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. An intervention that followed a holistic assessment approach in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM; i.e., observation, auscultation, inquiry, and pulse feeling) combined with listening and communication was conducted between April 11th and May 27th, 2022. The patient's health problems were identified as chronic pain syndrome, sleep disturbances, and death anxiety. During the caring process, evidence-based practices were applied, the scientific literature was systematically reviewed using an evidence-based approach, and an integrative care plan was developed in collaboration with the medical team. Exercise, acupuncture, aromatherapy massage, music, and auricular acupressure therapies were administered to reduce the severity of the patient's health problems. It is hoped that this experience combining evidence-based knowledge with integrative care offers a reference for providing alternative patient care in a broad range of clinical settings.

Sexual function after surgically corrected menstrual outflow obstruction due to congenital anomalies

Objectives: To enhance evidence-based knowledge about sexual function and the prevalence of sexual dysfunction after surgical therapy for congenital anomalies with menstrual outflow obstruction. Materials and Methods: In this long-term case-control study, all patients underwent surgical correction of an obstructive Müllerian anomaly between 1980 and 2013. At the start of the case-control study, patients were at least 18 years old and were two years post their initial operation. The control group were women without current gynaecological problems. 38 patients (response rate 48.7%) and 54 controls were included. Chi-square test linear-by-linear Association, Fisher’s Exact Test, Mann-Whitney U test and the unpaired sample t-test were used for statistical analysis. Main outcome measures: The following questionnaires were used: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Body Exposure during Sexual Activities Questionnaire (BESAQ), and the Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire (EHP-30). Results: The mean FSFI score in patients was 27.8 (SD5.4) versus 27.4 (SD6.8) in controls (p=0.858). A total FSFI score ≥26.55, indicating no sexual dysfunction was present in 70.6% of patients and 69.2% of controls (p=1.000). The mean BESAQ score in patients was 30.4 (18.5), compared to 38.3 (SD21.4) in controls (p=0.261), where lower scores denote better body image during intimate sessions. In the EHP-30, a statistically significant difference between patients and controls was found in all items on sexual intercourse. The subscale score of patients was 31.1 (SD26.2) versus 7.0 (SD11.1) in controls (p=<0.001), indicating better sexual functioning in controls. What is new? The study showed that a history of menstrual outflow obstruction had a negative influence on several domains of sexual function, yet the patients total scores on sexual function remained in the normal range. The FSFI score of patients’ post-surgical treatment of obstructive congenital anomalies is similar to the control group.

Editorial: Building evidence-based knowledge to provide for the needs of older people

Editorial: Building evidence-based knowledge to provide for the needs of older people

Progress of rehabilitation in assisted living for mentally ill according to STAX-SA taxonomy.

The transition from institutional psychiatric care to community-based mental health services has resulted in the rapid development of assisted living services (AL) for mentally ill. Focus of the current study is to add internationally comparable evidence-based knowledge on the rehabilitation of AL residents by examining progression and mortality in relation to the level of service provided in AL units. This study utilized data gathered from a longitudinal study conducted in Finland during the years 2020 to 2022. A total of 340 health- and social care records of residents in AL services were examined over a 3-year study period. Progression (changes in AL service level) and mortality of AL residents were explored through the level of service provided in AL units, by applying the Simple Taxonomy for Supported Accommodation (STAX-SA). Progression was grouped into (1) progressed, (2) stable, and (3) regressed. During the 3-year study period progression was examined for 95.3% (n = 324) of the AL residents of which 18.8% progressed into less supported AL, 79.3% remained stable and 1.9% regressed into more supported AL. In the entire population (n = 340) mortality was 4.7%. AL residents progressed into less supported AL services rarely although they had similarities in clinical characteristics. This might indicate that the development of AL services has evolved into a more custodial type rather than rehabilitation. Progress of rehabilitation in AL services should be investigated further by examining AL resident characteristics in relation to the level of service and level of support provided in AL services.

Engaging citizens to monitor pollinators through a nationwide BioBlitz: Lessons learned and challenges remaining after four years

Pollination is a key mutualistic interaction between animals and flowering plants, generating biodiversity and providing valuable ecosystem services. However, a pollination crisis occurs because anthropogenic disturbance affects pollinators and their habitats, risking biodiversity and food security. Also, the lack of evidence-based knowledge may worsen disturbance effects by delaying decision-making and conservation actions. Citizen science plays an important role in data gathering by engaging volunteers in obtaining such information. Here, we present the results of four years of pollinator occurrence data from a series of targeted BioBlitz events conducted each November from 2020 to 2023 in Chile. We obtained a total of 6327 records (identified to the species or genus level), corresponding to 569 species from 44 families, collected along the Chilean territory, a 10-fold increase compared to the pre-BioBlitz period (2016–2019). The most frequent species were the butterfly Vanessa carye, the invasive bees Bombus terrestris and Apis mellifera, and the native bumblebee Bombus dahlbomii. Despite inter-annual abundance fluctuations, species composition was similar over time. The most recorded families were Apidae, Syrphidade, Nymphalidae, and Buprestidae. This nationwide multi-year citizen science survey allowed us to collect an impressive dataset that would have been unattainable by scientists alone. Furthermore, we obtained valuable information for monitoring threatened (e.g., B. dahlbomii) or invasive species (e.g., B. terrestris) over space and time, aiding decision-making and conservation efforts. Engaging people in pollinator monitoring strengthens human-nature connections and fosters conservation attitudes.

Current knowledge among German physiotherapists on the subject of pain

Pain is an omnipresent symptom in the field of musculoskeletal healthcare. Person-centred care in accordance with current scientific recommendations requires comprehensive and evidence-based knowledge about pain. However, there appears to be alack of knowledge in this area both internationally and nationally. This study aimed to evaluate the pain-related knowledge and postural-structural-biomechanical (PSB) beliefs regarding pain among physiotherapists practicing in Germany. An online survey, which included the German version of the revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire (rNPQ-D) and the Essential Knowledge of Pain Questionnaire (EKPQ), was answered by n = 105 physiotherapists using SoSci Survey. Asatisfactory result is achieved when at least 90% of the participants answer at least eight of the 12questions correctly. Additionally, the possible influence of the variables 'academic degree' and 'working experience' of the participants on the questionnaire scores was investigated. The average score of the rNPQ‑D was 70.8 ± 15.4% (95% CI: 67.8-73.8%). The average score of the EKPQ was 51.4 ± 26% (95% CI: 46.4-56.4%). Neither the rNPQ‑D (69.5% of participants; n = 73) nor the EKPQ (30.6% of participants; n = 32) yielded asatisfactory result. The scores of the questionnaires correlated moderately positively and statistically significantly with each other (r = 0.47; p < 0.001). The average score of the EKPQ was significantly lower than the average score of the rNPQ‑D (p < 0.01; d = 0.84). Academically trained therapists achieved higher average scores than those non-academically trained (p < 0.05; rNPQ-D: d = 0.48, EKPQ: d = 0.42). Furthermore, participants with ≤5years of professional experience achieved significantly higher scores than participants with >5years of professional experience (p < 0.05; rNPQ-D: d = 0.75; EKPQ: d = 0.68). The knowledge among physiotherapists in Germany about pain appears to be deficient and strongly PSB-orientated. In addition, academically trained therapists seem to have amore pronounced theoretical and case-related knowledge of pain compared to graduates of vocational physiotherapy training programmes. To ensure successful and effective future treatment of individuals experiencing pain, it is imperative to systematically investigate the potential causes of such deficits. Physiotherapeutic pain care in Germany should strive for asystemic change in favour of evidence-based practice.

Do We Actually Help Choking Children? The Quality of Evidence on the Effectiveness and Safety of First Aid Rescue Manoeuvres: A Narrative Review.

The management of foreign body airway obstruction has evolved over time from back blows and chest thrusts to abdominal thrusts. However, current guidelines worldwide are based on outdated data, with unclear evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of these rescue manoeuvres. Concerns persist about the potential of these techniques to cause injury, especially in children; therefore, a critical revision to ensure optimal child safety is necessary. The literature on first aid for paediatric choking was identified through the searching of various databases. Studies were evaluated for their relevance, quality, and currency. The analysis examined guideline consistency with current evidenced-based medicine and identified research gaps. The analysis of the available data was supplemented by adult-based evidence due to the scarcity of paediatric-specific research. First aid guidelines and recommendations for paediatric choking are divergent and generally grounded in low-quality evidence derived primarily from case studies. Studies since 2015 have shown highly diverse methodologies and often lack details on the execution of individual techniques, body positioning or the specific characteristics of study groups, which are crucial when comparing the effectiveness and safety of rescue manoeuvres. Updating evidence-based scientific knowledge for future recommendations is crucial.

The South African Journal of Science: A biography

This article provides a chronological account of the South African Journal of Science (SAJS) from its inception in 1903 up to the present. This approach clarifies the shifts in emphasis and purpose as the Journal moved through changing publishing structures. Over the course of a century, the SAJS evolved from a publication that included both lay and professional contributions into a formal professionalised scholarly journal while retaining its accessibility. Originally appearing as the Report of the South African Association for the Advancement of Science (S2A3), for many decades the content presented the work of people with scientific interests, as reflected at the Annual Meetings of the S2A3 convened at various locations around southern Africa. Its objective was to serve as a means of communication between scientific workers in all fields and at different levels and not to restrict itself to publishing erudite original findings alone. A further aim was to communicate interesting evidence-based knowledge to the general public, thereby linking science to broader society. From those beginnings, the article traces the numerous changes in format, regularity, quality and financing over a century. As science and scientists became more formalised in South Africa, editorial disciplines were introduced, and higher quality contributions were solicited. Financial considerations thrust the Journal under different publishing umbrellas. Authors became more professional and disciplined in their publications. This article chronicles the development of the SAJS into the open-access scholarly multidisciplinary journal it is today.

The use of social media for promoting nutrition in a conflict-affected country: Facebook Insights

In Myanmar, exclusive breastfeeding amongst infants under six months is only 51%, although overall breastfeeding rate is almost universal at 98%. Only 16% of children aged 6 – 23 months meet the minimum acceptable dietary standards. In addition, 58% of children aged 6 – 59 months and 47% of women aged 15 – 45 years are anaemic(1). A Facebook page named “Dohmeetharsulay” was launched by a team of Burmese nutritionists and nurses (who also served as page administrators), in June 2019, aiming to contribute to closing the maternal and child nutrition promotion gap. A military coup happened on 1st February 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic(2) causing unrest, armed conflicts, and increasing the strain on the country’s health system. The military junta then imposed internet and media restrictions, including banning the use of Facebook(3). The aim of this study is to explore the important role of using social media in nutrition education in a challenging context by measuring engagement with the programme.Meta, previously known as Facebook, provides automatically calculated social media insight data on indicators such as page’s reach, audience demography and posts performance. Data for a three-year period, from 1 March 2021 (which is one month after the coup) to 29 February 2024, was reviewed and analysed numerically by the administrator team led by the main author (who is a nutritionist), to understand the page’s reach and overall performance in achieving its objective of promoting nutrition.The Dohmeetharsulay page had 2.6 million reaches, during the study period; with only 121,171 from paid promotion. The page had 45,300 lifetime followers (82.6% women and 17.4% men). Myanmar was the top country represented by 86.5% of total followers followed by Thailand (5.8%), Malaysia (1.7%), Singapore (1.1%), United States (0.7%), India (0.5%), Japan (0.4%), China (0.3%), Indonesia (0.3%) and Nigeria (0.3%). The contents received 172,500 engagements including reactions, comments, shares and clicks on the posts.Several authors have suggested that the use of social media has potential to improve positive health and nutrition behaviours, especially in hard-to-reach groups(4). Dohmeetharsuly is the only social media page dedicated to promoting evidence-based nutrition knowledge in the Burmese language, without any commercial influence. Despite the challenges and restrictions under the dictatorship, the data indicated that the page continued to communicate nutrition messages to the intended audience. Although further investigations are needed, it can be assumed that educational messages from the page have been benefiting families who have migrated or are displaced from Myanmar, in addition to the families inside Myanmar. Thus, the use of social media has an important role in providing nutrition education for families especially in places like Myanmar where reach of traditional health communication is limited due to conflict.

Implementation of ERAS Protocols: In Theory and Practice.

The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway is a perioperative care pathway intended to facilitate early recovery and minimize hospital stays among patients undergoing major surgery. Critical factors for successful ERAS implementation, which may vary depending on care processes, include a multidisciplinary team, organizational commitment to change, and a real-time system for compliance and outcome audits. As most clinicians and health organizations can attest, incorporating and implementing new evidence-based practice changes almost always involves overcoming systemic challenges and obstacles. The same holds true for ERAS programs. The main barriers to ERAS protocol implementation have been resistance to change, lack of time and resources, and inadequate communication and coordination among departments. According to evidence-based ERAS guidelines, the best way to efficiently implement all recommendations into practice is to discover. Implementation science aims to identify and address care gaps, support change in practice, and enhance healthcare quality. Implementation research should also build a robust and generalizable evidence base to inform implementation practice. Most implementation investigations focus on one of two approaches to achieving change. Implementation can progress through top-down or bottom-up processes depending on factors such as national policies, organizational properties, or the implementation culture of society, especially for health issues. Although the ERAS guidelines are based on evidence-based knowledge, only a limited number of health centers around the world have officially been able to implement them. The purpose of this review is to analyze the implementation of the ERAS pathways in theory and practice in Turkey, considering the absence of an ERAS-qualified center in Turkey.

Educational and communication strategies to promote HPV vaccination: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background Despite the evidence supporting the value of vaccination, Cervical Cancer (CC) and HPV-related diseases still represents a public health challenge, requiring international efforts to address all barriers that can reduce vaccine acceptance and equitable uptake. In this context, implementing interventions aimed at enhancing knowledge levels within target populations emerges as a crucial approach to improve vaccination coverage. Thus, this study conducted within the PERCH project (PartnERship to Contrast HPV), aimed to explore all educational interventions/communication strategies adopted at the international level to improve HPV vaccine uptake. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted by querying three databases from July 1, 2006 (the time of the first HPV vaccine licensure) to January 30, 2024. It included studies focused on educational interventions/communication strategies adopted by healthcare providers (HCPs) targeting the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended population for HPV vaccination, as well as parents, caregivers, teachers, and other influential individuals involved in vaccination decision-making. Results Overall, 16 studies were considered, with 68.7% (11/16) focusing on educational initiatives and 50% (8/16) on communication strategies. Regarding the target population, 19% (3/16) involved parents/caregivers, 25% (4/16) included both parents and adolescents, and the remaining 56% (9/16) targeted adolescents/young adults. Videos were the most commonly used channel for both types of interventions (54%), followed by informative materials (31%), person-to-person solicitation (17%), social media (15%) and slide presentations (23%). Conclusions Understanding the strengths and weaknesses in HPV knowledge and communication is crucial for developing effective, tailored strategies to disseminate reliable information and promote evidence-based knowledge, thereby implementing high-value healthcare. Key messages • Effective communication of vaccination’s value to stakeholders is essential for informing health policies, guiding best practices, and countering misinformation. • Further research is needed to develop interventions that effectively increase HPV vaccine acceptance, aligning with the WHO’s goals to eliminate CC and HPV-related diseases.

Measuring evidence-based practice knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behavior in students of manual therapy education programs: A scoping review of instruments and their measurement properties.

The purpose of this review was to identify assessment instruments and their measurement properties for assessing evidence-based practice (EBP) knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behavior among students of manual therapy education programs. 7 electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to May 19, 2023. (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ERIC, EBSCO Discovery, LISA, Google Scholar.) Search terms were subject headings specific to each database (MeSH in MEDLINE) and relevant to evidence-based practice, assessment tools/instruments, and manual therapy healthcare professions. Eligible studies included students of manual therapy education programs (chiropractic, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, osteopathy) and provided evidence supporting instrument measurement properties (reliability, validity). Titles and abstracts were screened by 2 reviewers. Data on each instrument and its properties were extracted and tabulated by 2 reviewers. Instruments were compared using the Classification Rubric for EBP Assessment Tools in Education (CREATE) framework including the 5 steps in the EBP model. Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist were followed. 5 studies were identified, (3 physiotherapy, 2 chiropractic) Two studies used a physiotherapy-focused modification of the Fresno test. One study presented the Knowledge of Research Evidence Competencies instrument. Two studies presented original instruments. Instruments focused on the knowledge domain and did not assess all 5 EBP model steps. The current literature does not address all 5 steps of the EBP model. The identified instruments have the potential to ensure chiropractic institutions are graduating chiropractors who are highly skilled in evidence-based practice.

Evidence-Based Data on the Diagnostic Role and Clinical Usefulness of [18F]FDG PET/CT in Endocarditis and Cardiac Device Infections.

Infective endocarditis and infection of cardiac devices are conditions characterized by high morbidity and mortality, thus requiring a prompt diagnosis. Advanced imaging modalities are often required in the management of infectious endocarditis according to guidelines. The aim of this review is to collect and describe evidence-based knowledge about the diagnostic role and clinical usefulness of [18F]FDG PET/CT in endocarditis and cardiac device infections based on published systematic reviews and meta-analyses on this topic and on recent guidelines. [18F]FDG PET/CT is recommended only in selected cases. This imaging method has good diagnostic accuracy in detecting prosthetic valve endocarditis and cardiac device infection. Furthermore, it can identify extra-cardiac infectious foci changing the clinical management in a significant percentage of cases.

Nutritional screening on hospital admission and one-year clinical outcomes in a prospective cohort of older patients

Background & AimsMalnutrition negatively affects the prognosis and quality of life of hospitalized patients. However, there are several gaps between evidence-based knowledge and current clinical practice. Our primary aim was to describe the prevalence of malnutrition risk in a cohort of in a cohort of older inpatients; secondly, we explored its predictors and its independent impact on 12-month survival. MethodsProspective study focused on patients aged 65 years and older consecutively admitted for any reason to the acute geriatric and general medical units of an Italian university hospital. Comprehensive geriatric assessment data, including the short form of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF), were collected within 48 hours of admission. The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition according to the MNA-SF represented the main outcome. Correlations among clinical variables, nutritional status, and one-year survival were analyzed using multivariable and Cox models. ResultsAmong 594 patients (median age: 84 years, 49.5% female), mostly living at home with moderate functional autonomy, 82.3% were identified as probably malnourished or at risk of malnutrition according to MNA-SF (39.9% and 42.4%, respectively). Malnutrition and the risk of malnutrition were positively associated with living alone at home (OR 2.803, 95%CI 1.567-5.177, p<0.001), and negatively associated with autonomy in IADL (OR 0.765, 95%CI 0.688-0.846, p<0.001) and the best performance at HST (OR 0.901, 95%CI 0.865-0.936; p<0.001). After 12 months, 31.8% of patients was dead and mortality was positively correlated with malnutrition according to MNA-SF (OR 2.493, 95%CI 1.345-4.751, p=0.004), institutionalization (OR 2.815, 95%CI 1.423-5.693, p=0.003) and severe cognitive impairment (OR 1.701, 95%CI 1.031-2.803, p=0.036). ConclusionMalnutrition is common among older inpatients upon admission, primarily influenced by their functional and cognitive status, and it is linked to a worse prognosis. Early incorporation of thorough nutritional and functional assessments into clinical practice is crucial to improve prognosis prediction and enable timely, focused interventions targeting modifiable causal factors in a patient-centered approach.

Psychiatrists’ beliefs, awareness, and attitudes toward gender variance: A French cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe evolution of knowledge and recommendations concerning transgender health has led to various representations, especially for health professionals, that can influence the medical management of transgender individuals. The main objective of this study was to explore the representation of psychiatrists in France regarding gender variance. The secondary objective was to compare these data based on their characteristics. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional observational study based on the distribution in April 2022 of a questionnaire to psychiatrists and psychiatric residents in France. The questionnaire was developed after exploring the results of qualitative studies in the scientific literature. ResultsAmong 359 respondents, 181 were psychiatric residents and 178 were senior psychiatrists. Ninety percent had already met a transgender person in their professional practice. The representations observed among the respondents were heterogeneous. Most respondents did not consider “transgenderism” a symptom of a psychiatric disorder, and nearly all respondents used the gender and name their patients ask for. About 60% reported insufficient knowledge about “transgenderism”, with 86% considering that they had not been trained to adequately support transgender people. ConclusionsThe study reveals that representations, although weakened by a lack of knowledge recognized by psychiatrists, favor a non-pathologizing apprehension of gender variance and recognition of the importance of respecting gender diversity and self-determination. The heterogeneity of representations, as well as the high prevalence of professionals who describe a lack of knowledge, skills, and training, support the need for guidelines and the integration of evidence-based knowledge about gender variance into the psychiatric curriculum.

Leveraging a Global Partnership to Address COVID-19-Related Mental Health Challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected nurses globally. As frontline workers, nurses faced increased responsibilities amid challenges such as isolation, infection risks, family obligations and disrupted social support systems. Coping with these challenges was associated with adverse mental health outcomes. This perspective paper examines a collaboration between two schools of nursing in the United States and India to address these mental health challenges. Faculty from both institutions identified key mental health topics, leading to five webinars that delved into topics such as acute and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on nurse mental health, coping mechanisms, caregiving responsibilities and children's needs during the pandemic. Impressively, over 11,000 nurses from 60 countries engaged, fostering a global platform for sharing evidence-based knowledge, experiences and strategies. This partnership exemplifies the value of international collaboration. By pooling resources and expertise across cultural contexts, the initiative not only disseminated crucial knowledge but also cultivated a sense of global community among nurses. The success of this collaboration underscores the potential of such global partnerships for healthcare institutions worldwide, offering avenues to share best practices and enhance support systems for nurses confronting similar crises globally.

Assessing the knowledge of low back pain among physiotherapists in Spain: A cohort study with pre- and post-educational course evaluation

BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder worldwide and physiotherapists are among the primary healthcare professionals assessing and treating the condition. However, scientific knowledge regarding the management of LBP amongst physiotherapists is largely unknown. ObjectivesTo evaluate the level of evidence-based knowledge among Spanish physiotherapists in LBP management and assess knowledge enhancement following the completion of an e-learning course. DesignSingle-arm cohort study with pre-post evaluation. MethodsThis single-arm pre-post study involved 1350 physiotherapists practicing in Spain. Initially, participants underwent a 22-question test on evidence-based LBP knowledge, covering socio-economic impact, characteristics of LBP, rehabilitation goals, psychosocial factors, and high- and low-value interventions. After completing the course, participants took a final test with the same 22 questions in randomized order. ResultsOut of the 1350 physiotherapists enrolled, 857 completed the course. The initial responses demonstrated that almost half of the participants considered medical imaging essential before starting physiotherapy treatment, perceived glucocorticoids as recommended for chronic low back pain, and considered ergonomic adjustments crucial for managing the condition. Individuals who completed their education more than 10 years ago showed a minor improvement in evidence-based knowledge compared to those who recently finished their university degree. Following the course, participants displayed improved knowledge, narrowing prior disparities in error percentages across questions. ConclusionDue to existing gaps in physiotherapists’ evidence-based knowledge of LBP, particularly among those who have worked longer time as physiotherapists, e-learning initiatives may be a feasible approach to support continuous training of physiotherapists.