Competent Health Professionals Research Articles

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clinical competence of health professionals in Poland and Spain: results of the health exclusion research in Europe (HERE) study

IntroductionHealth disparities experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals have been partially attributed to healthcare professionals’ lack of cultural competence in addressing their specific needs. This study aimed to assess the differences in competencies and preparedness among health professionals from Poland and Spain when working with LGBT patients.MethodologyData were collected between June and August 2024 through a cross-sectional survey involving 673 health professionals (Mage = 33.54, SD = 9.74; 61.5% female), including 273 participants from Spain and 400 from Poland. Participants completed a self-administered survey, which included sociodemographic questions and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBT-DOCSS). Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze predictors of clinical preparedness, attitudes, and knowledge regarding LGBT care. Clinical trial number: not applicable.ResultsSpanish health professionals showed higher total LGBT-DOCSS scores compared to Polish participants (B = 0.503, p < 0.001). Gender was a significant predictor, with men scoring higher in clinical preparedness (B = 0.771, p = 0.002), while women scored higher in attitudes (B = -0.457, p < 0.001). In Poland, age was positively correlated with clinical preparedness (B = 0.034, p = 0.022), and physicians scored significantly higher in overall competency compared to nurses/midwives (B = 0.621, p = 0.005). Participation in LGBT-related training was associated with higher clinical preparedness in both countries, with those attending training 3 or more times scoring higher than those who never attended (B = 1.659, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe study revealed significant differences in LGBT competency between Polish and Spanish health professionals. Factors such as gender, age, profession, and participation in LGBT-related training were associated with these competencies. Results suggest that a more tailored approach in professional education and training may be necessary to ensure all health workers possess adequate skills and attitudes toward LGBT care.

A Delphi study on health literacy competencies for health professionals

BackgroundHealth professionals play a key role in promoting health literacy, as they continue to be one of the main points of contact and most trusted source of information for healthcare users on questions and concerns regarding health and disease. To adequately support individuals in dealing with health information and services and to strengthen health literacy, health professionals need a corresponding set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes, hence they need a wide range of health literacy competencies. Despite their crucial role in guiding and supporting patients and their relatives in terms of health-related information and services, in-depth studies on health literacy competencies of health professionals are still scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify and prioritize health literacy competencies of health professionals in German-speaking countries.MethodsA modified, two-round Delphi study was conducted with 24 experts in the field of health literacy or a relevant field from Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. The experts were asked to evaluate and rate different competencies of health professionals regarding health literacy.ResultsAs a result, 14 core competencies have been identified by the experts, including five items referring to the category “knowledge”, seven items to the category “skills” and two items referring to the category “attitude”. The identified competences indicate that health literate health professionals understand health literacy’s importance, employ clear communication techniques, and actively engage patients to ensure comprehension. Furthermore, health literate health professionals recognize cultural barriers, use plain language, and maintain that effective communication is crucial for quality healthcare. Among the 14 core competencies, communication practices were reported to be of particular importance for practice-oriented, professional health literacy skills of health professionals.ConclusionsThe identified set of health literacy competencies provides an essential groundwork for future assessments of competencies concerning professional health literacy among health professionals, their integration into curricula, and further development of tailor-made trainings and education.

Assessment of spiritual care competencies of critical care health professionals: An integrative review.

The primary aim of the present study was to assess the competencies related to the spiritual care by nurses and health professionals who work in intensive care units, and how these competencies influence clinical practice. As a secondary objective, we have discussed the strengths, weaknesses and threats of incorporating and teaching these competencies among the included studies. An integrative review of studies published in English, Spanish and Portuguese was performed in the following databases: Embase, Web of Science, Medline/PubMed, PsycInfo, LILACS and Cochrane. Eleven out of a total of 2,239 articles were included. Most were cross-sectional studies with nurses and the main competencies included were "spiritual care attitude" and "knowledge-related spirituality". The studies were separated into three themes: "Strengths", "Weakness" and "Opportunities". The results showed there are several challenges for professionals working in ICUs, including lack of time, high workload and the influence of the cultural context. Furthermore, few professionals are actually trained to provide spiritual care in the ICU and this care is often provided only at the end of life. Despite this evidence, only one quasi-experimental study on training on the subject in the ICU was identified and no trials, reinforcing the need for more educational studies. There is still a large gap regarding spiritual care in the intensive care environment, often related to the lack of training and knowledge of the team. Exploring the competencies involved in spiritual care provided by health professionals is a way to deepen the debate within the healthcare-related scientific scenario. Our findings allow a better understanding of outcomes related to healthcare, based on the assessment of these competencies and aspects related to critical patients, expanding the possibility of building scientific knowledge in the health area and allowing thoughts about multiple forms of research, including randomized clinical studies.

Co-Designing Recipe Resources to Support Healthy Eating in African-Caribbeans in the United Kingdom: An Academic and Community Partnership Approach.

The wealth of free food-based resources available to UK consumers on healthy eating and nutrition provides very limited illustrations of ethnic foods including African-Caribbean cuisines. This inequality in available resources limits the ability of African-Caribbean communities to effectively manage their health and reduces the cultural competence of health professionals. The aim was to co-design healthier versions of several traditional African-Caribbean recipe resources by working in partnership with academics, a community-based Third Sector organisation, and their service-users. Nutritional analysis software was used to theoretically modify the nutritional composition of popular traditional African-Caribbean recipes using recently produced analytical food composition data. Twelve recipes were theoretically modified to reduce the content of key nutrients and ingredients of concern (i.e., salt/sodium, free sugars), or increase those nutrients known to be at risk of lower than adequate intakes (i.e., iron, folate) within the UK African-Caribbean communities. Recipes were then prepared by community service-users (n = 12) of African-Caribbean ethnicity living in Leeds (UK) in the community service setting. The feasibility and acceptability of the recipes were evaluated by obtaining verbal feedback from service-users, following which recipes were further refined as appropriate. Modification resulted in a reduction in the overall energy (in the range of 23-188 kcal), fat (in the range of 0.1-13.7 g), saturated fatty acid (in the range of 0.1-2.9 g) and sugar (in the range of 0.2-8.3 g), provided by 100 g of the standard recipes. Similarly, modification resulted in the reduction in salt from about 63 to 0.01 g per 100 g edible portion of the standard recipe. It is feasible to modify African-Caribbean recipes to be healthier and acceptable to consumers. Combined with improving access to food environments that make available healthy foods, the recipes are intended to support healthier eating with African-Caribbean foods.

Hygiene Factors and Motivation Factors towards Job Satisfaction in Malaysia Healthcare Sector

Healthcare professionals' job satisfaction is a measure that should be included in quality improvement programmes for healthcare services. It significantly affects how productive and effective healthcare facilities are. The most valuable resource in the healthcare system is its human resources, which also serve as the driving force behind the delivery of sustainable services (Saari and Judge, 2004). The effectiveness of health services is impacted by employee turnover and absenteeism, which are both linked to poorer job satisfaction among these competent health professionals. The WHO has determined that the threshold of the health workforce density is currently below expectations in several developing nations. The goal of this study is to have a better awareness and knowledge of the motivational factors that influence job satisfaction in Malaysia's healthcare industries. Many academic researchers have studied motivational factors causing job satisfaction in different populations. The scope of this study will be focused on the Malaysian healthcare industry, and the respondents will be Malaysian healthcare professionals. This study concentrates on the national level of job satisfaction and motivational factors among healthcare professionals. The findings of the study help the Malaysian Ministry of Health, regional health bureaus, and other stakeholders who invest in the Malaysian health sector plan appropriate interventions to promote healthcare professionals' retention in public health sectors.

A literature review of health literacy competency for health professionals

Purpose: This study aimed to provide a descriptive review of health literacy competency questionnaires and to identify their attributes for developing a health literacy competency measurement tool to be used by Korean health professionals.Methods: A literature review was conducted through a search in international and Korean databases (PubMed, CINAHL, RISS, and KISS) for articles published between 2010 and 2024. A total of 2,200 articles were explored, out of which 6 studies met the inclusion criteria.Results: In Canada, an initial set of health literacy competency questionnaires was developed; subsequently, two questionnaires were developed in China and Brazil. Another study was translated using the initial Canadian study questionnaires, and two studies were modified. All six studies meeting the inclusion criteria employed a Delphi process involving 20~41 expert panels. Among the six studies, only one reported the psychometric properties of the questionnaires used. The reviewed questionnaires comprised knowledge, attitude, skills, and practice domains based on Bloom’s taxonomy. Knowledge and skills were commonly included factors in the questionnaires.Conclusion: There were 17 knowledge, 10 attitude, 13 skills, and 13 practice attributes for each area of the reviewed questionnaires. “Easy-to-read materials,” “plain language,” and “teach-back” were identified as appropriate attributes for measuring health literacy competencies. Among the questionnaires, there were many items and many overlapping items between the domains. Further studies are required to refine their essential attributes and to verify the instruments’ psychometric properties in order to increase their feasibility.

INdependenT prEscribinG in community phaRmAcy; whaT works for whom, why and in what circumstancEs (INTEGRATE): Realist review study protocol

Introduction The last decades have witnessed a series of initiatives in the United Kingdom (UK) to enhance patient access to quality care including access to medicine without compromising patient’s safety. Pharmacist independent prescribing is one of the initiatives introduced in 2006 with the intention of making more effective use of the skills and competencies of health professionals. Community pharmacy has a key role in the NHS long-term plan since pharmacies offer convenient and accessible sources of healthcare advice for the public. This role is more evident with the introduction of prescribing for all qualified pharmacists at the point of registration starting 2026. This realist review aims to explore how does independent prescribing in community pharmacy works, for whom, in what circumstances and how. Method and analysis Realist research seeks to explore and explain complex social interventions by utilising programme theories providing causal explanations of outcomes in terms of context-mechanism-outcome configurations. INTEGRATE will progress through six stages. In the first stage, we will partner with Patient, Public, Involvement and Engagement Group (PPIE) and Practitioner Stakeholder Group (SG), to further scrutinise the review’s focus. In stage 2, we will develop initial programme theories for what makes independent prescribing effective in community pharmacy, for whom, in what circumstances and how. In the third stage, we will conduct literature searches to gather secondary data that will help refine our initial programme theories. In stage 4, we will select and appraise identified articles by screening titles, abstracts and full texts against inclusion and exclusion criteria. In stage 5, we will extract, document and code relevant data, followed by realist analysis with contributions from the PPIE and SG. Stage 6 focuses on refining programme theories and identifying key mechanisms that lead to desired outcomes. PROSPERO registration: CRD42023468451

Preparing the Future Public Health Workforce: Fostering Global Citizenship Through the Relational Employability Framework—Insights from Two Case Studies

A well-prepared public health workforce is essential for reducing disease burdens and improving population health, necessitating an education that addresses global and complex challenges. This paper explores the integration of the Relational Employability Framework in public health education as a tool to foster critical reflection and cultivate global citizenship among students and graduates. Global citizenship encompasses the social, political, environmental and economic actions of globally conscious individuals and communities, recognising that individuals operate within diverse local and global networks. Relational employability expands traditional notions of graduate employability, incorporating not only foundational career development and human interactions but also connections with more-than-human elements, including ecologies, technologies and materials. Our research, conducted at Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia, involved two case studies using qualitative interviews. Case Study 1, drawn from the Cook’s doctoral research, explored student experiences with the Relational Employability Framework within an undergraduate capstone unit. Case Study 2, a school-funded project, gathered graduate perspectives to inform ongoing curriculum development. The findings indicate that the Relational Employability Framework can help support the development of global citizenship through critical reflective practice, as students reported improved ability to engage with diverse perspectives and societal challenges, and graduates highlighted the framework’s role in supporting ethical, evidence-based practice in professional contexts. Additionally, the framework supported the development of a reflective mindset, which graduates said helped them make informed, value-based career decisions, thus advancing their professional growth. This study suggests that adopting a relational employability approach can prepare globally competent and reflective public health professionals and recommends its implementation across health and higher education.

Improving health outcomes in Cameroon through competency-based curricula and stakeholder engagement in accreditation

This review article explores the accreditation process for health personnel training in Cameroon, emphasizing its critical role in ensuring quality education and improving healthcare delivery. It begins with an overview of the current state of health education institutions and regulatory mechanisms, highlighting the need for robust national guidelines for accreditation. The review examines the importance of autonomous councils for each health specialty, emphasizing their role in establishing specialized standards, monitoring compliance, and promoting ethical values in training. It also discusses the historical context and evolution of accreditation, identifying past limitations and the necessity for updated standards. The strengths and challenges of the proposed guidelines are analyzed, focusing on their potential impact on the competence of health professionals. Comparative assessments with successful accreditation systems in other African nations, such as Nigeria and Ghana, provide valuable insights into best practices. The perspectives of various stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare providers, are examined. The article concludes with recommendations for enhancing accreditation processes, including capacity building and continuous stakeholder engagement, ultimately supporting the development of a competent healthcare workforce aligned with national health goals.

3.F. Round table: Legal action &amp; capacity building: essential for climate action to protect and promote public health

Abstract The climate crisis is the single biggest threat to global health, peace and security, a crisis multiplier, and a significant driver of health inequalities within and between countries. In many areas of public health policy, legal action and litigation have delivered significant and long-lasting impacts. Court action is a strong domain of legal policy and practice to address climate change and related air pollution in many countries, and increasingly in international courts and tribunals. Examples include the 2021 landmark UK Coroners Report on the asthma-related death of Ella Kissi-Debrah, the 2023 UN General Assembly Request for an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice on states’ obligations to address climate change, and the 2024 European Court of Human Rights decision in Klimanseniorinnen v. Switzerland. Climate litigation also creates opportunities for public scrutiny and debate by raising awareness of inaction or harm caused by governments or private sector polluters, generating wider community mobilisation for action. Since 2021, the EUPHA Law and Public Health Section, Faculty of Public Health (UK), Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health, Global Network for Academic Public Health, ASPHER and other partners have collaborated to build ethicolegal competence and capacity of public health professionals for climate action. Initiatives have also included research, advocacy, and resource development, and exploring opportunities for legal action and litigation, including at the International Conference on Strategic Litigation and Public Health (Liverpool, 2023). The roundtable will present key findings from an evaluation of the course on climate change organised by the ASPHER and the Global Consortium on Health and Climate Education (GCHCE), and learnings and feedback from the publication ‘From analysis to action: climate change litigation. A guide for public health professionals’, which was launched at the 16th European Public Health Conference. The expert panel will also reflect on whether the nature of current educational materials, means and methods in curriculum and training initiatives are effective, appropriate, adequate, and sufficient. Should climate change be part of One Health and Planetary Health programmes rather than a distinct entity? What is the role of, and what are the opportunities for, public health professionals to be engaged in climate litigation? What are the gaps and opportunities through strategic networking with environmental and legal experts, and affected communities? The roundtable will be interactive and invite input and insights from the participants to explore opportunities to further advance the agenda. Key messages • Public health professionals have a key and increasing role in climate law and litigation: interdisciplinary collaboration is essential. • Public health professionals have multiple avenues for capacity building on opportunities to address climate and environmental impacts on public health through law. Speakers/Panelists David Patterson University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands Farhang Tahzib Faculty of Public Health, Haywards heath, UK Liz Green Public Health Wales, Wrexham, UK Ana-Catarina Pinho-Gomes University College London, London, UK

Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Online Course on Pediatric Malnutrition for Syrian Health Professionals: Qualitative Delphi Study.

There is a shortage of competent health professionals in managing malnutrition. Online education may be a practical and flexible approach to address this gap. This study aimed to identify essential competencies and assess the effectiveness of an online course on pediatric malnutrition in improving the knowledge of pediatricians and health professionals. A focus group (n=5) and Delphi technique (n=21 health professionals) were used to identify 68 essential competencies. An online course consisting of 4 educational modules in Microsoft PowerPoint (Microsoft Corp) slide form with visual aids (photos and videos) was designed and published on the Syrian Virtual University platform website using an asynchronous e-learning system. The course covered definition, classification, epidemiology, anthropometrics, treatment, and consequences. Participants (n=10) completed a pretest of 40 multiple-choice questions, accessed the course, completed a posttest after a specified period, and filled out a questionnaire to measure their attitude and assess their satisfaction. A total of 68 essential competencies were identified, categorized into 3 domains: knowledge (24 competencies), skills (29 competencies), and attitudes (15 competencies). These competencies were further classified based on their focus area: etiology (10 competencies), assessment and diagnosis (21 competencies), and management (37 competencies). Further, 10 volunteers, consisting of 5 pediatricians and 5 health professionals, participated in this study over a 2-week period. A statistically significant increase in knowledge was observed among participants following completion of the online course (pretest mean 24.2, SD 6.1, and posttest mean 35.2, SD 3.3; P<.001). Pediatricians demonstrated higher pre- and posttest scores compared to other health care professionals (all P values were <.05). Prior malnutrition training within the past year positively impacted pretest scores (P=.03). Participants highly rated the course (mean satisfaction score >3.0 on a 5-point Likert scale), with 60% (6/10) favoring a blended learning approach. In total, 68 essential competencies are required for pediatricians to manage children who are malnourished. The online course effectively improved knowledge acquisition among health care professionals, with high participant satisfaction and approval of the e-learning environment.

Development and validation of the questionnaire of OSCE's educational effects.

One of the most common assessment tools for examining the competencies of health professionals is the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). In this study, an Educational Effects of OSCE Questionnaire (EEOQ) was developed and validated in seven steps: (1) Reviewing the literature, (2) Holding focus groups, (3) Synthesizing the results of literature review and focus groups, (4) Developing items, (5) Evaluating content validity, (6) Conducting cognitive interviews, and (7) Implementing a pilot test. The analysis of the literature review and focus groups revealed that the educational effects of OSCE are influenced by factors related to the test, the examiner, the peers, and the student. Initially, 22 items were developed, but one item was excluded based on the results of the I-CVR and I-CVI indices. In the Exploratory Factor Analysis, the KMO index was computed to be 0.85, and the significance of Bartlett's test of sphericity was confirmed (p < 0.001). The Total Variance Explained table showed that the educational effects of OSCE were grouped into four factors: content, structure, reflection and review, and feedback along with OSCE. This study found good evidence of validity and reliability for a questionnaire measuring the educational effects of OSCEs. It was discovered that OSCE can have different effects on student learning processes.

A study of professional practices, attitudes and barriers to blended tube feeding in Australia and New Zealand.

This study investigates the utilisation of blended tube feeding by health professionals in Australia and New Zealand, assessing factors influencing its implementation following the Australasian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition blended tube feeding consensus statement. A cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting health professionals across Australia and New Zealand. The survey comprised 35-questions including multiple choice, Likert scales and open-ended responses, to gain insights into blended tube feeding practices and perspectives. The effect of the health professional factors on outcomes was explored in pairs with a series of Chi-squared tests. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using standard univariate logistic regression. An exploratory content analysis was used to code the open-ended text responses to the survey questions which were then categorised and further synthesised into overarching themes. Out of 89 health professionals who completed the survey, the majority were dietitians, 63% reported managing fewer than five patients using blended tube feeding within their services. Parental request was the leading reason for adoption. Notable barriers included clinician time constraints, resource limitations and a lack of formal guidelines. Some health professionals considered the primary risk associated with blended tube feeding to be poor growth and/or weight loss. Professional development was pivotal in increasing confidence and advocating for blended tube feeding, with significant correlations observed between blended tube feeding training and clinical practice. This study emphasises the essential role of education, resource availability and institutional policy in promoting blended tube feeding practices for health professionals. Findings suggest that focusing on professional development and standardised resources could significantly enhance knowledge, confidence and competence of health professionals in blended tube feeding application. The outcomes point towards the need for a coordinated approach to support evidence-based blended tube feeding practices, aligning with the Australasian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition blended tube feeding resources and recommendations.

Work stress and competency among radiology residents: the mediating effect of resilience.

Competency of health professionals stands as a fundamental element in ensuring the quality of care. Notably, work stress and resilience are found to be associated with competency of health professionals. However, the role of resilience between work stress and competency remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate competency, work stress and resilience of radiology residents, and to examine the mediating effect of resilience. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3,666 radiology residents from 31 provinces of China in 2021. The diagnostic radiology milestones were used to measure the competency. Results of work stress and resilience were derived from self-reports and assessment of the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) respectively. To examine the association between work stress, resilience, and competency, Spearman correlation analysis and hierarchical linear regression were employed. The mediating effect of resilience was tested by bootstrapping analysis. Descriptive statistics show that the average score (mean ± SD) of work stress, competency and resilience among radiology residents were 1.55 ± 1.53 (range from 0 to 6), 28.14 ± 13 (range from 0 to 81) and 5.97 ± 1.92 (range from 0 to 8), respectively. Work stress was negatively associated with competency (β = -0.51, p < 0.001) and resilience (-0.57, p < 0.001). In particular, resilience mediated the relationship between work stress and competence, and the total mediating effect was -0.49 (= - 0.57 * 0.86), accounting for 49.06% of the total effect. Work stress is a significant contributor to competence among radiology residents. Resilience significantly mediated the association. This study highlights incorporating resilience training courses into the standardized residency training program to reduce intensive work stress and promote competency of radiology residents.

Development of Research Core Competencies for Academic Practice Among Health Professionals: A Mixed-Methods Approach.

Of the 4 pillars of academic practice for nursing and allied health, research has been the least developed and no standard competency framework exists that is embedded in health professional scopes of practice. The objective of this article is to report on the preliminary development and pilot-testing of research and academic scholarship core competencies for nonphysician health professionals working within a large urban academic health sciences center. We conducted an internal and external environmental scan and multiphase consultation process to develop research and academic core competencies for health professionals working within an interprofessional setting. The final framework outlines 3 levels of research proficiency (novice, proficient, and advanced) and the relevant roles, specific competencies, and observable actions and/or activities for each proficiency level. Organizations should consider the integration of the framework within performance management processes and the development of a road map and self-assessment survey to track progress over time and support health professionals with their academic practice goals.

Commentary: Updated suicide prevention core competencies for mental health professionals: Implications for training, research, and practice.

Commentary: Updated suicide prevention core competencies for mental health professionals: Implications for training, research, and practice.

Macrodominios de competencias en telesalud de los profesionales del área de la salud

In response to the increasing worldwide implementation of telehealth with the intent of closing the gaps in access to health, the World Health Organization (WHO) stresses the importance of defining competencies for health professionals in this field. This article presents the results of a literature review that identifies telehealth competency domains that strengthen the skills of health professionals. The results were analysed by categorizing the competency domains systematically into macrodomains that encompasskeyaspectsoftelehealthpractice; suchas applicability, remote clinical care, communication, networking, management, professionalism, information technologies, and ethical and legal aspects. These findings, supported by WHO recommendations, provide a solid basis for designing telehealth training programs and can be adapted to local contexts, facilitating the development of policies and strategies to improve the quality and accessibility of health care in remote or underserved settings.

Interaction Processes between Health Professionals and Moroccan Immigrant Women in Reproductive Healthcare: The Disagreement in the Encounter-A Qualitative Study.

Spain is a multicultural society and has been defined by several authors as an immigrant-receiving country. Moroccan women of childbearing age constitute 28.20% of Moroccan immigrants. describe the interaction processes that occur between health professionals and Moroccan immigrant women in reproductive healthcare. Qualitative descriptive study based on Grounded Theory. Thirty immigrant women from Morocco and thirty-five health professionals participated in the study. Specific dimensions of analysis were defined and used to design the interview guide and focus groups. In the healthcare encounter, the construction of an effective communicative space between the people involved in it is essential; however, the language barrier and the interpersonal relationships characterized by silence in the encounter make a meaningful healthcare relationship difficult for those who participate in it. There are communication and relationship problems that alter healthcare and the professional-patient relationship which require the use of translation programs, the incorporation of intercultural meters, and the development of cultural competence in health professionals.

“Actually, even me I wouldn’t think that it is there” exploring the knowledge and attitudes of health professionals towards autism spectrum disorders in Uganda

Globally, the prevalence of ASD is reported to be increasing requiring more health professionals to provide care. However, to-date, there is little research from Uganda. This study aimed to explore health professionals’ knowledge and attitudes in the identification, diagnosis, and management of ASD in children and adolescents in Uganda. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from 20 health professionals working with children and adolescents in three regional hospitals in Uganda. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Perceptions and understanding by health professionals about ASD were captured as three themes: competence of health professionals in identifying and managing ASD; constraints to the identification and management of ASD; and, optimism. Findings suggest there are challenges in the identification and management of ASD, which results in the low detection of ASD in Uganda. Delivery of education to the wider community and health professional training is recommended. Key practitioner message Detection and identification of ASD in children and young people is limited in Uganda. Health professionals in Uganda experience challenges that impact on their ability to appropriately diagnose and support individuals with ASD. Lack of knowledge has been cited as a factor in the caregivers’ health seeking behavior. The low numbers of caregivers seeking help for the children with ASD from the health centers implies that some community members still have faith in the medical field. The sensitization of both professionals and community about the treatment and available services was recommended as a powerful tool in improving health-seeking behavior

Disability and Identity in English- and Spanish-Speaking Individuals of Mexican Descent

The purpose of this study was to assess disability identity among Spanish- and English-speaking individuals of Mexican descent. This was an online, cross-sectional study with self-report measures. One-hundred thirty-six persons of Mexican descent (i.e., first, second, and third generation) addressed three research questions: (a) What is the relationship between disability identity and specific types of disability factors? (b) Do differences in disability identities exist across gender? (c) Do differences in disability identities exist across household language use? Participants with chronic conditions, assistive devices, and mental health conditions answered no to the disability identity question. More women with chronic conditions, who used assistive devices, or with mental health conditions denied a disability identity compared with men. Individuals from Spanish-speaking households were more likely to report a mental health diagnosis and deny disability identity compared with those from English-speaking households. English-only surveys that use a single disability identity question will undercount Mexican Americans who are more comfortable with or are predominantly speaking Spanish. There are subtle changes in meaning and emphasis from English to Spanish. This may represent the need to increase cultural competence for health professionals, including the level and preference of linguistically appropriate services, and identify the need for translating materials and intervention protocols. Policies related to mental health and disability should be available in Spanish to increase information related to mental illnesses that potentially qualify as a disability.