Long-term Physical Health Conditions Research Articles

Perceptions of recovery and prognosis from long-term conditions: The relevance of hope and imagined futures.

Analyses of the experiences of chronic conditions demonstrate the importance of moral worth and social meaning linked to undertaking self-management practices. Rather less attention has been paid to the contemplation and significance of adopting, embedding and continuing with established practices overtime. This study explored perceptions about recovery and prognosis from the point of view of people with long-term physical health conditions and compared these findings with the mental health literature. A longitudinal qualitative study was conducted incorporating semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. Thirty-two participants identified as having a chronic long-term physical health condition such as heart disease and diabetes were included in the study. In line with the notions of recovery in the mental health field, respondents viewed recovery as a complex journey related to the ability to undertake things of value in everyday life. However, there were differences in relation to reflections on trajectories and imagined futures centred on physical health. These findings are discussed in the context of literature from the mental and physical health fields and recent health policies for those with long-term conditions. The study adds to existing literature by examining the similarities and differences in the experience of chronic physical and mental health conditions.

Solution-focused brief therapy from the perspective of clients with long-term physical health conditions

As long-term physical health conditions are becoming increasingly prevalent in our society, interventions are needed to help individuals live as well as possible. The research explores participants’ experiences of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) with a view to determining helpful aspects of this. Eleven service users were interviewed, and interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Participants’ responsibility for change and the strengths and resources they possessed were highlighted, along with the focus within therapy on goals. A number of specific SFBT techniques that were perceived as helpful during therapy were described such as reframing, competence talk and reflectiveness, as well as other factors that enabled engagement with the psychologist.

PROTOCOL: Community‐Based Rehabilitation for People with Disabilities in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries

PROTOCOL: Community‐Based Rehabilitation for People with Disabilities in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries

Addressing appearance-related distress across clinical conditions

Evidence is accumulating about the nature and prevalence of appearance-related distress across a variety of clinical populations. Health professionals working with specific patient groups are often aware of these difficulties and their detrimental effect on quality of life and wellbeing. However, many health professionals lack knowledge and skills on how to support patients, either within the team or via referral to relevant service providers who have expertise in managing appearance-related distress. This is mainly owing to a lack of information about screening, assessment measures and available interventions. The aim of this article is to consider how health professionals can support patients who experience distress as a result of living with a long-term physical health condition that has altered their appearance. This article summarises the challenges for patients and health professionals surrounding body image, altered appearance and associated distress. Gaps in relation to screening measures, differing types of intervention, appearance-related skills training for healthcare teams, care pathways and access to services are identified. A summary of the limited range of interventions currently available has been mapped onto a stepped model of care, ranging from self-help to intensive therapies. Finally, readers are pointed to helpful resources for understanding, identifying, addressing and signposting patients with appearance-related distress.

Dementia and Sleep Disturbances

Sleep is fragmented and disturbed in older adults with dementia. Their sleep problems vary according to dementia subtypes, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Multiple factors, such as neurobiologic mechanisms underlying sleep disturbances and dementia, primary sleep disorders, long-term care environments, and physical and mental health conditions are associated with sleep disturbances. In older adults with dementia, these disturbances negatively affect their health, quality of life and medical expenses. As a result, these adults may require placement in a long-term care institution, and their caregivers’ health may be adversely affected. Both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions may alleviate the symptoms associated with sleep disturbances. However, nonpharmacologic interventions, particularly when combined, have been shown to be more effective than pharmacologic interventions for the treatment of sleep disturbances in older adults with dementia.

Correlates of Perceived Need for Mental Health Care Among Active Military Personnel

Correlates of Perceived Need for Mental Health Care Among Active Military Personnel