Non-medical Professionals Research Articles

The General Public as well as Physiotherapists Evaluate Spinal Flexion as Dangerous Regardless of Their Own Low Back Pain History

BackgroundMaladaptive fear of movement in individuals with low back pain may be associated with worse clinical outcomes. ObjectiveTo explore beliefs about the perceived dangers regarding different spinal postures within the Czech Republic. DesignExploratory cross-sectional study including physiotherapists and members of the general public. MethodsSelf-reported perceived safety/danger of “straight” and “flexed” spinal postures regarding 1) sitting, 2) lifting of light and 3) heavy object from the floor based on three pairs of photographs was measured using numeric rating scales (0-10, safe to dangerous) without any given context and in the context of low back pain. The sum of differences between the ratings of flexed and straight postures were used to calculate Bending Safety Beliefs Thermometer (BSBThermometer) total score potentially ranging -60‒60 (higher values indicates evaluation of flexed spinal postures as more dangerous in comparison to straight postures). Results760 participants were included in the analysis. The mean BSBThermometer total score was 31.1 (SD 16.1) and higher scores were positively associated with being women (b=14.8, 95% CI [9.9-19.8]); non-medical profession (b=24.7, 95% CI [15.2-34.2]); age (b=0.38, 95% CI [0.16-0.6]; and their interactions. There was no significant association with current low back pain status or history of low back pain. ConclusionsOn average, participants evaluated “flexed” spinal postures as significantly more dangerous when compared with “straight” spinal postures, with only subgroups of physiotherapists scoring lower than the general public. Clinically, these beliefs could be targeted by individualized education, exposure-based interventions and public campaigns; however, further research is required.

Antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention in care for people with intellectual disabilities

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the major public health threats worldwide. However, little is known about antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention and control (IPC) in long-term care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards AMR and IPC among healthcare professionals working in long-term care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities (ID-LTCFs) in the Netherlands. Methods We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey study among medical and nonmedical trained healthcare professionals working in ID-LTCFs in the Netherlands. The survey study was carried out between July and November 2023 and consisted of validated survey items expanded with expert opinion and setting-specific items. Results In total, 109 medical and nonmedical trained healthcare professionals working in 37 long-term care organizations for people with intellectual disabilities throughout the Netherlands completed the questionnaire. Overall, knowledge levels about AMR and IPC differed between medical and nonmedical trained healthcare professionals working in ID-LCTFs, with medically trained professionals having a significant overall higher score on both topics. Knowledge regarding the perceived protective value of glove use was found to be insufficient. Moreover, healthcare professionals expressed a need for easy-to-read resources and tailored setting-specific information on AMR and IPC targeting both healthcare professionals as well as people with disabilities. Conclusions There is room for improvement regarding setting-specific IPC and hygiene policies, such as appropriate glove use in ID-LTCFs. As nonmedically trained professionals comprise most of the workforce within this setting, it is important to further tailor follow-up studies to the underlying factors that influence knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of these specific professionals within ID-LTCFs. Key messages • Developing setting and context-specific policies for infection prevention and control is crucial, particularly in long-term care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities. • Inclusive policy-making is key to combating antimicrobial resistance, and improving infection prevention and control in long-term care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Developing a tool to support vaccine literacy with a participatory approach: Glossary of essential terms on vaccinations

Abstract Issue Access to vaccination services on their own is often difficult for migrants, especially newcomers (NAM), due to few vaccine literate services. Professionals who meet migrants need easily accessible vaccine information, to strengthen their ability to promote vaccination and facilitate vaccination access for NAM, especially non-medical professionals such as cultural mediators, reception staff, language teachers, social workers and community leaders. Description For offering accurate, accessible and actionable information by using plain language, a Glossary of Essential terms on Vaccination was developed and then tailored in each consortium countries, with a participatory approach. The Glossary is structured in two sections: vaccination related terminology and terms specific to country healthcare organization. Results 8 workshops were organized in Greece, Italy, Spain, Germany, Cyprus, Malta, Poland, Romania to consult health and non-health professionals who work with migrants to make the tool as actionable as possible (83 participants). Cultural mediators were most represented, followed by NGO operators and physicians. The workshops were held based on shared guidelines, the focus was on assessing the clarity, completeness and usability of the glossary. 90% reported that the glossary is clear and useful, 80% considered the tool relevant, while 75% thought it is easy to use. The Glossary has been formatted with facing text in different languages for each consortium country, thus providing a comprehensive resource (53 final versions). Lessons By implementing the glossary, we aim to enable, empower, guide and facilitate access to immunization for NAMs. Sharing an essential vaccine-related information tool with “professionals for health” boosts their advocacy for NAM’s vaccination and healthcare system’s responsiveness to vaccine literacy. The participatory approach increases effectiveness and permeability of the tool itself.

Cancer genetic counseling in Chile: Addressing barriers, confronting challenges, and seizing opportunities in an underserved Latin American Community.

IntroductionDespite the rapid advancements in genomics and the enactment of a new cancer law in Chile, the implementation of cancer genetic counseling continues to face significant challenges due to limited resources and infrastructure. MethodsWe conducted a survey targeting healthcare providers who offer genetic counseling to cancer patients and possess training in genetics and counseling. Additionally, we distributed a separate survey to high-risk patients associated with an advocacy group to gather insights on their perceptions of and experiences with cancer genetic counseling. ResultsAmong the surveyed providers, 21% were non-medical professionals who developed their skills through postgraduate continuing education programs. Germline testing was not performed in 47% of cases. Among the participants, 37% considered genetic counseling important for understanding the cause of their cancer, 25% valued knowing their risk of developing future tumors, and 33% believed it would benefit their current cancer treatment. Just over half of the patients (54%) had access to genetic counseling. Among those that received genetic counseling, 85% found it beneficial. ConclusionIn Chile, barriers to genetic counseling persist, particularly in rural areas and due to a shortage of trained professionals. Public policies recognizing genetic counseling's importance are crucial, along with expanding training and infrastructure. Understanding patient perceptions and increasing the number of trained genetic counseling into cancer care, educating clinicians, and advocating for increased access are key steps for enhancing cancer treatment effectiveness in Chile.

First Aid Training for Non-Medical Professionals: The Need for Comprehensive Assessments [Letter

First Aid Training for Non-Medical Professionals: The Need for Comprehensive Assessments [Letter

First Aid Training for Non-Medical Professionals: The Need for Comprehensive Assessments [Response to Letter

First Aid Training for Non-Medical Professionals: The Need for Comprehensive Assessments [Response to Letter

COVID-19 and mental distress among health professionals in eight European countries during the third wave: a cross-sectional survey.

Even during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic health professionals were facing mental health challenges. The aim of this study was to examine the mental health of doctors, nurses and other professional groups in Europe and to identify differences between the professional groups. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey in 8 European countries. We asked for demographic data, whether the participants were exposed to COVID-19 at work, for main information sources about the pandemic, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), and major stressors. A MANCOVA was carried out to find predictors of mental health among health care professionals. The sample (N = 1398) consisted of 237 physicians, 459 nurses, and 351 other healthcare professionals and 351 non-medical professionals with no direct involvement in patient care. The mean mental health of all groups was affected to a mild degree. Major predictors for depression and anxiety weretheprofession groupwith higher scores especially in the group of the nurses and working directly with COVID-patients. In the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the psychological burden on health professionals has remained high, with being nurse and working directly with COVID19 patients being particular risk factors for mental distress. We found as a main result that nurses scored significantly higher on depression and anxiety than practitioners.

Role of Home Remedies and Self-Medication in Late Presentation of Acute Appendicitis and Its Possible Consequences

Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency with significant morbidity and mortality if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Delayed presentation is often attributed to factors like home remedies, self-medication, and misdiagnosis by non-medical professionals. This study aimed to identify the reasons for delayed presentation of acute appendicitis in patients presenting to Northwest General Hospital, Peshawar. This retrospective study was conducted from January 2021 to October 2022, including 120 patients with acute appendicitis. Most patients (61%) were male, with an average age of 45 years. A significant number of patients (48%) presented from remote areas, and 31% delayed seeking medical attention for more than 2 weeks. Common reasons for delay included self-medication (38%), misdiagnosis by non-medical professionals (57%), and fear of surgery. Delayed presentation of acute appendicitis is a significant public health issue in the study area. Factors contributing to delay include limited access to healthcare, self-medication, and misdiagnosis. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention are crucial to reduce complications and improve outcomes. Raising awareness among the public and healthcare providers about the importance of early presentation for acute appendicitis is essential.

The skinny on skin: The role of skin-aware professionals in skin cancer surveillance.

Licensed nonmedical, skin-aware professionals (e.g., hairdressers, massage therapists, etc.) have the potential to identify skin cancer, but baseline knowledge may not be sufficient to accomplish this goal. Following educational intervention, self-efficacy is one of the best surrogate metrics for behavior change. Curricula that increase knowledge and confidence levels can improve screening behaviors, but few have been tested for efficacy in this population AIMS: We assessed whether an online curriculum could reliably improve skin screening knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of nonmedical professionals PATIENTS/METHODS: Skin-aware professionals were recruited through the Oregon Health Authority and IMPACT Melanoma TM. Participants completed a pre-survey, online training module, post-survey, and one-year follow-up survey. We evaluated participants' indicated levels of concern for suspicious and nonsuspicious lesions relative to "gold standard" physician ratings. We also assessed confidence and self-reported behavior change regarding talking to clients about skin cancer and recommending they see a provider to evaluate suspicious lesions RESULTS: The pre-survey was completed by 9872 skin-aware professionals; 5434 completed the post-survey, and 162 completed the one-year follow-up survey. Participants showed a significant improvement in ability to indicate the correct level of concern for all lesion types in concordance with "gold standard" physician ratings (p < 0.001). Participants reported increased comfort levels in discussing health-related topics with their clients posttraining CONCLUSIONS: Our training module effectively increased skin-aware professionals' knowledge, confidence, and concern for malignant lesions. Skin-aware professionals may serve as a valuable extension of the skin self-exam, but additional studies are needed to evaluate the impact of these curricula long-term, including potential downstream consequences.

Comparing independent prescribing to patient group direction use in a general practitioner out-of-hours service: a retrospective cross-sectional service evaluation.

Global demand for healthcare is escalating, prompting exploration of innovative strategies to augment service capacity. Independent prescribing (IP) helps to address this challenge, allowing non-medical professionals to prescribe medication. Paramedics in the UK were granted prescribing privileges in 2018, yet uptake remains low. Despite qualitative evidence indicating that paramedic prescribing is beneficial, quantitative comparisons of medication provision between prescribers and non-prescribers are lacking. Paramedics provide patients with non-emergency medication by three different routes: IP, using a patient group direction (PGD) or with prescriber support.Advanced paramedic practitioners who are not qualified as independent prescribers, rotating through ambulance and general practitioner out-of-hours services, offered an opportunity to quantitatively compare medication supply. This study compares medication supply by three advanced paramedic practitioners using PGDs with three prescribing nurses in a Welsh general practitioner out-of-hours service. A cross-sectional design was employed to retrospectively review electronic patient clinical records between 1 December 2019 and 30 November 2020, including patients presenting with one of five generalised clinical conditions (urinary, soft tissue, respiratory, abdominal pain, ear). Descriptive analysis and non-parametric tests compared medications prescribed or supplied, how patients received medication and reasons for seeking prescriber support. A total of 397 patient records were analysed. Paramedics supplied medications more frequently with prescriber support (68.2%) than via PGD (27.9%). Nurses predominantly prescribed medication independently (99.3%). Medication provision was comparable when paramedics had prescriber support. Reasons for paramedic support-seeking included having no PGD available (34.1%) and PGD being excluded from use (28.4%). Advanced paramedic practitioner medication supply using PGDs and prescriber support was comparable to that of prescribing nurse colleagues. However, autonomy restrictions highlight the need for paramedic prescribing in services where prescriber availability is limited. Further research evaluating the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of PGD use versus IP is necessary. Additionally, the qualitative benefits of IP, such as improved patient care and satisfaction, warrant due consideration when implementing future healthcare strategies.

Approaches in care for people with variations of sex characteristics—focus groups in the European context on the strengths and challenges of multidisciplinary teams

Abstract Background New guidelines in the Consensus Statement on Management of Intersex Disorders by the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society/European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Consensus Group 2006 introduced multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) to provide care that involves collaboration between healthcare professionals, parents, and children with variations of sex characteristics (VSC). Aim The aim of this study was to examine a neglected but important field of collaboration among healthcare professionals and peer support groups who provide care for people with VSC. Outcomes The study outcome was the information obtained regarding the actual composition and collaboration of the multidisciplinary teams caring for children with VSC, including their collaboration with parents, peer support groups, and other care providers. Methods In this study we used an exploratory qualitative design based on mixed focus groups (in terms of professional background) and reflexive thematic analysis. Semi-structured focus group interview guides were used to obtain information about the participants’ viewpoints on the composition and challenges of, and collaboration between, peer support groups and members of multidisciplinary teams working to care for children with VSC and their parents. Seven focus groups were conducted with healthcare professionals and peer support groups in care teams in Central, Northern, and Western Europe. The data from the focus groups were examined using reflexive thematic analysis. Results The participants in the focus groups provided information regarding the use of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary child- and family-oriented approaches and the strengths and challenges of collaboration and peer support groups. The results showed that the teams used a predominantly multidisciplinary approach and suffered from a lack of psychosocial providers, poor collaboration with peer support groups, and poor implementation of shared decision-making to address the clinical uncertainty of parents and people with VSC. Clinical Implications Clinicians should provide more psychosocial support and improve collaboration with peer support groups and nonmedical professionals. Strengths and Limitations This study is one of the first qualitative studies to provide information on the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams working to provide care for children with VSC and collaborate with their parents in the European context. However, due to language barriers, the dropout rate of participants, and the under-representation of peer support groups in the sample there was a lack of information on collaboration among healthcare professionals and peer support groups. Conclusions The collaboration between MDTs and parents does not involve adequate psychosocial and peer support or shared decision-making to address the uncertainty experienced by children and families when faced with information about variations of sex characteristics.

Clinical reasoning—the essentials for teaching medical students, trainees and non-medical healthcare professionals

Clinical reasoning is fundamental for effective clinical practice. Traditional consultation models for teaching clinical reasoning or conventional approaches for teaching students how to make a diagnosis or management plan that rely on learning through observation only, are increasingly recognised as insufficient. There are also many challenges to supporting learners in developing clinical reasoning over time as well as across different clinical presentations and contexts. These challenges are compounded by the differences in how experts and novices make sense of clinical information, and the different cognitive processes each use when processing and communicating this information using precise medical language. Diagnostic errors may be due to cognitive biases but also, in a majority of cases, due to a lack of clinical knowledge. Therefore, effective educational strategies to develop clinical reasoning include identifying learners’ knowledge gaps, using worked examples to prevent cognitive overload, promoting the use of key features and practising the construction of accurate problem representations. Deliberate reflection on diagnostic justification is also recommended, and overall, contributes to a growing number of evidence-based and theory-driven educational interventions for reducing diagnostic errors and improving patient care.

Knowledge of female genital cutting among health and social care professionals in Francophone Belgium: A cross-sectional survey.

The provision of optimal, equitable and gender-sensitive health-care to women and girls with FGM/C is challenging. Research indicates that health-professionals in receiving countries lack knowledge, confidence and competence in managing FGM/C. In order to develop policies that are suitable to the wide heterogeneity of women from FGM/C practising groups, it is paramount to identify what appropriate care might consist of and what are the knowledge gaps of health and social-care providers. The study-objective was to gain an understanding of the knowledge and practices of professionals working in the area of health in Francophone Belgium where no previous KAP has been done. An anonymous questionnaire with 24 questions was developed targeting healthcare and social-care professionals. The questionnaire was distributed between 6 May and 30 August 2021 via professional organisations for midwifery, social work, GPs, infectious disease specialists, paediatricians and gynaecologists. The results are presented as frequencies, differences in proportions between groups were tested with Pearson's Chi-square, when applicable. Correlations were tested by the Pearson correlation coefficient. The threshold of statistical significance is 5%. Four-hundred-and-sixty individuals filled in the questionnaire of which 42% were medical-doctors, 6% nurses, 27% midwives and 25% non-medical professionals (social-workers and psychologists). 55% of non-medical professionals had provided support for women with FGM/C. Almost 40% of health-professionals knew that there were 4 types of FGM and were able to correctly describe them, 15% were unable to correctly describe any of the 4 types. Those who had already provided care for women with FGM/C were more numerous to know that there were 4 types (52%). Two health-professionals had received requests to perform FGM/C. Twenty-seven midwives and medical-doctors had received requests for re-infibulation. Growing numbers of health and social-care professionals are providing care for women with FGM/C. However, knowledge of FGM/C is suboptimal. Continuous professional training is crucial.

(109) AS SEEN ON TIKTOK: PERCEPTIONS AND UNDERSTANDINGS OF HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Abstract Introduction Contraception plays an integral role in many women’s lives and is essential for family planning and treatment of myriad health conditions. Between 2017-2019, approximately 65% of women aged 15 to 49 in the United States were actively using a form of birth control. Social media has a significant influence over the contraceptive choices of many reproductive-aged women. TikTok, a platform established in 2017, is one of the fastest growing worldwide social media applications. In 2018, it was recognized in top charts as “Most Downloaded”, and by 2023, approximately 150 million Americans became active users. Beyond its entertainment value, TikTok serves as a communication platform to nearly 5 million businesses, and the healthcare sector is no exception. Objective This study assessed the attitudes and information users share about hormonal contraceptives (HC) on TikTok, to elucidate the type of information women are receiving. Additionally, the potential for healthcare providers to use this platform as a means to educate and reach millions of patients was explored. Methods Apify, a free data-scraping tool, was used to automatically extract and compile 593 TikTok videos. Frequently searched hashtags, such as #birthcontrol, #hormonalcontraceptive, and #pregnancyprevention, were utilized to identify videos. Inclusion criteria included videos from US-based content creators and videos with English audio or text. The number of views and shares, length of video, and location of content creator for each TikTok were populated by the online application and imported onto RedCap for data collection. Demographic data such as gender and what type of content creator was providing the information, along with topics being portrayed and characteristics of each video, were also collected on RedCap. Results 150 TikTok videos met our inclusion criteria. The average length of each TikTok was 47.08 seconds. The average number of views and shares were 4,623,942 and 9,952, respectively. The predominant HCs discussed were intrauterine devices (IUDs), depo-provera injections, and contraceptive implants. Prevalent themes included negative personal anecdotes, general health information, and side effects. Additionally, the most common characteristics of the Tiktoks were humor and education. Most of the content creators were female (91%), and non-medical professionals (62%). Of the videos created by medical professionals, 25% were created by physicians, 26% by nurse practitioners, followed by nurse midwives (19%), physician assistants (14%), and registered nurses (5%). Conclusions Through short and engaging videos, TikTok has the ability to reach a wide and diverse audience. Oftentimes, users create TikToks that reveal their concerns, frustrating encounters, and how side effects impact their lives. Further studies may include determining how personal experiences of HC influence TikTok users’ acceptability, adherence, and attitudes. Given its reach, medical professionals should consider using the platform to engage with patients and provide evidence based education regarding HC. Disclosure No.

All Hands on Deck. Transforming the Health System Requires Innovation, Through Individual- and Diffusion Efforts Comment on "Employee-Driven Innovation in Health Organizations: Insights From a Scoping Review".

Employee driven innovation (EDI) is essential in transforming hospitals and other providers, but the challenge is also to have impact on health systems as a whole. Usually a mix from top down measures and bottom up initiatives leads to an innovative culture. An important aspect is the innate difference between types of providers related to initiating, facilitating and rewarding innovation. Second the rewarding system within organisations but also in science and scientific journals. Especially nursing and other non-medical professions can be emancipated in this regard. Further there is a growing interdependence with digitalisation in all its forms and awareness of the related team effort is needed to actually realise innovative projects within a standing organisation. Lastly change the paradigm related to the spread of innovations from "not invented here" to "proudly copied from," create trust and organize collaboration between providers and spend sufficient attention to credible evidence on the effectiveness.

Intranasal Delivery of Medications for the Treatment of Neurologic Conditions: A Pharmacology Update.

INTRODUCTION: Nurses have a central role in educating patients and families about treatment options and how to integrate them into action plans for neurologic conditions. In recent years, a growing number of intranasal formulations have become available as rescue therapy for neurologic conditions or symptoms including migraine, opioid overdose, and seizures. Rescue therapies do not replace maintenance medications or emergency care but are designed to enable rapid treatment of urgent or disabling conditions in community settings. Yet, discussion of rescue therapies for neurologic conditions remains limited in nursing literature. CONTENT: Intranasal formulations are specifically formulated for delivery and absorption in the nose and have several characteristics that are well suited as rescue therapies for neurologic conditions. Intranasal formulations include triptans for migraine, naloxone and nalmefene for opioid overdose, and benzodiazepines for seizure clusters in patients with epilepsy. Therapeutic attributes discussed here include ease of use in community settings by nonmedical professionals, relatively rapid onset of action, and favorable safety profile and patient experience. This information is critical for nurses to make informed decisions about rescue therapy options, incorporate these into plans of care, and educate patients, care partners, and other healthcare providers. CONCLUSION: Rescue therapies are increasingly important in the care of people with neurologic conditions. Various formulations are available and continue to evolve, offering easy and quick ways for nurses, patients, and nonmedical care partners to administer critical rescue medications. For nurses overseeing medication management, the attributes of intranasal rescue therapies should be considered in the context of providing patients with the right care at the right time.

Is YouTube a Reliable Online Platform for Scoliosis Exercises?: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: YouTube is an important platform for sharing information. There is no study that evaluates scoliosis exercise videos on YouTube as technical and content yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and reliability of scoliosis exercises videos on YouTube. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. To access the videos about scoliosis exercise, an online search on Youtube was performed using the term‘’scoliosis exercise’’on the 5th of April,2022. The popularity of videos was assessed with Video Power Index (VPI),the technical and educational quality, and the reliability of videos were measured using the Global Quality Scale(GQS),the Journal of American Medical Association(JAMA) benchmark criteria, and modified DISCERN instrument. Results: Fifty-three exercise videos were included in the study. Twenty-seven videos(50.9%) included general spinal stretching and strengthening exercises, six(11.3%) included Schroth therapy, twelve(22.6%) were yoga exercises, and eight(15.1%) were pilates exercises. When the videos were divided into two groups according to uploaders as medical(n=24) and non-medical professionals(n=29),no significant difference was determined between both groups in terms of the number of likes/dislikes, total/daily views, VPI, and GQS scores(p&gt; 0.05). On the other hand, the JAMA and modified DISCERN instrument scores were found significantly higher in medical professionals (p=0.011,and 0.022, respectively). Also, a significant difference was found in terms of uploader profile(p=0.021), the modified DISCERN(p&lt;0.001),and JAMA scores(p&lt;0.001) between three educational quality levels. Conclusion: The YouTube videos on scoliosis exercises had poor quality.High-quality and reliable videos were mainly sourced from medical professionals.Additionally, the technical characteristics of the videos have not related to the reliability and quality of them.

The role of self-examination in the early diagnosis of breast cancer: routine or real opportunities?

Approximately 90% of breast tumors are detected by women themselves, but about 50% of them already have significant sizes and metastases in the lymph nodes at the time of detection. Breast self-examination is an effective means of detecting cancer in its early stages, especially among women who regularly perform it. The objective: to determine the level of awareness of Ukrainian women about the role of breast self-examination in the early diagnosis of breast cancer.Materials and methods. In order to realize the set goal, a voluntary internet survey of 508 women aged 18 to 65 was conducted in the period from December 20, 2022 to April 20, 2023, based on a previously prepared questionnaire. The previously compiled questionnaire contained 27 questions, which are divided into 6 sections.The surveyed women are divided into two groups by profession:I group – 206 women with medical education;II group – 302 women without medical education.During the survey female respondents independently made a decision to refuse to answer certain questions, which was later taken into account during the statistical processing of the obtained results.Results. During the survey, almost all the women of the studied groups stated that they were aware of the high incidence of breast cancer among Ukrainian women, the extreme difficulty of treatment and the fatal consequences of its late diagnosis. However, 132 (64.08%) female respondents of the 1st group and 243 (80.46%) female respondents of the 2nd group were confident in the impossibility of contracting breast cancer (p&lt;0.05). Thus, women who voluntarily participated in the survey are from the category of the most active and informed, but with unfounded confidence in their absolute safety regarding breast cancer.Conclusions. As the research shows, the vast majority of women consider themselves to be sufficiently informed about breast cancer, however, existing unfounded confidence in the impossibility of getting the disease reduces their cancer bias, which is significantly higher among women of non-medical professions. Social networks and the Internet remain the main source of information about breast cancer and methods of self-monitoring of the condition of the mammary glands. The majority of women are aware of the presence of risk factors for precancerous diseases and breast cancer, however, most of them have delayed the debut of self-examination of the mammary glands, perform it irregularly and do not follow the rules of its conduct, which significantly reduces its diagnostic and prognostic value. Trusted family doctors do not conduct an annual clinical examination of the mammary glands during scheduled visits of women, which significantly reduces the effectiveness of screening programs in women of all age groups. From our point of view, self-examination, as part of breast cancer screening, does not play a leading role in the diagnosis of this disease, but instills in women an urgent need to constantly worry about their health.

Comparison of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Le Chat with physician interpretations of medical laboratory questions from an online health forum.

Laboratory medical reports are often not intuitively comprehensible to non-medical professionals. Given their recent advancements, easier accessibility and remarkable performance on medical licensing exams, patients are therefore likely to turn to artificial intelligence-based chatbots to understand their laboratory results. However, empirical studies assessing the efficacy of these chatbots in responding to real-life patient queries regarding laboratory medicine are scarce. Thus, this investigation included 100 patient inquiries from an online health forum, specifically addressing Complete Blood Count interpretation. The aim was to evaluate the proficiency of three artificial intelligence-based chatbots (ChatGPT, Gemini and Le Chat) against the online responses from certified physicians. The findings revealed that the chatbots' interpretationsof laboratory results were inferior to those from online medical professionals. While the chatbots exhibited a higher degree of empathetic communication, they frequently produced erroneous or overly generalized responses to complex patient questions. The appropriateness of chatbot responses ranged from 51 to 64 %, with 22 to 33 % of responses overestimating patient conditions. A notable positive aspect was the chatbots' consistent inclusion of disclaimers regarding its non-medical nature and recommendations to seek professional medical advice. The chatbots' interpretations of laboratory results from real patient queries highlight a dangerous dichotomy- a perceived trustworthiness potentially obscuring factual inaccuracies. Given the growing inclination towards self-diagnosis using AI platforms, further research and improvement of these chatbots is imperative to increase patients' awareness and avoid future burdens on the healthcare system.

Optometrist-delivered selective laser trabeculoplasty in the HES – a training protocol and early service evaluation

Over the last decade, the delivery of glaucoma care in the UK has changed dramatically, with more non-medical ophthalmic practitioners involved in the care of glaucoma patients. Optometrists and other non-medical professionals are now involved in the delivery of laser treatments in the Hospital Eye Service (HES), but there is currently no standardised national training framework for non-medical clinicians. Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL’s Institute of Ophthalmology have developed and delivered an education and training programme for the delivery of lasers, including Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) by non-medical ophthalmic practitioners. The training programme is based on medical education principles, is informed by previous qualitative research into the role of ophthalmic practitioners in the delivery of laser treatments and is expected to have multidisciplinary benefits for ophthalmic healthcare. Clinical audit data indicate that optometrists can deliver safe SLT treatments, adhering to local protocols.