Number Of Healthcare Professionals Research Articles

HELLO: a protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial to enhance interpersonal relationships and team cohesion among ICU healthcare professionals

BackgroundMental health symptoms among healthcare professionals (HCP) in intensive care units (ICUs) are a significant concern affecting both HCP well-being and patient care outcomes. Cross-sectional studies among members of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) report up to 50% burnout rates. Determinants of burnout include communication, team cohesion, psychological support, and well-being promotion. We designed the 'Hello Bundle' intervention to mitigate burnout among ICU-HCPs by fostering positive social interactions and a supportive work environment. This justification synthesizes evidence from social psychology, positive psychology, and healthcare communication research to support the intervention. The 'Hello Bundle' aims to enhance interpersonal relationships, improve team cohesion, and reduce burnout rates. The six components include: Hello campaign posters, email reminders, integrating greetings in morning huddles, hello jars, lead-by-example initiatives, and a daily updated hello board in each ICU. This protocol describes a cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.MethodsThis protocol describes a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted among ESICM-affiliated ICUs, consisting of at least 73 clusters with in average of 50 respondents per cluster, totaling approximately 7300 participants. Intervention clusters will implement the 6-component Hello Bundle between October 14 and November 10, 2024, while control clusters will be wait-listed to receive the intervention in January 2025 after the RCT concludes. Clusters will be matched based on ICU size (fewer or more than 20 beds), region, and average 2023 mortality. The primary outcome is the proportion of HCPs with burnout between intervention and control clusters at the end of the intervention. Secondary outcomes include comparing the following between clusters: (1) number of HCPs with high emotional exhaustion; (2) number with high depersonalization; (3) number with loss of accomplishment; (4) perception of ethical climate (5) satisfaction at work (VAS); (6) professional conflicts; (7) intention to leave the ICU (VAS); (8) patient-centered care rating; (9) family-centered care rating. The last secondary outcome is the comparison of burnout rates before and after the intervention in the intervention cluster. Outcomes will be based on HCP reports collected within four weeks before and after the intervention.DiscussionThis is the first large trial of healthcare communication, social, and positive psychology intervention among ICU-HCPs. It holds the potential to provide valuable insights into effective strategies for addressing burnout in ICU settings, ultimately benefiting both HCPs and patients.Trial registration: This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.Gov on June 18, 2024. Registration: NCT06453616.

Patient and carer perceptions of video, telephone and in-person clinics for Phenylketonuria (PKU)

BackgroundIn phenylketonuria (PKU), attending multidisciplinary clinic reviews is an important aspect of life-long care. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, video and telephone clinics are used as alternative methods for people with PKU to have contact with their care team. There is limited research concerning patient preference, experience and perceptions of alternative types of clinic review. Individuals from the UK with PKU and their caregivers were invited to complete an online questionnaire, hosted on the National Society for PKU (NSPKU) website and social media platform.ResultsData was available from 203 respondents. Forty one per cent of respondents (n = 49/119) preferred in-person clinics; 41% (n = 49) a hybrid of in-person, video and telephone clinics; 9% (n = 11) video clinics only, 6% (n = 7) telephone only and 3% (n = 3) were unsure. The main respondent obstacles to in-person clinics were costs, travel and time, but this was balanced by the benefits of a physical examination and better patient engagement/motivation. Twenty one per cent (n = 36/169) of respondents were uncomfortable with the number of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in a clinic room. Patients were less likely to consult with a doctor on video (64%, n = 91/143) or phone (50%, n = 59/119) reviews compared to in-person (80%, n = 146/183). Issues with video and telephone reviews included the shorter time length of review, distractions, technical issues and poor patient engagement.ConclusionsOnline video and telephone clinic platforms were effective in overcoming the challenging circumstances in management, monitoring and treatment of patients with PKU during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in-person clinics remain the preferred respondent option. It is important that HCPs are flexible, enabling people with PKU a choice of clinic options according to their individual clinical need and circumstances.

Survey and analysis on the resource situation of primary health care institutions in rural China.

China's rural population is immense, and to ensure the well-being of rural residents through healthcare services, it is essential to analyze the resources of rural grassroots healthcare institutions in China. The objective is to examine the discrepancies and deficiencies in resources between rural grassroots healthcare institutions and the national average, providing a basis for future improvements and supplementation of rural healthcare resources. The study analyzed data from 2020 to 2022 on the number of healthcare establishments, the capacity of hospital beds, the number of healthcare professionals, and the number of physicians in both rural and national settings. Additionally, it examined the medical service conditions and ratios of township health centers in rural areas to assess the resource gap between rural areas and the national average. Healthcare establishments: On average, there were 2.2 fewer healthcare institutions per 10,000 persons in rural areas compared to the national average over three years. Hospital beds: On average, there were approximately 36 fewer hospital beds per 10,000 persons in rural areas compared to the national average over three years. Healthcare professionals and physicians: On average, there were about 48 fewer healthcare technical personnel and 10 fewer practicing (including assistant) physicians per 10,000 persons in rural areas compared to the national average over three years. Compared to the national average, there are significant discrepancies and deficiencies in grassroots healthcare resources in rural China. This underscores the necessity of increasing funding to progressively enhance the number of healthcare institutions in rural areas, expand the number of healthcare personnel, and elevate medical standards to better align with national benchmarks. Improving rural healthcare resources will strategically equip these institutions to cater to rural communities and effectively handle public health emergencies. Ensuring that the rural population in China has equal access to healthcare services as the rest of the country is crucial for promoting the well-being of rural residents and achieving health equity.

Diagnostic error during antenatal care visit in selected health facilities of Ethiopia: a survey

Diagnostic error in antenatal care is a critical concern within the broader challenge of diagnostic errors in healthcare. Antenatal care plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of both the mother and the developing fetus during pregnancy. As a result, missed or delayed antenatal care visits or diagnosis errors of maternity complications affect both the mother and the baby. Diagnostic errors in this context refer to mistakes or inaccuracies in identifying and interpreting medical conditions, risks, or abnormalities related to the pregnancy. Several factors contribute to diagnostic errors in antenatal care, and understanding these challenges is essential for improving the overall quality of maternal and fetal healthcare. Delivering an improved approach to underrating diagnostic error requires the combined usage of non-technological and technological solutions. Identifying the factors contributing to diagnostic errors among healthcare professionals can lead to targeted interventions, training programs, and system level changes to prevent or minimize such errors. In this study, the prevalence of DE among health care professionals, pregnant women, and their relatives, and the frequency of occurrence of DE among health workers in selected health facilities in Ethiopia has been assessed. The data was collected using a questionnaire. The assessment results show that the major causes of diagnostic errors (mainly incorrect diagnosis) are identified as loss of patient records (36.4%), lack of proper laboratory (22.7%), and an insufficient number of health care professionals (13.6%). The leading effects of diagnostic error recognized are disease aggravation (58.3%) and permanent disability (25.0%). The research shows that providing an accurate diagnosis is crucial for avoiding risky obstetric outcomes and, as a result, reducing morbidity and mortality due to complications of pregnancy.

Virtual training for small group facilitators.

In addition to providing patient care, interprofessional health care teams work collaboratively on a variety of projects. These projects often benefit from using facilitated small group project discussion sessions, such as the Harvard Macy Institute's (HMI) Step Back Process (SBP). Although having a trained facilitator is an important component of the SBP, only a limited number of health care professionals can attend HMI courses in person or virtually, limiting its impact. We developed three video-based education (VBE) modules to deliver facilitator training on the SBP, informed by principles of Mayer's cognitive theory of multimedia learning. For module development, we used a five-step approach. We evaluated effectiveness of the modules as a self-directed method to enhance SBP facilitator training. An initial survey collected demographic data and module feedback, a follow-up survey collected feedback on the modules' impact on facilitation and interviews focused on the participants' overall experience. Survey results indicated that the modules were positively received and helped to improve participant confidence in facilitating. We identified four themes from the interviews: challenges of facilitating, value of group feedback, value of modules for experienced facilitators and the modules as part of a multi-modal approach to train new facilitators. This innovation provides insight on delivering facilitator training on the SBP using VBE. Health professions educators developing online facilitator training could adapt our development process and modify implementation guided by our results. Future work should evaluate the best methods to integrate VBE modules into a longitudinal virtual community and assess facilitation techniques.

Psychological Status of Healthcare Professionals of Bangladesh during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The wellbeing of Healthcare professionals (HPs) across the world had been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous researches on other similar infectious diseases consistently showed that many HPs reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, both during and after the outbreak, causing a severe impact on their coping abilities, in some cases with long-lasting effects. Objectives: The present study was designed to find out the impact on mental health of the HPs in Bangladesh during COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: This survey-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Combined Military Hospital, Bogura, a tertiary hospital in Bangladesh. The study was conducted during 15-20 August, 2020, including 303 HPs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thestudy incorporated the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-2) and generalized health questionnaire (GAD-2), validated for screening of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) respectively. Results: Among the respondents, majority were males (201, 66.34%), between 20-29 years of age (127, 41.92%), married (244, 80.53%), fertile (205, 67.66%) and health assistants (151, 49.83%). Some 137(45.21%) respondents were involved directly to treat diagnosed cases of COVID-19 and 20(06.60%) had been suffering from insomnia. A total of 73(24.09%) HPs remained in anxiety every time that their family members may be affected by COVID-19 through them. The MDD was found in 77(25.41%) respondents and GAD in 42(13.86%). The MDD was found more (25.40% versus 23.53%) in the HPs who were staying without family, butGAD (21.57% versus 12.30%) and Anxiety to infect family members through them was remarkably higher (49.10% versus 19.05%) in the HPs who stayed with family. Conclusion: The present survey showed that a remarkable number of HPs experienced anxiety and depression due to prevailing COVID-19 pandemic Journal of Monno Medical College, June 2023; 9 (1): 15-19

Optimal staffing for a good quality inpatient diabetes service.

Increasing numbers of people admitted to hospital have diabetes and need specialist support. To date, there is no mechanism which can help teams estimate the number of health care professionals they need to provide optimal care for people with diabetes in hospitals. The Joint British Diabetes Societies (JBDS) for Inpatient Care Group organised a survey of specialist inpatient diabetes teams in the UK for current staffing and the perception of optimal staffing using mailing lists available through their representative organisations. The results were verified and confirmed by one-to-one conversations with individual respondents and discussed in multiple expert-group meetings to agree on the results. Responses were received from 17 Trusts covering 30 hospital sites. Current diabetes specialist staffing level per 100 people with diabetes in hospital (Median, IQR) for consultants was 0.24 (0.22-0.37), diabetes inpatient specialist nurses was 1.94 (1.22-2.6), dieticians was 0.00 (0.00-0.00), podiatrists was 0.19 (0.00-0.62), pharmacists was 0.00 (0.00-0.37), psychologists was 0.00 (0.00-0.00). The teams also reported that for optimal care the total staff needed for each group (Median, IQR) was much higher; consultants 0.65 (0.50-0.88), specialist nurses 3.38 (2.78-4.59), dieticians 0.48 (0.33-0.72), podiatrists, 0.93 (0.65-1.24), pharmacists, 0.65 (0.40-0.79) and psychologists 0.33 (0.27-0.58). Based on the results of the survey, the JBDS expert group produced an Excel calculator to estimate staffing needs of any hospital site in question just by populating a few of the cells. Current inpatient diabetes staffing is much lower than needed in most Trusts who responded to the survey. The JBDS calculator can provide an estimate of the staffing needs of any hospital.

A Systematic Review of Healthcare Professionals' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting in Ethiopia.

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a prominent cause of morbidity and mortality and higher healthcare expenditures. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a crucial role in ADR reporting through spontaneous reporting systems, but under-reporting is their major limitation. The goal of this study is to evaluate HCPs' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding ADR reporting as well as the factors that influence reporting using research papers that are currently available. A literature search was conducted using sources such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to find studies that evaluated HCPs' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ADRs reporting in Ethiopia. A standard procedure of systematic review protocol was used to conduct this review. Demographic factors, sample size, response rate, survey delivery, HCP working setting, and encouraging and discouraging factors of ADR reporting were extracted from articles. A total of 17 articles were included in the systematic review out of 384. The number of HCPs in the included studies ranged from 62 to 708. Response rate ranges from 76.1% to 100%. Most of the research included in this evaluation looked at HCPs, who worked in hospitals. When pharmacists were compared to other HCPs, they were more likely to report ADRs; because they had higher knowledge, attitude, and practice. Lack of understanding, unavailability of reporting forms, uncertainty about the causal relationship between the drug and ADR, and failure to report because the ADR was well known were among the common hurdles to ADR reporting identified in research. To improve reporting, educational initiatives and continued training in pharmacovigilance and ADRs are frequently recommended considerations. In Ethiopia, there is a pressing need to close the gap in HCP knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding PV and ADR reporting. To address this point, specific educational interventions based on existing gaps in ADR reporting should be developed and integrated into the health education curriculum or provided as in-service training after graduation.

Bir Üniversite Hastanesinin Sağlık Çalışanlarında COVID-19 Korkusu ve El Hijyeni Uygulamalarının Değerlendirilmesi

Objective: The research aimed to analyze healthcare professionals’ “levels of COVID-19 fear and hand hygiene practice” and “the correlation between COVID-19 fear and hand hygiene practices” in a university hospital.
 Methods: The population of this descriptive and correlational research comprised 150 professionals, that is, 50 doctors and 100 nurses working in various units at a university hospital. The number of healthcare professionals who voluntarily took part in the research was 97. The data were collected through the “Healthcare Professional Introduction Form, COVID-19 Fear Scale, and Hand Hygiene Practices Inventory”.
 Results: The female professionals’ mean COVID-19 fear level score and hand hygiene practice level score were higher than those of males (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference among the mean COVID-19 fear scores with reference to the education level (p < 0.05). Of the professionals, 96.9% had at least one problem after hand hygiene. It was determined that there was a very weak, positive, and significant correlation between the level of COVID-19 fear and that of hand hygiene performance (r= 0.224; p < 0.05).
 Conclusion: The research reveals that hand hygiene practices and the COVID-19 fear are affected by gender, as well as the fact that frequent handwashing and hand sanitizer use play a role in skin problems.

Ethical Issues of Artificial Intelligence in Diabetes Mellitus

Artificial intelligence (AI) has permeated various branches of clinical medicine, with promising applications in predictive, diagnostic and therapeutic areas. Digital innovations are increasingly useful in the management of non communicable diseases in the form of tracking applications, data collection systems (EMRs) and wearable sensors. Globally, diabetes mellitus is the most common and serious non communicable disease. There is a mismatch between the people with diabetes and the number of healthcare professionals needed to manage them. Therefore, artificial intelligence has the potential to play a significant role in addressing the unmet need. Majority of AI applications have been developed for the diabetes population. Ethical issues arising from the application can be carried over to its application in other areas of clinical medicine. Among diabetic population, artificial intelligence has been prominently employed in screening for diabetic retinopathy. Continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pumps are other areas of application. Data collection and sharing through AI media can ease the burden of poor doctor-patient ratio, and improve efficacy of treatment. Despite its advantages, and the fact that citizen juries have been found to be favourable towards the use of AI in research and treatment, certain drawbacks continue to exist. With the threat of data theft and breach of privacy, due diligence must be given to ethical and legal aspects to protect the patient. It is acknowledged that AI can facilitate the decision making process but not entirely replace a physician's role. With able governing laws, systems to protect safety, minimize bias and improve transparency, AI and precision medicine could help control the burden of disease.

953. Implementation Outcomes in an Antibiotic Stewardship Program (Kicking CAUTI) in Four Veterans Hospitals Correlated with Clinical Outcomes

Abstract Background One of the major barriers to scale up of antibiotic stewardship interventions is the difficulty of engaging already overtaxed personnel. As part of a multisite antibiotic stewardship project to decrease antibiotics treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria, we explored how to measure local implementation efforts, and what dose of the intervention was necessary to improve clinical outcomes. Methods The intervention was implemented in 4 different sites from February 2019 through May 2020. We chose 3 measures of implementation: the number of intervention delivery sessions (adoption), total number of health care professionals reached (penetration), and minutes spent in delivery of the intervention (adoption). Local site champions kept activity logs. Antibiotic prescriptions were included if ordered within one calendar day prior or two days after a urine culture was ordered on the same patient. Correlation between implementation measures and clinical outcomes (number of urine cultures ordered, days of antibiotic treatment (DOT), and length of antibiotic treatment (LOT)) was calculated using the mixed linear models method. Results Overall, the minutes spent in delivery ranged from 2567 minutes at the most engaged site to 679 in the least engaged site (Figure 1). The number of healthcare professionals reached ranged from 798 to 433, and the number of sessions delivered ranged from 240 to 45. Minutes spent in delivery was inversely correlated with two of our three clinical metrics, DOT (R -0.3, P=0.04) and LOT (R -0.3, P=0.02); minutes spent and urine cultures were not significantly correlated (Table 1). We did not find a significant relationship between the number of intervention delivery sessions or total number of health care professionals reached and any of the clinical outcomes. Figure 1Total Minutes Spent in Delivery of the Intervention Across Four Intervention Sites Table 1 Correlation Coefficients (with p-values) Comparing Implementation Outcomes with Clinical Outcomes (bolded results are statistically significant) Conclusion We found a significant inverse correlation between the number of minutes a local site champion spent delivering the antibiotic stewardship intervention and antibiotic use, both DOT and LOT. In other words, more time spent delivering the intervention locally was associated with a decrease in antibiotics ordered. Our implementation metric (adoption) is scalable and readily adaptable to large antibiotic stewardship dissemination projects. Disclosures Larissa Grigoryan, MD, PhD, Rebiotix Inc: Grant/Research Support Barbara Trautner, MD, PhD, Genetech: Advisor/Consultant.

Syrian Refugee Inflows, Health-Care Access, and Childhood Vaccination in Turkey

Abstract This study explores the impact of the arrival of Syrian refugees in Turkey on access to health-care resources and subsequent changes in infectious disease rates among native children. Employing a distance-based instrument, it finds that native children living in regions that received large inflows of Syrian refugees experienced an increase in their risk of catching an infectious disease compared to children in less affected regions. In contrast, there is no evidence of significant changes in the incidences of noninfectious diseases such as diabetes, cancer, or anemia. The findings also reveal that the number of health-care professionals and hospital beds per capita declined in provinces that received large refugee inflows. This study also documents a decrease in native children’s probability of being fully vaccinated in provinces that received large refugee inflows. Although contact with potentially infected refugees may increase disease spread among natives, the migration-induced supply constraints in health-care access may also worsen health outcomes in host countries.

Measurement of sound levels in a neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

High sound levels in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can alter preterm newborn hemodynamics and cause long-term neuro-developmental delays and hearing loss. The study aims to collate data on sound levels in a level IV NICU of a tertiary care hospital, identify the factors associated with them, and compare them with the international standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). We carried out a cross-sectional study in NICU from 8th April 2019 to 30th June 2019. Sound levels were recorded for 480h, using a portable sound meter, the Larson Davis 824. We captured sound levels on alternate days, during different shifts and shift changes and in open pods and single isolation rooms within the NICU. Additionally, we documented the total census, acuity of care, number of staff, number of procedures, and number of items of equipment used. The data was analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression. The average sound level (Leq) and the maximum level (Lmax) recorded were 60.66±2.99dBA and 80.19±2.63dBA, respectively, which exceeds international recommendations. The sound level gradually decreased from morning to night hours. The major increase in sound was observed during nursing shift change. Similarly, a significant increase in sound was observed in open bays compared to isolation rooms. However, no difference in sound levels was recorded during weekdays and weekends. The number of healthcare professionals and the number of procedures performed were strongly associated with an increased noise level. Sound levels in NICU were beyond the safety range and international recommendations. We observed a significant sound increment during morning hours and at the time of nursing shift change. High sound levels were associated with increased number of healthcare workers and bedside procedures in NICU.

Changes in the number of healthcare professionals in European healthcare systems between 2000 and 2018

Introduction: Ensuring the supply of healthcare professionals is an important health policy issue nowadays. Objective: The aim of our research is to provide a comprehensive picture of the health workforce situation in the European OECD countries. Data and methods: Indicators analyzed regarding the numbers of practising midwives, nurses, physiotherapists and total hospital beds were derived from the “OECD Health Statistics 2021” database for the period 2000–2018. 24 European OECD countries were grouped according to the type of healthcare system and geographical location. Data were subsequently compared by parametric and nonparametric tests, focusing especially on years 2000, 2010, 2018. Results: Between 2000 and 2018, there was a 14% increase in the average number of midwives, a 30% increase in the average number of nurses, and a 41% increase in the average number of physiotherapists per 100,000 population in the OECD countries examined. Per 100 hospital beds, the average number of midwives increased by 72%, the number of nurses by 86%, and the number of physiotherapists by 97%. Significant results for all three years analyzed were obtained in the number of physiotherapists per 100 hospital beds (p = 0.014; p<0.001; p = 0.002) when comparing the Western and Eastern European countries examined. As for the healthcare systems, significant results were obtained only in the number of nurses per 100 hospital beds for the year 2010 (p = 0.048). Conclusion: Among healthcare professional groups, the number of physiotherapists increased the most in Europe. The numbers of healthcare professionals per 100 beds are significantly higher in Western European countries analyzed compared to Eastern European countries.

A More Efficient, Accessible, and Team-Friendly PSH

Article| September 2022 A More Efficient, Accessible, and Team-Friendly PSH Christopher Steel, MD Christopher Steel, MD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar ASA Monitor September 2022, Vol. 86, 16. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ASM.0000874224.72186.4b Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Cite Icon Cite Get Permissions Search Site Citation Christopher Steel; A More Efficient, Accessible, and Team-Friendly PSH. ASA Monitor 2022; 86:16 doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ASM.0000874224.72186.4b Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll PublicationsASA Monitor Search Advanced Search Topics: accountable care organizations, asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome, consultation, health personnel, perioperative care, precision, steel, fee for service payment plan, value-based care, best practice In 2014, ASA began hosting the Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH) Learning Collaborative to develop, pilot, and evaluate the PSH model. Two additional Learning Collaboratives followed, leading to iterative improvements, more data on the model's success, additional proven pathways and protocols, and more. The dedicated innovators who participated in our learning collaboratives reduced readmissions and lengths of stay, aligned with bundled payment and ACOs, and decreased episode of care costs, to name a few of the many achievements participants realized. But these champions were just the tip of the spear, innovators who established proof of concept, scaled the model across services lines, then pointed the way for other adopters to follow. The Learning Collaboratives were wildly successful in moving the needle for health care organizations, but they also presented a high bar to entry – the number of health care professionals who had meaningful access to the protocols, lessons, and outcomes... You do not currently have access to this content.

Training 1,200 dietitians: An evaluation of a training course for non-specialist dietitians on the management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency

<h2>Summary</h2><h3>Background</h3> Concurrent with its evolution as medical and surgical sub-speciality, pancreatic disease is now recognised as a speciality within dietetics. Recent national guidelines have highlighted the importance of nutritional assessment and intervention in both pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis, but there is a lack of timely and appropriate nutritional support for many patients with pancreatic disease. <h3>Methods</h3> The Nutrition Interest Group of the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland developed a training course for non-specialist dietitians in 2014. Improvement in knowledge was assessed using questionnaires carried out before and after the training course, and results assessed against pre-agreed targets. Comprehensive evaluation of each aspect of the course was collated. <h3>Results</h3> Over four years, 1,215 dietitians attended the course in 32 different locations throughout the United Kingdom. Eight three percent completed knowledge questionnaires before and after the course. There was a significant improvement in test scores (22.2 ± 5.3 <i>vs</i>. 35.8 ± 4.0, <i>P</i><0.0001), with 94% of delegates achieving the target score for non-specialists. The course was well evaluated with 98% of all markers graded as ‘good' or ‘excellent'. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Targeted educational initiatives delivered outside of normal working hours are an effective means of training and educating a large number of health care professionals over a large geographical area within a short timeframe.

POS0380 EFFECTIVENESS OF REMOTE CARE INTERVENTIONS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW INFORMING THE 2022 EULAR POINTS TO CONSIDER FOR REMOTE CARE IN RHEUMATIC AND MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASES

BackgroundWhile the number of patients with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) is increasing worldwide, there is no adequate increment in the number of health care professionals, leading to the urgent need for new forms of care to take pressure from health care systems.1 2 Telehealth comprises a number of different types of interventions with the scope of performing certain steps of care, ranging from diagnostics to follow-up visits, in a remote manner. The use of remote care is heterogenous and guidance is needed to optimize the combination with conventional face-to-face (F2F) visits.ObjectivesTo perform a systematic literature review (SLR) on different outcomes of remote care compared to F2F care, its implementation into clinical practice and to identify drivers and barriers in order to inform a task force formulating the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) Points to Consider for remote care in RMDs.MethodsProspective, retrospective, and qualitative studies testing different types of remote care in patients with RMDs were included. Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched through February 28th, 2021. Two reviewers independently performed standardized data extraction, synthesis, and risk of bias assessment.ResultsA total of 2,240 references were identified. Forty-seven studies, consisting of 26 randomized controlled trials, 8 prospective cohort studies, 8 cross sectional studies, and 5 qualitative studies were included.Fifty-one percent of the studies involved patients with inflammatory RMDs, including rheumatoid arthritis, and spondyloarthritis, while 49% were on patients with non-inflammatory conditions, such as osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. Remote monitoring (n=35) was most frequently studied, with telephone/video calls being the most common mode of delivery (n=30). Thirty-four studies investigated outcomes of remote care in comparison to F2F care. The most frequently assessed outcomes concerned efficacy and user perception of remote care, with 34% and 21% of studies, respectively, reporting superior results for the remote care intervention.Time savings and flexibility were reported as major drivers, while inadequate technical knowledge and concerns in data security were the main barriers to implementing remote care. Implementation of remote care methods into clinical practice was not reported by the included studies. The main limitations were the heterogeneity of outcomes and interventions, and the substantial risk of bias (50% of studies with high risk of bias).ConclusionStudies on remote care reported similar to partially better results compared to F2F care concerning efficacy, and user perception outcomes, with the limitation of heterogeneity and considerable risk of bias.

The private healthcare setting as a place for educating nurses: A qualitative exploration

BackgroundUnderstanding the learning environment is necessary for the development and implementation of effective curricula, including that of nursing education. The nursing education context has been undergoing various shifts, specifically in response to the need to scale up the number of healthcare professionals. These shifts have resulted in various transitions both in terms of the site of learning, such as the private healthcare environment, as well as the nature of its programme offerings. ObjectiveTo explore nursing students’ perceptions of the private healthcare context as an environment for learning. MethodsA qualitative interpretative case study was undertaken to gain insight into a very specific learning environment. The population included bridging course nursing students undertaking their training at a private higher education institution (R683). Purposive sampling was used, and data were collected by means of focus group discussions. Data analysis was organised according to a three-tiered analytical ladder. ResultsThe findings point to two key issues: there was variability in how the students experienced the private healthcare setting as a place for learning, and this experience was influenced by a number of tensions within this environment. ConclusionCurriculum developers should explore ways of optimising these contextual variations into the curriculum so that students can maximise the benefits of these diverse learning experiences. Educators should nurture the skills of adaptability in students so that they learn to cope with the complexities of these environments. Furthermore, the students’ role in their own learning as well as co-constructing the learning environment should also be emphasised.

Simulation-Based Teaching of Telemedicine for Future Users of Teleconsultation and Tele-Expertise: Feasibility Study.

BackgroundHealth care professionals worldwide are increasingly using telemedicine in their daily clinical practice. However, there is still a lack of dedicated education and training even though it is needed to improve the quality of the diverse range of telemedicine activities. Simulation-based training may be a useful tool in telemedicine education and training delivery.ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of simulation-based telemedicine training.MethodsWe assessed five telemedicine training sessions conducted in a simulation laboratory. The training was focused on video teleconsultations between a patient and a health care professional. The assessment included the participants’ satisfaction and attitudes toward the training.ResultsWe included 29 participants in total. Participant satisfaction was high (mean score 4.9 of 5), and those that took part stated the high applicability of the simulation-based training to their telemedicine practices (mean score 4.6 of 5). They also stated that they intended to use telemedicine in the future (mean score 4.5 of 5).ConclusionsSimulation-based training of telemedicine dedicated to video teleconsultation was feasible and showed high satisfaction from participants. However, it remains difficult to scale for a high number of health care professionals.

Evaluating a Geriatric Educational Program: Exploring Opportunities for Increasing Impact and Scale

The geriatric population is rapidly growing, and this growth is beyond the pace of increase in the number of healthcare professionals who are qualified to care for and tend to the various needs of this significant subgroup of the population. The current university curricula have not been sufficient in terms of quantity as well as their ability to address the ageism inherent in the perspectives of students from across the educational spectrum. In recognition of the absence of standardized geriatric guidelines, medical associations across Canada and the United States have established geriatric learning competencies for medical programs. Nevertheless, there are exiting gaps regarding the development and evaluation of geriatric-focused didactic programs that adequately train and build competency among the students interested in pursuing careers with geriatric-specific elements. A university-wide program was developed to enhance aging education and build competency through sparking interest, providing better education related to aging, and building better relationships between future healthcare professionals and older adults. To evaluate the impact of this program, a logical framework was developed a-priori and revised through constant iterations and following discussion with the program’s multidisciplinary stakeholder group. Quantitative measures are being augmented with in-depth qualitative interviews to explore elements influencing students’ experiences with the program and the effect on their interests in and attitudes towards geriatrics. The results will inform our conclusions regarding program effectiveness in enhancing interest in geriatric-focused education among the students and trainees and assist with recommending future directions regarding impact and large-scale dissemination and implementation.