Patient Perceptions Research Articles

Physicians' perceptions of intensive care patients' 1-year prognoses compared to realistic prognoses.

It is unknown whether physicians treating critically ill patients have realistic perceptions of their patients' prognoses. We sent a survey by email to Finnish anesthesiologists to investigate their ability to estimate the probability of 1-year survival of intensive care unit (ICU) patients based on data available at the beginning of intensive care. We presented 12 fictional but real-life-based patient cases and asked the respondent to estimate the probability of 1-year survival in each case by choosing one of the alternatives 5%, 10%-90% in 10% intervals and 95%. We compared the physicians' estimates to registry data-based realistic prognoses of comparable patients treated in the ICU. Based on the difference between the estimate and the realistic prognosis, we categorized the estimates into three groups: (1) difference less than 10 percentage points, (2) difference between 10 and 20 percentage points, and (3) difference over 20 percentage points. We received 210 responses (totally 2520 estimates). Of the respondents, 43 (20.5%) were specialists working mainly in the ICU, 81 (38.6%) were specialists working occasionally in the ICU, 47 (22.4%) were specialists not working in the ICU, and 39 (18.6%) were doctors in training. The difference between the estimate and the realistic prognosis was less than 10 percentage points for 1083 (43.0%) estimates, between 10 and 20 percentage points for 645 (25.6%) estimates, and over 20 percentage points for 792 (31.4%) estimates, out of which 612 (24.3% of all estimates) underestimated and 180 (7.1%) overestimated the likelihood of survival. The median error (the median of the differences between the estimate and the realistic prognosis) for all estimates was -8.8 [interquartile range (IQR), -20.0 to -0.2], which means that the most typical response underestimated the likelihood of survival by 9 percentage points. Based on the 12 estimates, we calculated the median error for each respondent. The median (IQR) of these median errors was -8.6 (-12.6 to -5.0) for specialists working mainly in the ICU, -8.1 (-13.0 to -5.2) for specialists working occasionally in the ICU, -9.7 (-17.7 to -6.3) for specialists not working in the ICU, and -9.1 (-14.5 to -5.1) for doctors in training (p = .29). Finnish anesthesiologists commonly misestimate the long-term prognoses of ICU patients, more often underestimating than overestimating the likelihood of 1-year survival. More education about critically ill patients' prognoses and better prediction tools are needed.

(213) Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review Regarding Anxiety and Depression

Abstract Introduction Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) is a urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome with an unknown etiology and a variety of somatic and psychological symptoms, including elevated levels of anxiety and depression (Crawford, 2019). This often causes substantial impairment to quality of life: it is well known that unaddressed psychosocial elements of chronic pain can shape patient perceptions and behavior, and are associated with poorer functioning, adjustment, prognosis, and response to treatment (Piontek et al., 2022). Investigating the role of psychosocial factors in IC/BPS increase over the last years; however, prior to the last 5 years, there had been a scarcity of research on psychosocial factors compared to that in similar conditions (Windgassen et al., 2020). Objective Despite recommendations for the inclusion of non-pharmacological treatment in the management of IC/BPS, the focus so far has predominantly been on the inclusion of physical therapies with minimal discussion of psychological interventions. Therefore, this review aimed to examine the most recent studies regarding anxiety and depression in patients with IC/BPS, to stress the urgency of considering multidisciplinary care for individuals with this debilitating condition. Methods A literature search (PubMed and Google Scholar) of the past 5 years (January 2018 – March 2023) was conducted using key words related to IC/BPS, anxiety and depression, e.g., “(Interstitial cystitis OR Bladder pain syndrome) AND (Anxiety OR Depression OR Depressive disorder OR Psychology)”. The inclusion criteria were: to be empirical studies, to have been published within the last 5 years, to have included in the protocol measurements of anxiety and/or depression. A total of 28 studies were selected. Results There is a high rate of psychosocial comorbidities in IC/BPS; in particular, elevated levels of anxiety and depression, which are highly correlated with each other and with pain intensity. In addition, pain catastrophizing and helplessness seem to have a key role in the maintenance of the negative relationship between depression and pain over time in IC/BPS. Thus, there appears to be a complex interaction between psychopathologic and somatic symptoms. We assume that changes in mood and anxiety share a bidirectional relationship with IC/BPS pain severity: if pain increases, mood and anxiety likely worsen and, similarly, if mood and anxiety worsen it predicts an increased level of pain will follow. Conclusions IC/BPS is a complex condition that requires a management plan beyond the biomedical approach. Indeed, the psychological impact of IC/BPS is pervasive and severe. Our review supports the findings of previous studies that showed patients with this condition have a significantly higher risk of experiencing mental-emotional disorders compared to those without. These findings further strengthen the evidence base showing that anxiety and depression may not only be a consequence of this chronic pain condition but may also be involved in its maintenance. Our results suggest that it is crucial addressing anxiety and depression as early as possible in biopsychosocially oriented therapeutic interventions for patients with IC/BPS. Therefore, it is recommended that health care providers conduct a thorough assessment of this condition to identify therapeutic goals to pursue and possibly consider a multidisciplinary approach. Disclosure No.

Psychosocial Status and Self-Perception in Patients with Cleft Lip and/or Palate.

To describe how the psychosocial status of patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) relates to patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Cross-sectional retrospective chart review. Tertiary care pediatric hospital. Patients aged 8 to 29 years attending cleft team evaluations during a 1-year period. CLEFT-Q. Patients (N = 158) with isolated or syndromic CL/P and mean age 13.4 ± 3.0 years were included. Fifteen (9%) patients had siblings who also had CL/P. Of 104 patients who met with the team psychologist, psychosocial concerns were identified in 49 (47%) patients, including 25 (24%) with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or behavior concerns, 28 (27%) with anxiety, and 14 (13%) with depression or mood concerns. Younger age and having siblings with cleft were associated with better PROs, while psychosocial concerns were associated with worse PROs on Speech, Psychosocial, and Face Appearance scales. Patient perception of cleft outcomes is linked to psychosocial factors.

Cognitive impairment following sedative overdose

Introduction Patients with sedative overdose may have residual cognitive impairment at the time they are deemed medically cleared for discharge. Impairment could affect the performance of high-risk activities, including driving. The Trail Making Test is an alpha-numeric assessment that can be performed at the bedside to assess cognitive function. We examined whether there were differences in cognitive function when medically cleared between patients that overdosed on sedative and non-sedative drugs. Methods A prospective, observational study assessed cognitive function using the Trail Making Test between 2018 and 2021. Patients (16 years and greater) completed testing upon medical clearance if they spoke English and had no previous neurological injury. Continuous covariates were compared using t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests and multiple linear regression; binary variables were modelled using logistic regression. Results Of 171 patients enrolled, 111 (65 per cent) had sedative overdose; they were older (median 32.1 versus 22.2 years) and more likely to be male (58.6 per cent versus 36.7 per cent). Benzodiazepines and paracetamol were the commonest drug overdoses. Patients with sedative overdose performed worse on Trail Making Test part A (37.0 versus 33.1 seconds, P = 0.017) and Trail Making Test part B (112.4 versus 81.5 seconds, P = 0.004). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that patient age (P < 0.001, 1.7 seconds slower per year, 95 per cent confidence interval: 0.9–2.6 seconds) and perception of recovery (P = 0.006, 36.4 seconds slower if perceived not recovered, 95 per cent confidence interval: 10.8–62.0 seconds) were also associated with Trail Making Test part B times. Patients with sedative overdose were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (Odds Ratio: 4.9, 95 percent confidence interval: 1.1–22.0; P = 0.04). Discussion Our results are broadly in keeping with previously published work, but include a wider range of drug overdose scenarios (polypharmacy and recreational drugs). While patients demonstrated some perception of their cognitive impairment, our model could not reliably be used to provide individual discharge advice. The study design did not allow us to prove causation of cognitive impairment, or to make comparison between the strength of an overdose to the trail making test time. Conclusions Trail Making Test results suggested that patients who had sedative drug overdoses may have significant cognitive deficits even when medically cleared. Risk of harm may be minimised with advice to avoid high-risk activities such as driving. More profound impacts seen on the Trail Making Test part B than A may mean higher-order thinking is more affected than simple cognitive function.

Nursing students' empathic communication: Role in recognizing and treating chronic pain patients

ObjectiveA substantial body of research supports what many nurses know from experience: empathy is at the heart of providing quality care. The major objective of this study was to identify unique mechanisms through which higher empathy translates into greater intentions to treat patients in pain employing novel methodology. MethodsUsing an ecologically-valid scenario methodology, student nurses (N = 156) reviewed the narrative of a patient in chronic pain. They completed standard, valid measures of empathy toward the patient, perception of the patient's pain, and intention to provide pain-relieving treatment. Nursing student’s personality traits were assessed and perception of patients’ age and sex were experimentally manipulated. ResultsEmpathy was associated with higher intention to treat the patient in chronic pain irrespective of patients’ age or sex. A moderated-mediation analysis confirmed that nursing students with higher empathy perceived the patient in the scenario as being in greater pain. This was correspondingly associated with higher intention to provide treatment. Nursing students’ trait Extraversion was a moderator. ConclusionEmpathy not only improves rapport between patients and providers but is related to intentions to provide pain-relieving treatment. Practice implicationsThe clinical and educational importance of empathy in patient-provider relationships are discussed.

A qualitative exploration of patients’ perception regarding the comprehensive dental services availed at a primary health center

Introduction Comprehensive oral care is a service centered around the patient, and individuals who need it the most often face limited access. Patient perception acts as a guide for enhancing quality, ensuring patients’ future intent to utilize the services and facilitating recommendations to others. The present study aimed to assess the patients’ perception of comprehensive dental services availed at a Primary Health Center (PHC). Methods This qualitative study was based on a phenomenological interpretive approach, and judgment sampling method was employed. A validated interview guide, developed from relevant literature was employed in the local language to conduct interviews among adults visiting the PHC, gathering their views regarding the services provided. The interviews were audio recorded on a digital voice recorder, and files were password protected. Content saturation guided the determination of the final number of participants interviewed. After translating and transcribing the interviews, thematic analysis and coding were performed using ATLAS. ti 23 for Windows. Results A total of 12 participants were included in the study, following data saturation. Among them, there were 8(66.7%) female and 4(33.3%) male participants. Ten overarching main themes were discerned through the assigned codes, including positive views, neutral views, negative views, previous dental clinics visited, previous experience with dental treatment, treatments sought at the center, referrals, source of information about the dental center, subsequent visits and suggestions for improvement. Conclusions The findings of this study revealed a positive patient perception of the comprehensive dental services offered at the PHC. Through insightful interviews, various strengths, and areas for improvement regarding the center and care provision were identified. These insights provide valuable suggestions that can be applied to elevate the utilization of dental services, ensuring continuous improvement in patient care.

Patient Perception of Social Media Use by Orthopaedic Surgeons: A Pilot Study.

Social media (SM) use by orthopaedic surgeons is becoming increasingly common; nonetheless, it needs to be clarified how patients perceive the content posted by physicians. To characterize SM content posted by orthopaedic surgeons while investigating patient perceptions of this content and how it may influence their health care decisions. Cross-sectional study. Posts on SM outlets by orthopaedic surgeons were reviewed and categorized. A survey to assess patient perception of these categories was administered between December 2021 and February 2022 in the clinics of 3 orthopaedic surgeons. Survey results were analyzed for differences in patient SM use and perception of SM content types. There were 250 completed surveys. SM use was high among all age groups; however, the 18 to 24 years (87.1%) and 25 to 34 years (86.4%) age groups were more likely than older age groups to report daily use (P = .002). Overall, 17% of patients reported using SM to see information about their health care at least once per month, 21% reported reviewing the SM account of a physician at least once per month, 19% reported that they were likely or very likely to view the SM account of their physician, and 23% reported that SM content was likely or very likely to influence which physician they see. Patients held the most consistently positive view of posts that educated patients, discussed sports team coverage, and provided patient testimonials. Patients had consistently neutral views of posts educating colleagues, discussing presentations at national meetings, displaying aspects of surgeons' personal lives, and supporting marginalized groups. Several post categories elicited highly polarized responses-including those discussing research publications and showing surgical techniques or pictures/videos taken during surgery. Respondents had a consistently negative response to posts making political statements. SM is likely a useful tool to help physicians interact with patients. Physicians who wish to interact with patients should consider posting content viewed most positively-including posts educating patients, discussing sports team coverage, and providing patient testimonials. Content that is viewed less favorably should be posted sparingly or with a sensitive tag.

Patient Perceptions on Telepsychiatry as an In-Consult Alternative During COVID-19 Pandemic: Peruvian Adaptation of the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire.

Objective: To identify the perceptions of the patients who received alternative care by telepsychiatry at the Cayetano Heredia Hospital (HCH). Methods: This research consisted of two phases: (1) transcultural adaptation of the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) with three experts and (2) application of the questionnaire in 183 patients from psychiatry in HCH. Nonparametric tests were used to determine the association between variables. Results: We applied 20 questions to 60 men and 123 women, with a median age of 45. The ease of using the virtual consultation service, the comfort with its use, and the general satisfaction had a score of 6 out of 7 and are associated with the number of devices that patients have and their degree of education. The usefulness, communication by virtual means, and the solution of technical problems had scores higher than 6, being considered acceptable by the patients. Willingness to have a teleconsultation again was high and was associated with patient satisfaction with the consultation. Conclusions: Most patients were satisfied with telepsychiatry via telemonitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic. The usage of validated tools such as TUQ might be included as part of evaluations of new telemedicine services.

Are Saudi Arabian Patients Willing to Be Deprescribed Their Medications? An Exploratory Study.

Deprescribing is a complex process that requires active patient involvement, so the patient's attitude to deprescribing is crucial to its success. This study aimed to assess predictors of Saudi Arabian patients' willingness to deprescribe. In this cross-sectional study, adult patients from two hospitals in Riyadh completed a self-administered questionnaire gathering data on demographic information and the Arabic revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questions. Descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the data. A total of 242 patients were included (mean age 59.8 (SD 11.05) years, range 25-87 years; 40% 60-69 years; 54.1% female). The majority (90%) of participants were willing to have medications deprescribed. Willingness to deprescribe was significantly associated with the rPATD involvement factor (OR=1.866, 95% CI 1.177-2.958, p=0.008) and the patient's perception of their health status (OR=2.08, CI=1.058-4.119, p=0.034). The majority of patients were willing to have one or more medications deprescribed if recommended by their doctors. Patient perceptions about their own health and their involvement in deprescribing were important predictive factors that could shape counseling and education strategies to encourage deprescribing.

Patient adherence to an oral rehydration solution intervention to prevent dehydration following ileostomy creation: A qualitative study

BackgroundPatients undergoing surgery for ileostomy creation frequently experience postoperative dehydration and subsequent renal injury. The use of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) has been shown to prevent dehydration, but compliance may be variable. MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 patients who received a postoperative hydration kit and dehydration education to assess barriers and facilitators to compliance with ORS kit instructions. ResultsQualitative analysis revealed five themes affecting patient adherence to the ORS intervention: (1) patient's perception of the effectiveness of the ORS solution, (2) existing co-morbidities, (3) kit quality and taste of the ORS product, (4) quality of the dehydration education, and (5) social support. ConclusionsGiven that patient adherence can greatly affect the success of an ORS intervention, the design of future ORS interventions should emphasize the educational component, the “patient friendliness” of the ORS kit, and ways that social supports can be leveraged to increase adherence.

The "abortion imaginary": Shared perceptions and personal representations among everyday Americans.

Drawing upon 217 in-depth interviews and the concept of the "social imaginary," we introduce the "abortion imaginary"-a set of shared understandings regarding abortion and abortion patients. We identify four interrelated facets of the U.S. abortion imaginary pertaining to who gets an abortion and why: maternal inevitability, economic decision-making, relationship precarity, and emotional fragility. We then show how shared perceptions of abortion patients diverge into polarized opinions, revealing how those who know someone who has had an abortion differ from those who do not. Centering personal "exemplars," we integrate conceptual work on social imaginaries with contact theory to illuminate how divergent opinions coexist with shared cultural understandings.

Internet of things in public healthcare organizations: the mediating role of attitude

&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt;Internet of things (IoT) is a promising technology to face the challenges of COVID19 and enhance the capacities of public hospitals. However, few of the literature examined the behavioural intention (BI) of patients to use the IoT wearable health device (IoTWHD). This paper aims to examine the factor that affect the BI toward using the IoTWHD. The study proposes that variables of Technology acceptance model (TAM3) along with unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) can explain the BI. The population is the patients of public hospitals. Convivence sampling was deployed to collect the data using a questionnaire. 161 respondents participated in this study. The finding of Smart Partial Least Square showed that subjective norms (SN) affected the perceived usefulness (PU). Perceived enjoyment (PE) affected the perceived ease of use (PEOU). Further, PU, PEOU and perceived security (PS) affected the BI to use IoTWHD. Attitude mediated the effect of PU and PEOU on BI. More positive word of mouth are needed to enhance the perception of patients about BI to use IoTWHD in public health organizations.&lt;/span&gt;

Whole-lesion assessment of volume and signal changes after sclerotherapy of extremity venous malformations

PurposeTo investigate quantitative changes in MRI signal intensity (SI) and lesion volume that indicate treatment response and correlate these changes with clinical outcomes after percutaneous sclerotherapy (PS) of extremity venous malformations (VMs). MethodsVMs were segmented manually on pre- and post-treatment T2-weighted MRI using 3D Slicer to assess changes in lesion volume and SI. Clinical outcomes were scored on a 7-point Likert scale according to patient perception of symptom improvement; treatment response (success or failure) was determined accordingly. ResultsEighty-one patients with VMs underwent 125 PS sessions. Treatment success occurred in 77 patients (95 %). Mean (±SD) changes were –7.9 ± 24 cm3 in lesion volume and –123 ± 162 in SI (both, P <.001). Mean reduction in lesion volume was greater in the success group (–9.4 ± 24 cm3) than in the failure group (21 ± 20 cm3) (P =.006). Overall, lesion volume correlated with treatment response (ρ = –0.3, P =.004). On subgroup analysis, volume change correlated with clinical outcomes in children (ρ = –0.3, P =.03), in sodium tetradecyl sulfate–treated lesions (ρ = –0.5, P =.02), and in foot lesions (ρ = –0.6, P =.04). SI change correlated with clinical outcomes in VMs treated in 1 PS session (ρ = –0.3, P =.01) and in bleomycin-treated lesions (ρ = –0.4, P =.04). ConclusionsChange in lesion volume is a reliable indicator of treatment response. Lesion volume and SI correlate with clinical outcomes in specific subgroups.

Patient Perception on Osteoporosis in Korean Female Patients with Osteoporosis.

Patient perception is a key element in improving compliance with medications for osteoporosis. This study evaluated the awareness, perception, sources of information, and knowledge of osteoporosis among Korean women with osteoporosis. A questionnaire survey was conducted from July 22, 2021 to 13 August 2021. Patients who were followed up in endocrinology (Endo), orthopedic surgery (OS), and gynecology (GY) were recruited (N=40, 40, and 20 in each group). Patients were allocated according to their age, as follows: 15, 15, and 10 patients in their 60s, 70s, and 80s for Endo and OS, and 10 and 10 patients in their 60s and 70s for GY. The questionnaire was composed of the following topics: patient journey to the hospital, drug-related issues, communication with medical doctors, patient knowledge, and sources of information about osteoporosis. The results of medical check-ups were the most common reason for patient visits to the hospital for an initial diagnosis of osteoporosis (61%). A knowledge gap regarding mortality, refracture, and drug-induced osteoporosis was observed. Doctors were the most preferred and trustful source of information, while health-related TV shows were the second most common source of information. Patients with OS reported lower perceived severity and higher drug discontinuation, along with a higher proportion of fractures, as the initial reasons for hospital visits for osteoporosis. Variations in perceptions according to the issue and group were identified. These should be considered during patient consultations to improve compliance with osteoporosis treatment.

Early patients' illness perception as a predictor of post-traumatic stress disorder and quality of life one month after mild traumatic brain injury: a prospective study

Introduction: The illness perception of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) patients before discharge from the hospital tends to be inappropriate. Apart from that, post-injury symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are often experienced by patients, which can affect their quality of life. However, research linking patient perceptions with post-traumatic stress and quality of life remains scarce. This study aimed to examine patient’s illness perceptions and their relationship with PTSD and HRQOL. Methods: This study employed a prospective survey. Illness perceptions were measured before hospital discharge, and a follow-up of post-traumatic stress and health-related quality of life using an online survey was conducted one month later. The survey was administered from July to October 2023 at two hospitals, with a sample size of 72 mTBI patients. Results: mTBI patients with older age (p=.001), negative emotional perceptions (p=&lt;.001), more consequence (p=.045), more concern about their injury (p=&lt;.001) are significantly related to more symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Patients with mTBI who felt more identity symptoms of IR (p=.001), worsened personal control (p=.041), and worsened treatment control (p=.011) are significantly related to deteriorated quality of life one month after injury. Conclusions: This study produces evidence that mTBI patients' perceptions before leaving the hospital tend to be inappropriate and are related to post-traumatic stress and quality of life one month later. Based on these results, it is crucial for trauma nurses to identify patients' illness perceptions and initiate appropriate interventions to reduce PTSD symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life.

Patient's Perception of Outcome after Extracapsular Fractures of the Mandibular Condyle Differs from Objective Evaluation-Experience of a Third-Level Hospital.

Background: The aim of this study is to assess patients' subjective perception of treatment outcome after extracapsular fractures of the mandibular condyle. Methods: A questionnaire survey regarding facial nerve palsy (FNP), malocclusion, pain, reduction in maximum mouth opening (MMO) and further discomfort after 3, 6, and 12 months was carried out. Patients aged 18 or more presenting with an extracapsular condylar fracture between 2006 and 2020 were identified by purposive sampling Questionnaires were received from 115 patients. Fractures were classified on the basis of the pre-treatment imaging, the way of treatment was obtained from patients' medical records. Data were analyzed using Pearsons' chi-square-test, descriptive statistics and Student's t-test. Results: 93.0% of the fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). MMO reduction was the most common post-treatment complication (55.6%). ORIF was associated with less pain after 3 months (p = 0.048) and lower VAS scores compared to conservative treatment (p = 0.039). Comminuted fractures were more frequently associated with post-treatment malocclusion (p = 0.048), FNP (p = 0.016) and MMO reduction (p = 0.001). Bilateral fractures were significantly accompanied by malocclusion (p = 0.029), MMO reduction (p = 0.038) and pain occurrence (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients report less pain after ORIF. Comminuted and bilateral fractures seem to be major risk factors for complications. Subjective perception of complications after extracapsular condylar fractures differs from objectively assessed data.

Investigation into quality of life of patient receiving chemotherapeutic regimen in selected hospital in South East Nigeria: A pilot study

In 2008 approximately 12.7million cancers were diagnosed and 7.6million people died due to cancer worldwide. People living with cancer experience a variety of reactions as such quality of life and chemotherapy for cancer patients and its associated side effects are topical issues in oncology practice. A survey was conducted among 264 breast cancer patients selected by Purposive sampling technique, the instrument for the study was (EORTC QLQ - C30 &amp; BR 23). This instrument was used to determine the quality of life of cancer patients and breast cancer in particular. It has a total of 53 items. The first 30 items (i.e. EORTC QLQ - C30), bothers on patients perception of health, the last 23 items which are numbered 31 – 53 (i.e. BR 23). QOL of breast cancer patients using EORTC QLQE30-BR23, revealed that they have trouble taking a long walk, they have you had pains, they need to rest with a mean of 1.9, 2.7 and 2.8 respectively. Also, 15.9% of the respondents had an excellent quality of life in the past week, 78.0% have good quality of life in the past week, it also further revealed that 14.8% had an overall excellent quality of life during the past week. Also, findings revealed that most of the respondents 57.95% had a very bad/poor QOL. Furthermore, findings further revealed that the patients’ perception of overall health past weeks was good, 206(78.03%). Cancer patients experienced many adverse reactions that affected their QOL. There is a need to develop strategies for managing their adverse event resulting from interventions for cancer, thus improving the patient quality of life.

The effects of physicien attire on consultation outcomes in primary health care, National Guard, Riyadh

Introduction A good Physician- patient relationship is the core of a successful primary health care. It is characterized by a two way interactions between the physician and the patient, where the patient is involved in the decision making(1) . The relationship between the physician and the patient can interfere significantly with the treatment adherence(2) . So it is necessary for the physician to work on building and preserving a good relationship from the first moment. The first impression is important to optimize healthcare outcomes(3) . Physician appearances, gender, nationality, age, speech and posture were found to affect patient’s first impression(3) . Also, it is found that once the first impression been developed, it will remain unchanged – most of the times- (3) . Gender preferences found to increase patient satisfaction in some settings(4) . For the intimate, and psychosocial issues, it is found to be preferred to have a physician of the same gender as a patient (4) . For the age preference, some studies found that patients preferred the physician to be between 30- 50 years (5) . Physician appearances is also an important factor affecting patient perception of the care provided (1)

Patient Perceptions of Microbiome-Based Therapies as Novel Treatments for Mood Disorders: A Mixed Methods Study: Perceptions des patients sur les thérapies basées sur le microbiome pour les troubles de l'humeur : une étude à méthodes mixtes.

Medications are critical for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Unfortunately, 30% to 40% of individuals do not respond well to current pharmacotherapy. Given the compelling growing body of research on the gut-brain axis, this study aims to assess patient perspectives regarding microbiome-based therapies (MBT) such as probiotics, prebiotics, dietary changes, or fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in the management of MDD and BD. This single-centred observational study used quantitative and qualitative assessments to examine patient perceptions of MBT. Participants diagnosed with MDD or BD completed an anonymous questionnaire obtaining demographics, prior medication history, and symptom burden. Self-assessment questionnaires specific to each diagnosis were also used: Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report (QIDS-SR), Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale (ASRM), and General Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7). A logistic regression model analysed the association of MBT acceptance with disorder type, QIDS-SR, and GAD-7 scores. A bootstrap method assessed the proportion of MBT acceptance. The qualitative assessment consisted of 30-minute interviews to elicit perceptions and attitudes towards MBT. The qualitative assessment achieved information power with n = 20. Results from the 63-item MBT questionnaire (n = 43) showed probiotics (37.2%) as the top choice, followed by FMT (32.6%), dietary change (25.6%), and prebiotics (4.6%). A majority of participants (72.1%) expressed willingness to try MBT for their mood disorder, however, logistic regression analysis did not identify statistically significant predictors for MBT acceptance among disorder type, QIDS-SR, and GAD-7. There is an increased focus on the gut microbiota's role in mood disorders' etiology and treatment. Promising research and patient interest underscore the necessity for exploring and educating on patient perspectives and the factors influencing attitudes towards MBT.

Effect of Virtual Reality Glasses Application on Pain, Anxiety, and Patient Satisfaction During a Transrectal Prostate Biopsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study aims to determine the effect of virtual reality glasses application on pain, anxiety, and patient satisfaction during a transrectal prostate biopsy. The study was conducted with pre-tests, post-tests, and a control group, using a randomized controlled experimental research design. A total of 70 patients (35 in the intervention group and 35 in the control group) were included in the study. The intervention group watched a video with virtual reality glasses during the biopsy process. A Descriptive Information Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I, STAI-II), Scale of Patient Perception of Hospital Experience with Nursing Care (PPHEN), and Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS) were used for data collection. To evaluate the data, numbers, percentages, mean, standard deviation, chi-square, paired sample t test, independent samples t test, regression analysis, and Cronbach's alpha Reliability Coefficient were used. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of descriptive and clinical characteristics (p > .05). The mean VAS and STAI post-test scores of the patients in the intervention group were lower than the control group, and the difference between them was statistically significant (p < .05). The mean PPHEN post-test scores of the patients in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < .05). The application of virtual reality glasses during a transrectal prostate biopsy significantly reduced the level of pain and anxiety and increased patient satisfaction.