Perspectives Of Healthcare Practitioners Research Articles

Provision of contraception to adolescents in primary healthcare clinics in South Africa: Perspectives of healthcare practitioners

Introduction: The provision of contraception to adolescents is a fundamental public health strategy for preventing adolescent pregnancies and realising universal access to sexual and reproductive health. In the South African context, and as informed by national and provincial policy guidelines, this strategy is delivered at primary healthcare clinics. In this study, we sought to explore the barriers and enablers of providing contraception to adolescents in primary healthcare clinics from the perspectives of healthcare practitioners. Methods: We employed a qualitative research design. Using purposive sampling, we recruited senior managers and nurses involved in primary healthcare and sexual and reproductive health programmes in South Africa. We conducted semi-structured interviews with twenty-nine participants working in an urban or rural district. Subsequently, we transcribed the interviews, verifying for errors. Guided by Braun and Clarke’s model of thematic analysis, we grouped the data into four themes derived from the healthcare access frameworks. Each of the four themes has sub-themes describing both enablers and barriers to providing contraception to adolescents. Results: The study revealed that practitioners’ knowledge of policy guidelines enabled them to provide contraception to adolescents effectively. However, the differences between what is stated in policy documents and practical limitations could impede the extent to which services reach adolescents. Other barriers to providing contraception to adolescents included language differences between healthcare practitioners and users, time constraints, and lack of privacy during consultations. Participants noted that appropriate nurse training and ensuring an accepting environment for adolescents facilitated the provision of contraception to this age group. Conclusion: Our study offers valuable insights into the perspectives of primary healthcare practitioners about the barriers and enablers in providing contraception to adolescents. Our results indicate that policy development and future research should focus on strengthening the delivery of contraception services for adolescents.

Perspectives of healthcare practitioners on environmental sustainability in healthcare: A qualitative study.

To explore the perspectives of Kazakhstani healthcare professionals on environmental sustainability in healthcare. An exploratory qualitative design. Four focus group discussions (FGDs) on environmental sustainability in healthcare were conducted among healthcare professionals (nurses, physicians, midwives and physical therapists) from June to August 2023 in three cities of Kazakhstan. Each FGD consisted of at least 6 to 11 participants and lasted between 60 and 90 minutes. The collected data were analysed using the thematic analysis. A total of 137 initial codes were identified and further organized into 22 sub-themes based on similarities in codes and meanings, and then 5 significant themes were identified. The five main themes are 'Environmental Sustainability Practices in Healthcare', 'Purposes of Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare', 'Impact of Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare in Patients', 'Challenges in Implementing Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare' and 'The Role of Healthcare Leadership in Improving Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare'. The findings highlighted the perceptions and practices of healthcare professionals on environmental sustainability's purposes in healthcare, its impacts on patients and its implementation challenges. The study also underscored the critical role of strong and active leadership in ensuring a sustainable implementation of green policies in healthcare facilities and achieving successful results of environmentally conscious healthcare practices. The findings provide invaluable information that can be used by policymakers and healthcare organization leaders to create a sustainable healthcare system. Implementing environmental sustainability practices in healthcare should be widespread, intentional, and sustainable, entailing strong leadership and unwavering personal and organizational commitment. No patient or public contribution. We adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines, specifically the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Navigating Professional Registration and Development Pathways: Perspectives of Healthcare Practitioners

The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) has undertaken a comprehensive evaluation of its registration and classification services to pinpoint areas for optimization. Recognizing healthcare professionals as essential stakeholders, SCFHS actively solicited their perspectives to better understand their needs and to collect actionable suggestions for service enhancement. Employing a multifaceted research approach, this study utilized focus groups, a large-scale survey involving over 700,000 healthcare practitioners, and comparative benchmarking against selected G-20 nations. The findings indicate a strong desire among practitioners for a reorganisation of the current registration and classification procedures. Notably, there was a consensus for extending the registration period, with a predominant preference for a five-year duration. Participants also advocated for various improvements, such as an increase in Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours, financial cost reductions, and streamlining of registration processes. While benchmarking revealed that SCFHS's existing registration durations are generally on par with other G-20 countries, it also highlighted potential opportunities for diversifying registration types to better meet the needs of healthcare professionals.

Perceptions of Interprofessional Practitioners Regarding Pediatric Palliative Transports.

Pediatric palliative transport (PPT) is the practice of offering critically and terminally ill children requiring life-sustaining measures the opportunity to be discharged from the hospital to home or a hospice facility for end-of-life care. Although studies have shown PPT to favorably affect both children and their families, limited research exists on the perspectives of health care practitioners. To understand the experience of interprofessional practitioners who have cared for a critically or terminally ill child during a PPT and their perception of PPT as a care option. This study is a qualitative descriptive inquiry conducted using 8 focus groups. Participants included interprofessional staff from 4 specialty intensive care units, the pediatric advanced care team, and the critical care transport team at a quaternary, freestanding children's hospital. Content analysis was used to summarize themes and recommendations. Five overarching themes were identified: PPT as a care pathway, education, communication, support, and closure. Use of PPT was perceived as aligned with the hospital's mission of family-centered care and as providing a way for the health care team to support a family's choice. Participants recommended further development of information to guide communication and processes of care that would enhance the experience for families and staff and support PPT as a care pathway. Pediatric palliative transport is considered a feasible, valuable, and critical end-of-life intervention. The value that PPT has brought to participating families warrants continued investment in the intervention's standardization and enhancement.

Exploring post-stroke fatigue in Kingdome Saudi Arabia from the perspectives of healthcare practitioners and stroke survivors – A mixed-methods approach

Exploring post-stroke fatigue in Kingdome Saudi Arabia from the perspectives of healthcare practitioners and stroke survivors – A mixed-methods approach

Chronic myeloid leukaemia: A qualitative interview study exploring disease impact from patient and practitioner perspectives

PurposeImprovements in chronic myeloid leukaemia treatment mean it is now relevant to examine the experiences of living with this cancer over a lifetime. This qualitative study aimed to investigate the impact of chronic myeloid leukaemia, from patient and healthcare practitioner perspectives. MethodsThe research was set within the UK's Haematological Malignancy Research Network; a population-based cohort of patients newly diagnosed with blood cancer, treated at one of fourteen hospitals. Purposive sampling led to interviews with seventeen patients and thirteen health care practitioners. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. ResultsTwo analytical themes, “Significant impact of disease and treatment” and “Mediators of the impact of disease and treatment”, and six sub-themes, were derived from patient interviews and supported with data from practitioners. Chronic myeloid leukaemia was described by patients as having significant widespread impact, which could be mediated by their knowledge, social support, and the quality of healthcare systems. Practitioners reflected patient accounts, but could underestimate the impact of this cancer. They generally viewed chronic myeloid leukaemia as less complex, severe and impactful than acute blood cancers; a message that reassured patients at diagnosis, but could later unintentionally contribute to difficulties discussing side effects and struggles to cope. ConclusionChronic myeloid leukaemia may significantly impact individuals, particularly as it is experienced over the lifetime. Greater understanding and discussion of the breadth and extent to which patients are affected, including potential mediators, could enhance clinical care.

Integration of Complementary Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care: Survey of Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives

Background: In recent years, it has been discovered that complementary and traditional medicine (CTM) use among cancer patients has increased. In order to successfully integrate these treatments into cancer care, it is critical to assess the viewpoints, foreseen obstacles and recommendations for CTM use in cancer patients from the perspective of healthcare practitioners (HCPs). Purpose: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of HCPs on CTM integration in cancer care, as well as perceived barriers and suggested recommendations to CTM use in oncology settings. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect data from a sample of 240 healthcare providers (HCPs) using the Complementary and Traditional Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care Questionnaire. Results: Findings revealed that 49.6% of the participating HCPs reported that 50% of cancer patients had used CTM in the past year. Approximately 75% of HCPs perceived that the greatest motives for cancer patients to use CTM are to improve their well-being and QoL, in addition to have lower chemotherapy side effects. According to HCPs, patients resorted to diet/nutrition therapy and herbs the most during chemotherapy or advanced cancer and they would first consult a folk healer (48.8%), then an oncologist (31.7%) about CTM used modalities. The findings also revealed that HCPs perceived inadequate communication between CTM and conventional practitioners and oncologist skepticism and rejection of CTM as barriers to CTM integration. Conclusion: HCPs saw a need to improve communication between integrative physicians and cancer patients by focusing on the patients’ lifestyle and outlook, their well-being and their ability to function. Implications for Nursing: The findings showed that the majority of HCPs considered oncology nurses to have a crucial role in “participating in building CTM treatment plan”. Therefore, nurses need to take a leading role towards reducing the barriers of CTM integration in cancer care settings and involve in planning educational training programs focusing on the benefits and risks of using CTM and the best methods towards integrating CTM modalities for cancer patients.

Perspectives of Healthcare Providers Towards Quality and Patient Safety in Healthcare: Systemic Review of Literature

Aim: Quality and patient safety ensure safe, high-quality treatment and staff well-being. This systematic study examines healthcare providers' quality and safety views. Aim of the study was to look for the perspectives that affect the quality and safety.
 Methods: Search and selection followed the Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). This was a systematic review of articles in databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar without regard to language or publication date. The study analyzes five healthcare practitioner perspectives: Teamwork, medication errors, time management, workload and conditions, and patient safety culture.
 Results: The findings showed that teamwork can simplify goal achievement and that working together makes health providers happier. The findings further showed that time management, patient care, and job unpredictability due to interruptions, unplanned changes in patient-care management, emotional and physical tiredness, and unpredictable schedules or work duties may be out of one's control and may hinder work planning. Teaching providers problem-solving and critical thinking is a major time management factor.
 Conclusion: Problem-solving training helps providers manage time. Medication errors endanger patients. Distractions, incorrect doses, and illegible writing cause pharmaceutical errors. To address these issues, doctors must take multiple pharmaceutical error prevention courses. Quality, patient safety, and care require these perspectives.
 Recommendations: Policymakers, healthcare administrators, and clinicians must prioritize patient safety for patient safety culture. Health care providers must match the hidden curriculum to the explicit curriculum because it has a big impact on workers. This will foster safety and quality care. Workload greatly affects job quality and patient safety. Increased workloads per person lower work quality, which may harm patients. They need more providers and a lower patient-to-provider ratio to improve patient safety. Healthcare workers struggle with time and job quality.

FARGO-360: a multi-disciplinary survey of practice and perspectives on provision of care for patients with frailty presenting with gynecological cancers in the UK and Ireland

ObjectivesFrailty has been associated with worse cancer-related outcomes for people with gynecological cancers. However, the lack of clear guidance on how to assess and modify frailty prior to instigating active...

Myths, misconceptions, and hesitancy in people residing in Qatar toward mRNA COVID-19 vaccines: An experience exchange from Qatar University health center.

The hesitancy in taking COVID-19 vaccines is a complex process influenced by several factors, including individual, social, and cultural. Health literacy and community awareness around mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are critical for successfully combating the pandemic. Healthcare professionals, including family physicians and nurses, can help increase community awareness and mitigate some misconceptions and hesitancy regarding mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in people's attitudes. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to explore how the interaction between an individual's social identities such as gender, ethnicity, culture, knowledge, and belief impact their hesitancy and attitudes toward mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. We aimed to describe our experience in dealing with people residing in Qatar from the perspective of healthcare practitioners from the Qatar University Health Center during the period when mRNA COVID-19 vaccines was introduced in a time frame of 6 months (April to October, 2021).We identified several factors associated with the reluctance to receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines once vaccination services were available, affordable, and accessible to everyone in Qatar (Table 1). Most individuals were hesitant and refused to take mRNA COVID-19 vaccines owing to the unjustified myths and fear about potential side effects of vaccines in general and unknown long-term effects of vaccination, especially among women who were uneducated. We believe we have been able to put forth a fair, unbiased, and balanced argument between an individual's right to take or refuse the vaccine and the overall benefits to the public and community health in terms of the overall community immunity when the vast majority of the population will be vaccinated. Our experience could assist in developing culturally sensitive and tailored community outreach programs to increase community awareness as it is the cornerstone on which public health can fight the irrational myths, fear, misconceptions, vaccine hesitancy, and improve vaccination coverages. Moreover, our shared experiences might be able to better prepare future launching of pandemic vaccination campaigns in order to minimize vaccine hesitancy.

Discussing parenthood with gay men diagnosed with HIV: a qualitative study of patient and healthcare practitioner perspectives

BackgroundResearch on HIV and reproduction has focused largely on women and heterosexual men. This article examines whether it is relevant to address parenthood in HIV care with gay men and what ways of doing so are most appropriate.MethodsQualitative interviews were conducted at four London clinics with 25 men living with HIV, aged 20–45, who did not have children, and 16 HIV clinicians. A thematic analysis identified potential reasons why parenthood was rarely discussed with gay men in HIV care.ResultsTwo sets of ideas contributed to a lack of conversations about parenthood: clinicians’ ideas about what matters to gay men and men’s ideas about what it means to be HIV-positive. Both sets of ideas largely excluded having children, with patients and practitioners similarly unlikely to raise the topic of parenthood in the clinic. Contrary to what clinicians commonly assumed, many men expressed interest in receiving more information, highlighting the importance of reassuring people upon diagnosis that it is possible to become parents while living with HIV.ConclusionsParenting desires and intentions were rarely discussed with men in HIV care. Our findings illuminate the potentially beneficial effects of emphasising that having children is a possibility at diagnosis, regardless of patients’ gender or sexuality. Conveying this information seems meaningful, not only to men who want to become parents in the future but also to others, as it appears to alleviate fears about mortality and ill health.

Transition to Multidisciplinary Pediatric Telerehabilitation during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Strategy Development and Implementation

Telerehabilitation offers a unique solution for continuity of care in pediatric rehabilitation under physical distancing. The major aims of this study were to: (1) describe the development of telerehabilitation usage guidelines in a large hospital in Israel, and to (2) evaluate the implementation of telerehabilitation from the perspectives of healthcare practitioners and families. An expert focus group developed guidelines which were disseminated to multidisciplinary clinicians. Following sessions, clinicians filled The Clinician Evaluation of Telerehabilitation Service (CETS), a custom-built feedback questionnaire on telerehabilitation, and parents completed the client version of the Therapist Presence Inventory (TPI-C) and were asked to rate the effectiveness of sessions on an ordinal scale. Four goals of telerehabilitation sessions were defined: (1) maintenance of therapeutic alliance, (2) provision of parental coping strategies, (3) assistance in maintaining routine, and (4) preventing functional deterioration. Principal Components Analysis was used for the CETS questionnaire and the relationships of CETS and TPI-C with child’s age and the type of session were evaluated using Spearman’s correlations and the Kruskal–Wallis H test. In total, sixty-seven telerehabilitation sessions, with clients aged 11.31 ± 4.8 years, were documented by clinicians. Three components (child, session, parent) explained 71.3% of the variance in CETS. According to therapists, their ability to maintain the therapeutic alliance was generally higher than their ability to achieve other predefined goals (p < 0.01). With younger children, the ability to provide feedback to the child, grade treatment difficulty and provide coping strategies to the parents were diminished. Families perceived the therapist as being highly present in therapy regardless of treatment type. These results demonstrate a potential framework for the dissemination of telerehabilitation services in pediatric rehabilitation.

Patient and Healthcare Provider Perspectives of First-Generation Somatostatin Analogs in the Management of Neuroendocrine Tumors and Acromegaly: A Systematic Literature Review.

IntroductionSomatostatin analogs (SSAs) are used to treat neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and acromegaly. Two first-generation SSAs, octreotide long-acting release (OCT LAR) and lanreotide autogel/depot (LAN), are available. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to investigate which characteristics beyond efficacy are most important in patient and healthcare practitioner (HCP) experience of LAN and OCT when used to treat acromegaly and NETs.MethodsMEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Database of s of Reviews of Effect were searched from database inception to January 2019 with terms for first-generation SSAs, NETs, acromegaly, preferences, decision-making, and human factors. Key congresses in 2016–2018 and SLR bibliographies were hand-searched. Two independent reviewers screened articles at title/abstract and full-text stage. Publications fulfilling pre-specified inclusion criteria reported patient or HCP perspectives of LAN or OCT, or any factors affecting treatment perspectives for NETs or acromegaly.ResultsA total of 1110 unique records were screened, of which 21 studies were included, reporting from the perspectives of patients (n = 18) and/or HCPs (n = 9). Perspectives were collected using shared decision-making frameworks, questionnaires, informal patient opinion, and a Delphi panel. Where patient preference was specifically reported, LAN was preferred in 4/5 studies and OCT LAR in 1/5. Common factors underlying treatment experience included technical problems with injections and associated pain, emotional quality/anxiety of injections, time and convenience of treatment administration, and independence. Immediate aspects of injections appeared most important to patients, though the possibilities of extended dosing intervals and self-/partner-injection with LAN were also notable factors.ConclusionsStudy outcomes favored LAN in this SLR, with factors surrounding injection administration most influential in treatment experience. The findings of this SLR provide a basis that could inform development of decision-making criteria, with patient and HCP treatment perspectives considered. Future studies should utilize a common method to report preference and associated drivers.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-020-01600-x.

The perspective of healthcare practitioners on preconception care at primary healthcare in Jakarta: A qualitative study

ObjectivesThis study has aimed at identifying the nature of preconception care delivered by healthcare practitioners toward prospective brides and grooms at primary healthcare in Jakarta. Materials and methodsThis study used a qualitative design with descriptive analysis. The participants of this study are nine health practitioners, who deliver preconception care to prospective brides and grooms at primary healthcare in Jakarta, involving doctors, nurses, midwives, health analysts, and psychologists. The criteria of the participant were healthcare practitioners who were in charge of delivering healthcare service to prospects from primary healthcare, at least having a year experience at primary healthcare, having at least an associate degree. Participants have selected through purposive sampling in which characteristics suitable to the research objectives. The trustworthiness of the data has met through principles of credibility, conformability, dependability, and transferability. ResultsThe study identified four themes, which include participants’ perspective on prospects preparation, implementation of preconception care to prospects at primary healthcare, obstacles faced during the delivery, and participants’ needs for preconception care services. ConclusionHealthcare practitioners need specialized training and interagency cooperation to enhance professional skill-mix in preconception care to achieve goals for maternal and child health.

The Impact of Macroeconomic Policies on Healthcare Delivery in Kenya: An Analysis of the National Sexual Violence Prevention and Care Response.

Sexual violence is one of the most common forms of violence against women in Kenya. This study documents the care of sexual violence survivors from the perspective of health care practitioners based on an analytic framework developed in studies of the political-economy of health to examine the effects of International Financial Institutions' conditionalities on the allocation of national fiscal resources. The study documented the working conditions of practitioners and myriad challenges that they experience in providing quality services to sexual violence survivors. The issues reflected in the results are grounded in social structural inequities driven by the global political economic policies that perpetuate poverty and dependency throughout Africa and the developing world. Macro-level variables associated with health care provision are assessed with a focus on global macroeconomic policies established by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, their impact on Kenya's health economy and their ultimate impact on the capacity of the health system to meet the complex needs of survivors of sexual violence. In this paper, study results are analysed within the context of these macroeconomic policies and their legacy.

The perspectives of healthcare practitioners on fall risk factors in older adults.

BackgroundAccidental falls could have severe and far-reaching consequences for older adults, their families and society at large. Healthcare practitioners’ (HCPs) perspectives on fall risk factors in older adults could assist in reducing and even preventing falls. Currently, no universal tool exists for this purpose. The World Health Organization’s globally accepted International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was used.AimThis study aimed to (1) describe the perspectives of HCPs on fall risk factors in older adults in South Africa and (2) link these factors to the ICF.SettingEighteen HCPs participated in two focus groups.MethodsUsing a qualitative research design, an inductive thematic analysis allowed for the identification of important themes, which were linked to the ICF.ResultsThe factors mentioned by participants were categorised into 38 themes, which were linked to 142 ICF codes, of which 43% (n = 61) were linked to the Body Function category, 23% (n = 32) to the Environmental Factors category, 18% (n = 26) to the Body Structure category and 16% (n = 23) to the Activities and Participation category. HCPs revealed two relevant factors that were not captured in existing fall risk assessment tools (FRATs), namely ‘muscle-power functions’ and ‘mobility-of-joint functions’, which directly relate to the ability to execute mobility activities. Combining HCPs’ perspectives with other stakeholders and with literature provides a holistic picture of fall risk factors in older adults.

Perspective of Soy Formula and Fiber intake among Non-Cow’s Milk Drinker Pediatric Patients; A Survey among Indonesian Health Care Practitioners

Indonesia is one of the highest countries for soy-based product consumption, which the usage also started from early age as breastmilk substitute product, although local regulation and guideline stated that soy-based formula recommended for cow’s milk protein allergy. However, evidences showed that soy-based formula supplemented with fiber in non-cow’s milk drinker could also have health effect to gastrointestinal system. This online survey aimed to explore the perspective of health care practitioners (HCPs) in recommending soy-based formula for non-cow’s milk drinker pediatric patients, as well as identify the required additional ingredient or supplementation, specifically on fiber, in soy-based formula. Majority of respondents (97% of paediatricians (P &lt; 0.001)), (96% of nurses (P = 0.003)), (99% of midwives (P &lt; 0.001)) recommended soy-based formula as nutritional product toward non-cow’s milk drinker patients. On the added ingredients required, 43% of respondents mentioned that AA and DHA and 31% mentioned that fibre is the ingredient that need to be added to complete the benefits of soy formula. This study concluded that the overall perspective of HCPs showed that soy-based formula is a nutritional product recommended for non-cow’s milk pediatric patients. However, fiber is required to be added to achieve the potential benefits of soy-based formula.

Healthcare practitioner perspectives and experiences regarding vascular access device data: An exploratory study

ABSTRACT Background: A vascular access registry is a key strategy proposed to improve patient safety and quality, but its impact will be shaped by the attitudes, experience and resources of end-user stakeholders. This study aimed to examine stakeholders’ perspectives and experiences regarding the feasibility and utility of a standardized platform to collect vascular access data and to identify potential barriers and facilitators of a vascular access clinical quality registry. Methods: Individual (n = 17) and group (n = 1) semi-structured interviews were conducted between October–December 2018 with directors from various healthcare disciplines and policy makers in Australian healthcare facilities. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Overall, participants supported the idea of a standardized platform to capture vascular access data. Three main themes were identified: (1) data challenges (sub themes: standardized data capture, data quality and data sharing); (2) staff capability (lack of resources and feeling unsupported); and (3) logistics (resource capacity and implementation challenges). Conclusion: Stakeholder engagement and universal agreement on standardized vocabulary and data items are vital to registry development, implementation and sustainability. Continuous iterative cycles will be required to reflect upon, review and improve the processes around vascular access data collection using a standardized registry software platform.

Communicating and diagnosing non-specific low back pain: A qualitative study of the healthcare practitioners’ perspectives using a social diagnosis framework

There is general agreement that non-specific low back pain is best understood within a biopsychosocial understanding of health. However, clinicians and patients seemingly adhere to a biomedically derived diagnostic model, which may introduce misperceptions of pain and does not inform treatment or prognosis. To explore, from the perspective of health-care practitioners, how persistent non- specific low back pain may be communicated in a way that moves beyond a biomedical diagnosis. An explorative qualitative investigation using a constructivist diagnostic framework. Focus group and individual interviews of 10 purposefully selected chiropractors, physio-therapists and general practitioners were codified and thematically analysed. Four themes emerged: "Clinicians' nuanced understanding of back pain"; "The challenges of shared decision-making"; "Cultural barriers to moving beyond biomedicine"; and "More than a label - individual explanations for pain". Pain and disability were perceived as products of multiple bio-psycho-social factors. Clinicians identified the impact of multiple social actors, an unhealthy work culture, and the organization of the medical system on the notion of pain and suffering. Clinicians perceived a need to communicate the complexity of non-specific low back pain in order to help patients make sense of their condition, rather than applying diagnostic labelling. There are multiple barriers to integrating a constructivistic diagnostic framework that need to be overcome.

TRAUMA INFORMED CARE IN THE ACUTE CARDIAC CARE SETTING: A PATIENT PARTNERSHIP CASE STUDY

Despite there being an established relationship between acute hospitalization and experiencing symptoms of trauma, there is a paucity of research in the application of a trauma-informed approach in the cardiac acute care setting. Trauma-informed approach is defined as an approach of care aimed at promoting health and healing that reduces the occurrence of re-traumatization in the health care setting. The goal of this patient partnership presentation is to tell the story of a critically ill cardiac patient’s 8-month hospital stay, and how a trauma-informed approach to his care could have changed his experience. We present the case of Jeff, a 47-year-old male patient who presented in cardiogenic shock, was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and then transferred to left ventricular assist device (LVAD). During his recovery he developed a serious mediastinal infection prolonging his hospitalization leading to numerous tests, procedures and setbacks in his trajectory. Jeff shares his experience and outlines some of the traumatic events that are viewed as routine care for health professionals such as blood work, invasive and non-invasive testing, and vital signs. We will then collaborate to offer suggestions to minimize triggers for future patients and improve patient care. This presentation provides health care professionals with experiences from both patient and health care practitioner perspectives. This patient partnership presentation may guide future research on trauma-informed approach in acute and critical care settings, and shape how patient care is provided to those who have experienced multiple traumatic events secondary to their illness trajectory.