Practice Of Healthcare Professionals Research Articles

Perspectives, Experiences, and Practices of Healthcare Professionals and Patients Towards Herb-Drug Interaction: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.

The aim of the study was to understand healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and patients perspectives and experiences on clinical practice of herb-drug interactions (HDIs). A systematic review of qualitative studies was conduct. 10 electronic databases were searched from inception through September 2023. Qualitative studies, mixed-method studies, and unstructured or semi-structured cross-sectional surveys focused on healthcare professionals, pharmacists and patients' perspectives, attitudes, clinical practice behaviors, and information needs regarding HDI were included. Thematic synthesis employed Nvivo 12 software. Of 6655 studies identified, 1267 full-text articles were retrieved. Of these, 18 studies conducted in 11 countries/regions were eligible for inclusion, involving 1273 patients, 302 healthcare professionals, and 230 pharmacists. Five over-arching explanatory themes were identified: perspectives, attitudes, practices, experiences, expectations, and information needs. Complementary and alternative (CAM) physicians, pharmacists, and general practitioners were considered by patients to possess the ability or responsibility to assess potential HDIs. Pharmacists yet encountered difficulties due to conflicting information sources and inadequate training. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, usually only assessed HDIs when they were deemed to cause serious adverse effects. Regarding expectations and information needs, patients were particularly concerned about the risk of adverse HDIs, the severity of HDIs, and the appropriate intervals between drug doses. They would like to receive relevant HDI alerts. Results suggest that government, policy makers, healthcare professionals, and the education system should give attention to HDIs and improve health professional-patient communication. Further research should also be conducted on the understanding and practices of CAM practitioners in China. Trial Registration: CRD42022324777 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails).

Understanding European patterns of deprescribing antithrombotic medication during end-of-life care in patients with cancer

BackgroundEven though antithrombotic therapy (ATT) probably has little or even negative effect on the well-being of patients with cancer near the end of life, it is often continued until death, possibly leading to excess bleeding complications, increased disease burden, reduced quality of life and higher healthcare costs. AimTo explore and describe European practice patterns and perspectives of healthcare professionals from different disciplines and specialties on ATT in the end-of-life care (EOLC) of patients with cancer. MethodsWe performed a two-week international cross-sectional survey study using flash-mob research methodology. Eligible were healthcare professionals from different institutions across Europe, who prescribed ATT and/or dealt with EOLC of patients with cancer. The survey comprised three parts, including a series of choice sets (hypothetical scenarios involving a set of characteristics changing in level [e.g., high vs. low thrombotic risk]) on ATT management in EOLC. The discrete choice experiment analysis was conducted using multinomial logistic regression. ResultsOut of 467 pre-registrants, 208 participated in the survey from 4 to 18 July 2023. The majority (53 %) considered a patient with cancer as in EOLC when life expectancy is below 3 months. Respondents reported seeing or treating 20 patients with cancer on ATT in EOLC per year (IQR 10–50). The median estimated frequency of considering ATT deprescription per healthcare professional was 10 times per year (IQR 4–10), while the frequency of actual deprescription was 5 times per year (IQR 2–10). Twenty percent of respondents had never deprescribed ATT in the context of EOLC. Across the eight choice sets, five respondents (2.7 %) found deprescribing inappropriate in any scenario. Deprescribing was more often considered in patients with poor ECOG-performance status, high bleeding risk and low-molecular-weight heparin use as opposed to oral ATT. Haemato-oncology and cardiovascular medicine specialists were more inclined to deprescribe antiplatelet therapy than other specialties. ConclusionOur study describes medical decision-making regarding ATT in EOLC of patients with cancer. Healthcare professionals' perspectives and practice patterns vary, and some preferences appear associated with the therapists' professional focus and region of practice.

Overcoming Barriers to Healthcare Reform: A Call to Action.

The success of healthcare reform hinges on policymaker, regulator, and administrator actions that shape policies at various levels. These policies can either facilitate or hinder the practice of healthcare professionals and collaborative work environments. It is imperative for all healthcare professionals to fully utilize their education and certification, as fostering an equitable workplace culture is vital for retaining staff and improving access to care. Using nurse practitioners (NPs) as an exemplar, this article aims to specify systemic barriers to healthcare reform and call for policymakers, regulators, and clinical agency administrators to enact change. Barriers to NP practice include restrictive oversight by external stakeholders, financial incentives for indirect billing, and hierarchical constraints that limit NP contributions to the healthcare system. The growing healthcare provider shortage disproportionately impacts primary care and rural settings. NPs are increasingly more likely to fill these roles than medical doctors and have documented positive patient health outcomes. Removing systemic obstacles for NP practice increases access to care. Nursing-the largest healthcare workforce with diverse roles-operates under complex oversight from multiple organizations for licensure, accreditation, certification, and education. The recent trend of external stakeholders influencing and requiring additional oversight has created barriers to nursing practice. Despite national education, accreditation, and certification standards, nursing licensure and practice are increasingly negotiated with external stakeholders and supervised at the state and institutional levels. Supporting all healthcare professionals to practice according to their education and certification can advance healthcare reform, address workforce shortages, increase access to care, and improve health.

Development and validation of a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) questionnaire for healthcare professionals on environmental sustainability in healthcare in Southern Africa

Background Global environmental degradation is increasingly driving poor health outcomes worldwide. Healthcare systems and services are often not environmentally sustainable and compound the problem, while healthcare professionals are also recognised as key leaders in advancing sustainable healthcare. To adopt this leadership position, healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding environmental sustainability in healthcare must be established. This article reports the development and validation of a new instrument for this purpose that corresponds to the specificities of the Southern African context. Methods Questionnaire development followed a seven-stage process. Information was obtained from a 2021 study titled ‘South African Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare: A Mixed-Methods Study’ to develop the instrument. Information was also sourced from the literature regarding environmental sustainability and healthcare to generate the first questionnaire with 29 items. The following stages included two rounds of expert input, separated by a pilot study with the target population to receive feedback regarding the instrument’s structure, relevance, and length. Content validity was determined through statistical analysis. Results Feedback was received from nine experts in stage two and 13 pilot-study participants in stage four and incorporated to improve the questionnaire. In stage six, the questionnaire was rated by seven experts. The content validity index of the questionnaire was calculated at two different stages, after which the indices were compared. Following a final edit, the questionnaire has 24 questionnaire items. The closing analysis calculated the scale content validity index average (S-CVI/Ave) of 0,922; this indicates that the final questionnaire has excellent content validity. Conclusion A questionnaire that assesses the knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare professionals regarding environmental sustainability in Southern Africa has been developed and validated. This questionnaire can now be used for further studies in Southern Africa.

Understanding the benefits of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and influence of hyperkalaemia on their prescription: a UK survey of healthcare professionals' views and practice

Abstract Background Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) improve outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and they should be increased to the maximally tolerated dose. However, their use is often hindered by hyperkalaemia leading to discontinuation or down titration. Purpose Assess perceptions of primary and secondary healthcare professionals regarding benefits of RAASi according to indication and, in the context of developing hyperkalaemia, to identify barriers to optimal utilisation, and to explore options for improving management protocols, specifically in HFrEF. Methods An electronic survey was distributed in primary and secondary care setting in Hampshire, UK, to evaluate knowledge about benefits of RAASi, clinical response to varying level of potassium (K+), and decision-making using several clinical scenarios. Hyperkalaemia was graded into mild (serum K+ 5.5 – 5.9 mmol/L), moderate (serum K+ 6.0 – 6.4 mmol/L) or severe (serum K+ ≥ 6.5 mmol/L). Results Between November 2021 and January 2023, 300 questionnaires were completed by 274 (91%) physicians (varying grades of seniority), 22 (7%) non-medical prescribers, and 4 (1%) pharmacists. 80% were working in secondary care across different specialities (31 working in cardiology and 15 in nephrology). The majority were aware of prognostic benefit of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) in patients with HFrEF although this was lower for mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) (Fig 1). Fewer than 2/3 of respondents were aware of impact of ACEi on symptoms. In the presence of mild hyperkalaemia, 75% and 88% of healthcare professionals would stop or reduce ACEi and MRA, respectively. In moderate or severe hyperkalaemia, this increased to 96% and 97%, respectively (Fig 2A-B). When considering the scenario of a patient with HFrEF who had ACEi stopped due to K+ 5.9 mmol/L, the potassium at which the responder would consider re-starting the ACEi ranged from 77% when potassium level < 5.5 mmol/L to 1% in moderate or severe hyperkalaemia (Fig 2C). 74% of healthcare professionals were familiar with local hyperkalaemia management protocol and 93% supported dedicated training on RAASi dose adjustment and hyperkalaemia management. Conclusion This survey, across a broad range of healthcare professionals, shows uncertainties around knowledge of benefits of RAASi in patients with HFrEF and there is sizeable variation in the prescribing response to degrees of hyperkalaemia. Given the voluntary nature of the survey, it is plausible that these data are biased towards individuals with greater understanding. Regardless, there is a need for continued education with a goal of improving patient-centred care.

Medical students attitudes towards patients with disability: a scale validation study

BackgroundDisparities in health outcomes among persons with disabilities (PWD) are influenced by preventable factors including negative attitudes and discriminatory practices of healthcare professionals and the limited training of medical students in working with PWD.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to validate the “Medical Students’ Attitudes Towards Patients with Disabilities” (MSA-PWD) scale among Lebanese medical students and identify associated factors.MethodA scale validation study was conducted as part of the standard internal evaluation process at the medical school, using a cross-sectional design based on a qualitative content validity process, involving students from years 1 to 4. The study included questions from previous tools, and others encouraging students to reflect on their encounters with PWD and share their insights. Statistical procedures were applied to assess the reliability and validity of the tool, including construct validity, convergent validity, known-group validity, and trend analysis.ResultsAfter a careful selection of the related items, the MSA-PWD scale demonstrated high construct validity and internal consistency, along with good convergent validity and known-group validity. Factor 1 of the scale was able to differentiate between different enrollment years of medical students, correlating with the self-assessment tool for confidence in dealing with PWD and clinical experience scenarios.ConclusionThe “Medical Students’ Attitudes Towards Patients with Disabilities” scale validated in this study is a comprehensive instrument that can distinguish between different medical school enrollment classes. The newly developed scale was valid, and reliable.

Integrating telemedicine in European healthcare settings: Key enablers for healthcare professionals

Abstract Background Conducted as part of WP4 (Sustainability) of the eCAN Joint Action (JA), we aimed to understand the facilitating factors for the use of telemedicine services in healthcare organisations (HCOs) involved in cancer care, such as comprehensive cancer centres and hospitals. eCAN JA runs pilot studies in 18 HCOs across 10 EU Member States (MS) to test the integration of telemedicine into the daily practice of healthcare professionals. Methods Based on a literature review, we identified 26 facilitators to implement telemedicine services at the organisational level; these were integrated to an online survey and sent to healthcare professionals working in cancer care. Next, they were invited to a foresight workshop to complement the quantitative survey data with qualitative insights. Results 24 healthcare professionals across 12 EU MS, predominantly from the pilot sites of the eCAN JA, responded to the survey. They advocate for trainings on telemedicine, emphasising the importance of user-friendly and interoperable platforms, alongside sufficient technological support, time, and financial resources to effectively implement telemedicine in HCOs. Trial periods for both healthcare professionals and patients should offer first-hand experience, while harmonising telemedicine protocols ensure consistency. In addition, promoting digital literacy among physicians and providing IT education from an early age could facilitate adoption. These strategies, coupled with awareness campaigns and infrastructure investments in HCOs, can pave the way for telemedicine adoption. Conclusions Based on the quantitative and qualitative outcomes, it can be concluded that policies should establish telemedicine training for healthcare professionals, support interoperability and user-friendliness of these services in HCOs. They should also address hospital workload challenges, create harmonised protocols, provide incentives, and invest in digital infrastructure in HCOs for telemedicine adoption. Key messages • Telemedicine implementation in HCOs requires equipping healthcare professionals with the necessary skills, ensuring system compatibility, and addressing resource constraints in HCOs for success. • Financial and infrastructural support to HCOs is crucial for the seamless integration of telemedicine services into the daily workflows of healthcare professionals, enhancing health service delivery.

Assessment of the research potential of healthcare specialists in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the implementation of clinical research: results of online questionnaires and self-assessments. Global crisis of clinical researcher shortage

The study aimed to identify and analyze the potential of practical healthcare professionals in terms of skills and knowledge for conducting clinical research in Kazakhstan, as well as to identify obstacles that may arise and cause the low involvement of specialists in research activities.Materials and methods. A specially developed questionnaire was conducted online. Various healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, teachers of medical educational organizations) from all regions of Kazakhstan participated. By random sampling, 337 respondents answered the questions. Data was collected anonymously through Google Forms.Results and discussion. 29,7% respondents had participated in clinical research. Most respondents do not have sufficient knowledge in conducting clinical research; on average, 35% of respondents answered correctly. On average, respondents' self-assessment of knowledge and skills in choosing a study design, forming groups of study objects, collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data obtained during clinical trials, and performing statistical processing of results was 3 points (max = 5 points). A majority expressed a need for further training in clinical research. The main barriers to conducting clinical research were identified as lack of working time (44%), insufficient knowledge in conducting clinical research (34%), inaccessibility of educational programs (28%), lack of personal interest (27%), non-compliance of clinical base infrastructure (23%), difficulties in patient recruitment (20%), and the risk of losing professional autonomy (13%).Conclusions: The survey results show an unsatisfactory level of existing research potential of healthcare professionals in the organization and conduct of clinical research. the findings reveal a significant gap in the research potential of healthcare professionals in Kazakhstan. There is a lack of understanding of clinical research concepts, international standards, and local legislative requirements. The main obstacles are inadequate time for research, insufficient knowledge and experience, limited access to training, and low interest among professionals.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Nurses and Midwives towards Hepatitis B Infection and Control Measures in Alban Gaded Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan

Purpose: Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes severe morbidity and death, burdening world health. Nurses and midwives, among other healthcare professionals, are more likely to contract the illness. Few studies have looked at the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of healthcare professionals in Sudan with regard to HBV infection, despite the fact that diverse components of KAP have an impact on health-related behaviors. This study's objective was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) level of nurses and midwives concerning HBV viral infection in, Khartoum, Sudan.  Methods: In the Sudanese state of Khartoum, a public hospital (Alban Gaded Hospital) underwent a cross-sectional descriptive hospital-based study. To assess KAP's understanding of nurses and midwives about HBV infection. Self-administered questionnaires were used and approved by the supervisor for distribution to the population chosen for the study. The data was handed over to the Medical Director whom personally ensured the questionnaires were signed and filled by the Healthcare workers (HCWs) of the chosen criteria at the field. A member of group (23:B) took care of the supervision aside with the medical director, and made sure the data was collected as needed. The data at hand were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 24.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences).  Results: 95 samples out of 99 were collected. According to participants’ knowledge: 67.95% have good knowledge about HBV, while 32.05% lack basic knowledge about it. The participants’ attitude towards HBV is above average showing 60.3% safe attitude. Lastly, the study shows excellent practice of the participants’ behavior towards HBV safety measures with a score of 92.3% safe practice. From the hospital, a total of 95 out of 99 nurses and midwives took part in the study. Two thirds of the respondents practiced safety, and the majority of respondents had a positive attitude about HBV preventative measures. More than half of the respondents (58.2%) had an average level of understanding. A minor but serious score of (12.6%) was noticed of the individuals, dealing with patients without wearing gloves. More over half of the nurses and midwives were not vaccinated against HBV; more than 50% of participants had incorrect ideas regarding the symptoms and route of HBV infection and all 95 participants voted (NO) for ever being infected by HBV.  Conclusion: In Alban Gaded hospital, the majority of the nurses and midwives were aware of HBV infection. But a sizeable majority of the participants lacked the necessary understanding of early immunization after birth. The study found a probability of high risk infection due to exposure under the poor level of HBV vaccine coverage rate. Moreover a clear point of limitation was noticed in Table 4 third question, where it asks whether you are or ever was infected by HBV. All the participants denied, showing a sense of partiality. Further occupational exposure prevention measures, training programs on HBV infection, including post-exposure prophylaxis, and increasing the vaccination rate of all HCWS are also strongly encouraged.

The Use of Mobile Health Care Among Medical Professionals in the Sichuan-Chongqing Region: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

The emergence and integration of mobile health care technology have fundamentally transformed the health care industry, providing unprecedented opportunities to improve health care services and professional practice. Despite its immense potential, the adoption of mobile health care technology among health care professionals remains uneven, particularly in resource-limited regions. This study aims to explore the use and influencing factors of mobile health care among health care professionals in the Sichuan-Chongqing region of China and make recommendations. Convenience sampling was used in a cross-sectional study conducted from November 8 to November 14, 2023, to survey frontline clinical health care professionals at 5 district-level secondary public hospitals in the Sichuan-Chongqing region. A web-based questionnaire was used to investigate the use of mobile health care and its influencing factors among the participants. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression analysis were used in the study. A total of 550 valid questionnaires were completed. Among the surveyed health care professionals, only 18.7% (103/550) used mobile health care, with a satisfaction rate of only 50.5% (52/103). Around 81.3% (447/550) did not use any form of mobile health care. The age group of 30-39 years was found to be a significant factor influencing the use of mobile health care by health care professionals (P=.03). The main reasons for not using mobile health care among health care professionals were lack of appropriate technical training and support (266/447, 59.5%), lack of suitable management-specific apps (204/447, 45.6%), and concerns about increased workload (180/447, 40.3%). There were significant differences in the single-factor analysis of the reasons for the nonuse of mobile health care among health care professionals from different specialties (P=.04). Logistic regression analysis indicated that age was the only significant factor influencing the use of mobile health care by health care professionals (P=.04). The utilization rate of mobile health care among health care professionals in the Sichuan-Chongqing region is low. Age is a significant factor that influences whether health care professionals use mobile health care. Providing appropriate technical training and support may help improve the enthusiasm of health care professionals in using mobile health care.

O IMPACTO DA VIOLÊNCIA OBSTÉTRICA NA SAÚDE MENTAL DAS MULHERES: UMA ANÁLISE DAS CONSEQUÊNCIAS PSICOLÓGICAS

Introduction: This paper addresses obstetric violence, a phenomenon that compromises not only the physical health but also the mental health of women during childbirth. The practice of obstetric violence is reflected in disrespect, negligence, and violations of the rights of parturient women, affecting their birthing experience and recovery. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the forms of obstetric violence, explore its impact on women's mental health, and discuss the relevance of nursing care in promoting the humanization of care. Methodology: This research adopted a quantitative approach, with article searches conducted in databases such as SCIELO and REVISTA COFEN. Articles that presented statistical data on women's experiences during childbirth, as well as their implications for physical and mental health, were included. Data collection was carried out based on information extracted from the selected articles, and analysis was performed using descriptive statistical techniques to identify patterns and trends. This approach allowed for an in-depth understanding of obstetric violence, contributing to the discussion of intervention strategies and the promotion of humanized care in obstetric practices. Results: The results indicate that obstetric violence manifests in various forms, such as misinformation, verbal abuse, and invasive procedures without consent. These experiences lead to significant consequences for women's mental health, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. Discussion: The discussion highlights the importance of training healthcare professionals in practices that promote respect and dignity for parturient women. Humanizing care is essential to preventing obstetric violence and improving the chidbirth experience. Final Considerations: The final considerations emphasize the need for respectful and welcoming care, as well as continuous work in nursing professional training. Promoting humanized care is crucial to ensuring the mental health and well-being of women in the obstetric context.Keywords: obstetric violence, mental health, nursing care, humanization of care.

MAiD in America: A Rapid Review of Medical Assistance in Dying in the United States and Its Implications for Practice for Health Care Professionals.

The evolving legal landscape associated with medical assistance in dying (MAiD) may pose significant challenges for hospice and palliative care professionals. In the United States, 10 states and 1 jurisdiction have passed legislation allowing MAiD. National organizations, such as the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, have created position statements to serve as guides to care. Given the clinical and ethical challenges associated with MAiD, a rapid review was conducted to provide current evidence for policymakers, health care professionals, and researchers to use when considering care management and policy initiatives. Using a systematic approach, publications related to MAiD between 2019 and 2024 were extracted and synthesized. The review provides definitions of terms that differentiate between MAiD, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, medically assisted death of the nonterminal patient, and death with dignity. A total of 23 articles were included in the review and categorized into 4 themes: (1) legal, regulatory, and policy concerns; (2) health care professional experience of MAiD; (3) patient and caregiver experience of and communication about MAiD; and (4) disparate access to MAiD.

Current management of chronic kidney disease in type-2 diabetes-A tiered approach: An overview of the joint Association of British Clinical Diabetologists and UK Kidney association (ABCD-UKKA) guidelines.

A growing and significant number of people with diabetes develop chronic kidney disease (CKD). Diabetes-related CKD is a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and people with diabetes and CKD have high morbidity and mortality, predominantly related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite advances in care over the recent decades, most people with CKD and type 2 diabetes are likely to die of CVD before developing ESKD. Hyperglycaemia and hypertension are modifiable risk factors to prevent onset and progression of CKD and related CVD. People with type 2 diabetes often have dyslipidaemia and CKD per se is an independent risk factor for CVD, therefore people with CKD and type 2 diabetes require intensive lipid lowering to reduce burden of CVD. Recent clinical trials of people with type 2 diabetes and CKD have demonstrated a reduction in composite kidney end point events (significant decline in kidney function, need for kidney replacement therapy and kidney death) with sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists. The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) and UK Kidney Association (UKKA) Diabetic Kidney Disease Clinical Speciality Group have previously undertaken a narrative review and critical appraisal of the available evidence to inform clinical practice guidelines for the management of hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension in adults with type 2 diabetes and CKD. This 2024 abbreviatedupdated guidance summarises the recommendations and the implications for clinical practice for healthcare professionals who treat people with diabetes and CKD in primary, community and secondary care settings.

Chinese expert consensus on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pulmonary infection in patients with solid tumors (2024 edition)

Patients with solid tumors have an increased risk of developing pneumonia during the management of tumor. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of pneumonia in these patients have different characteristics compared to the general population, such as the correction of specific risk factors for pneumonia and the rational use of prophylactic antimicrobial drugs, the strategy of invasive sampling diagnostic techniques application, differential diagnosis from anti-tumor treatment associated pulmonary conditions, and consideration of pathogens and drug resistance in empirical antimicrobial treatment. In order to standardize the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pneumonia in patients with solid tumors, Oncology Respiratory Disease Committee initiated the "Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia in patients with solid tumors". Based on a review of the latest evidence in this field, the consensus provides diagnostic and treatment pathways as well as recommendations. This consensus applies to oncologists, pulmonologists, infectious disease physicians, surgeons, emergency medicine physician, and general practice healthcare professionals involved in the management of solid tumors in adults.

Bereavement coping strategies among healthcare professionals: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis.

Coping with a patient's death is one of the most challenging events faced by healthcare professionals in clinical practice. A broad understanding of the coping strategies used by healthcare professionals is fundamental to the development of effective interventions and the provision of good bereavement care. This review aims to systematically synthesize the coping experience of healthcare professionals in the course of their work when they are confronted with patient deaths. PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Wiley online library were searched in April 2023 with no restriction on publication date. A 3-stage thematic synthesis method was applied for data integration and analysis. Thirty studies involving 545 participants met the inclusion criteria and scored a high level on quality assessment ranging from 9.0 to 10.0. Six themes were identified: emotional coping, cognitive coping, behavioral coping, relational coping, spiritual coping, and occupational coping. Overall, the coping strategies used by healthcare professionals in response to bereavement were found to be unique and multidimensional. Understanding how healthcare practitioners use emotional, cognitive, behavioral, relational, spiritual, and professional strategies to cope with bereavement will prove extremely beneficial in helping them to manage their grief, and can furthermore promote their professional growth and ensure the provision of excellent bereavement care for patients.

Facilitators, barriers, and impact of e-learning on healthcare professionals in primary healthcare settings: An integrative review of literature

Background: The Primary Health Care Corporation in Qatar uses continuing professional development (CPD) to improve the knowledge and practices of healthcare professionals (HCPs). Due to COVID-19, CPD delivery has shifted from in-person to e-learning. While the need to provide CPD is evident, there is a lack of understanding of how HCPs access and use e-learning and how this learning influences the organizational outcomes in primary care settings. Aim: The aim of this review was to explore (a) the facilitators and barriers to accessing and using e-learning and (b) the impact of e-learning on HCPs’ learning, their practices, and organizational outcomes. Methodology: Primary research publications between 2013 and 2022 were obtained from the CINAHL, MEDLINE OVID, and EBSCO databases. A total of 39 articles were included in this integrative review, which was guided by Whittemore and Knafl's framework. The MMAT was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Kirkpatrick's model guided data analysis. Findings: The reaction level is influenced by the characteristics of e-learning content and delivery as well as the motivation of individuals. The learning level is influenced by the level of awareness, knowledge, skills, confidence, attitudes, and beliefs of HCPs. The behavior level is associated with intentions to change or apply in practice as well as implications for practice. The organizational impact is characterized by the quality of patient care. Conclusion: Understanding the potential facilitators and barriers to accessing and using e-learning is crucial when designing and implementing CPD to improve the quality of e-learning and therefore the quality of patient care.

A qualitative interview study exploring continuity within a community integrated palliative care model and the influence of remote and digital approaches to care.

Demand for palliative care is rising. Recent UK policy approaches promote integrated care models - collaborations between generalist practitioners and multidisciplinary specialists - and remote and digital practices. The extent to which different forms of continuity are supported within this evolving context is currently unclear. To explore the experience of continuity and impact of remote and digital practices within an integrated palliative care model. A qualitative interview study of patients and bereaved relatives recruited from a GP practice list and healthcare professionals delivering the integrated palliative care service for that population. 20 narrative and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 patients, relatives, and professionals between May 2022 and November 2023. They explored how care was delivered or received, focusing on coherency and the use of remote and digital practices. Data were theorized using a novel framework that considered psychodynamic, biomedical, sociotechnical, and sociopolitical domains of continuity. The need for human care and connection were of primary importance and affected by intersubjective, biomedical, sociotechnical, and sociopolitical factors that influenced continuity of care. Despite the logistical ease of remote and digital practices, professionals had to work harder or around technologies to provide a 'caring' service. This was exacerbated by a lack of co-localisation, loss of longitudinal relationships, and reduction in tacit knowledge. Numerous complex factors and the exacerbating effects of remote and digital practices influence continuity and coherency within an integrated palliative care model.

Healthcare Provision for the LGBT Community: A Scoping Review of Service Providers and User Perspectives

Objective: This scoping review aimed to explore available literature on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals on providing care to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) community as well as the experiences and perspectives of the LGBT community on their healthcare. Material and Methods: The following electronic databases were searched in December 2020: MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, ProQuest, SCOPUS, and Embase for English-language publications; from 2010 to 2020.Results: This review included 59 studies that were selected from 5,318 studies. This review revealed that there was an increase in publications regarding this topic across the world. This review identified four themes: (I) the current healthcare landscape for the LGBT community, (II) facilitators of and (III) barriers to healthcare access and utilization among the LGBT community, and (IV) varied facets of healthcare of relevance for LGBT healthcare users – communication, space, education and training, research, and policies.Conclusion: This review serves as a valuable compass for future researchers seeking areas for deeper exploration and understanding. Nevertheless, the limitations of the study underscore the significance of exercising caution when interpreting its findings concerning challenges within LGBT healthcare.

Patient safety incidents in paediatric radiology: how to care for the professional?

Patient safety incidents in paediatric radiology have profound impacts not only on the patient and their family, but also on the well-being and professional practice of healthcare professionals. These incidents, which range from procedural and diagnostic incidents to serious adverse events leading to harm or even death of the patient, may evoke feelings of distress, guilt, and anxiety among paediatric radiologists (in-training), ultimately affecting their confidence and ability to deliver high-quality care. Recognizing the importance of addressing these challenges, healthcare organizations should implement strategies to support professionals in coping with and learning from these incidents. By fostering a culture of open communication, providing access to peer support, and offering structured debriefing and educational opportunities, healthcare institutions can help mitigate the psychological toll of patient safety incidents and promote resilience among their staff. This article examines the multifaceted impacts of patient safety incidents on paediatric radiologists (in-training) and their staff and outlines effective approaches for handling these incidents to support professional well-being and enhance patient safety.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Health Care Professionals Toward Breastfeeding

Successful initiation and continuation of breastfeeding is proportionate to the attitude and knowledge of health care professionals toward breastfeeding; therefore, we conducted a study in Alkhoms district hospital, aimed to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practices of health care professionals toward breastfeeding. A well-structured questionnaire was designed to test their knowledge on Breastfeeding process, and their ability to deal with different problems and questions that may face during their practice. A total of 155 health care providers participates in this study [72 nurses, 25 midwives, and 58 junior doctors], all of them filled the questionnaire completely and each separately. The study has shown clearly deficiencies of health care providers in some aspects of their knowledge on and their abilities to deal with practical problems that may facing the lactating mother.