Components Of Program Research Articles

The Buckeye Wellness Innovator Program: A Quality Improvement Evaluation

Background: Wellness champion networks are a best practice strategy to promote and sustain a culture of well-being in organizations and institutions of higher education. Aim: The purpose of this quality improvement evaluation was to determine program effectiveness and areas of opportunity for a university wellness champion program. Methods: An anonymous survey was sent to 700 wellness champions, the Buckeye Wellness Innovators (BWIs), to assess program components, identify areas of opportunity, and gather participant feedback. Results: A total of 202 BWIs (28.8%) responded to the survey. Seventy-five percent reported at least moderate engagement in the role. There was a strong desire among respondents to contribute to the university’s wellness initiative. Areas of opportunity include further colleague engagement in wellness services and programs, enhanced communication from program facilitators, and continued and increased support for the wellness champion role. Conclusions: Feedback on the program was positive overall. Several areas of opportunity for program improvement were identified. Wellness champions are an effective evidence-based strategy to support a culture of wellness in institutions of higher education and their feedback is important for program quality improvement.

Resumption of Employment after Cervical Cancer Surgery: a 3-Year Follow-Up Study of Long-term Outcomes

INTRODUCTION. Despite advancements in cervical cancer (CC) diagnosis and treatment, surgical intervention remains the cornerstone of radical treatment. However, surgical procedures can result in complications such as lymphedema, sexual dysfunction, and other physical and psychosocial disorders, significantly affecting patients' quality of life (QoL) and ability to return to work. This emphasizes the need for effective strategies to support patients in resuming their occupational activities post-treatment. AIM. To investigate the relationship between different rehabilitation programmes following cervical cancer surgery and return to work MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study included patients aged 18 and older with stage 1A–1B cervical cancer. Patients were randomized into two groups: those receiving an active comprehensive rehabilitation program (СС-1, 51 patients) and those receiving passive rehabilitation (СС-2, 52 patients). The active rehabilitation program included a personalized, year-long regimen encompassing physical therapy, psychotherapeutic support, and lifestyle modifications, among other interventions. In contrast, the passive rehabilitation group received standard post-operative care information and general recommendations based on local clinical guidelines. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who returned to work at various time points up to 36 months post-surgery. RESULTS. Patients in the СС-1 group demonstrated significantly higher rates of return to work compared to the CC-2 group from the third month post-surgery onwards. At 36 months, all patients in the CC-1 group had returned to work, whereas only 66.7 % of patients in the CC-2 group had resumed their professional activities. In the CC-1 group the chance of returning to work within 3 years after surgery was 2.14 times higher compared to those in the CC-2 group (OR = 0.467, 95 % CI 0.309–0.706, p 0.001). CONCLUSION. The study highlights the significant impact of personalized comprehensive active rehabilitation programs on improving the likelihood of return to work following surgical treatment for early-stage cervical cancer. These findings suggest that such rehabilitation approaches may be crucial in enhancing the long-term recovery and social reintegration of cervical cancer patients, ultimately contributing to better overall outcomes. Further research is needed to identify the most effective components of these rehabilitation programs and optimize their implementation.

Patient-Centered Physical Activity Intervention in Lung Cancer Patients: A Clinical Severity and Functional Capacity Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Increasing physical activity levels is a significant unmet need in cancer survivors, and it can likely be enhanced through a better understanding of the interventions developed. Some studies on patient-centered physical activity interventions have shown promising results in increasing daily activity levels among lung cancer survivors. However, the programs present a high heterogeneity, and there is no consensus on the parameters and their effectiveness. To examine the effectiveness of patient-centered physical activity interventions on clinical severity and functional capacity in lung cancer patients. A systematic review was performed on randomized controlled trials. A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library (last search November 2023). The Cochrane tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system were used for quality assessment. Pooled data were meta-analyzed for physical activity levels, functional capacity, and cancer-related symptoms. Fourteen studies, encompassing 1123 lung cancer patients, were included. The treatment status of patients varied. The components of the physical activity programs showed heterogeneity. Results revealed significant differences favoring patient-centered physical activity interventions over the control group for physical activity levels (P < .05), functional capacity (P < .001), and cancer-related symptoms (P < .05). The results indicate that patient-centered physical activity programs positively enhance physical activity levels, improve functional capacity, and reduce cancer-related symptoms in patients with lung cancer. Patient-centered physical activity interventions show promise in improving the care and management of lung cancer patients. These interventions provide a basis for encouraging lung cancer patients to actively participate in their treatment.

STEM Faculty Professional Development: Measuring the Impact on College Student Grades and Identifying Critical Program Components

ABSTRACTHigher education institutions commonly provide faculty professional development (PD) in teaching and learning, with the goal of enhancing student outcomes by improving instructional quality. Yet few existing studies link PD participation with student outcome measures. Empirical evidence on the impact of PD on student performance in higher education, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is limited. Using institutional data from a large state university in California, we address this gap by estimating the impact of two online PD programs on student performance: an asynchronous program about developing online courses, open to faculty from all disciplines; and a synchronous program designed exclusively for STEM faculty, concentrating on STEM‐specific challenges and active learning strategies in online instruction. Using a difference‐in‐difference approach, our results indicate that both PD programs improved student grades, while only the STEM‐specific PD improved DFW rates and addressed equity gaps. To explain the difference in results between the two PD programs, we invoke a theoretical model positing that to improve student outcomes, faculty PD must teach strategies known to improve student performance, it must teach that content in ways known to improve faculty learning, and it must support faculty as they implement new strategies.

An Inter-institutional Peer-Mentoring Program for Professional Development of Medical Educators: Program Components, Evaluation, and Evolution

An Inter-institutional Peer-Mentoring Program for Professional Development of Medical Educators: Program Components, Evaluation, and Evolution

P-404. A nationwide survey of Infection Prevention and Control and High-level Disinfection and Sterilization practices in the Dominican Republic

Abstract Background Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) cause significantly morbidity and mortality worldwide. Infection Prevention and Control Programs (IPC) have proven to be effective in reducing HAIs. In low- and middle-income countries, 15% of patients in acute care hospitals acquire a hospital acquired infection (HAI) compared to 7% in high-income countries. Strong IPC can reduce HAIs and the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We seek to characterize IPC capabilities and practices in the Dominican Republic (DR). Figure 1: Population density of the Dominican Republic and geographic distrubution of hospitals surveyed Methods We performed an anonymous survey of infectious diseases (ID) specialists in acute care hospitals in the DR. A survey based on the CDC Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) tool for general infection and control was distributed via professional society listervs between March 4 and April 24, 2024. Data was tabulated and descriptive statistics performed. Figure 2: Components of Infection Prevention and Control programs in the Dominican Republic Results A total of 20 hospitals responded to our survey, representing 16 facilities in Santo Domingo, and one in Santiago, San Cristobal, La Romana, and San Pedro de Macoris respectively (Figure 1). Of the 20 facilities, 60% (12) reported having an IPC Program, 55% (11) had a dedicated multidisciplinary IPC committee, and 90% had access to an IPC expert such as an ID physician (Figure 2). Education to patients was provided in 58% of hospitals, 83% set policies and procedures based on national or international guidelines, 75% conduct annual risk assessments, and 50% utilize software for data reporting and extraction. All IPC programs reported access to the medical record. Fourteen centers reported data on high-level disinfection and sterilization (HLD), of which 50% had formal training for staff, 50% reported having HLD specific policies, 35.7% track devices for errors, and 28.5% have a reporting process for device-related infections to public health authorities. Conclusion Our survey provides an overview of the current landscape of IPC in the DR. While there has been significant progress in standardizing IPC practices, our findings indicate that nearly half of the surveyed hospitals do not have formal IPC programs. Notably, existing IPC programs often lack formal IPC committees, device tracking, data extraction, and infection reporting mechanisms. Addressing these gaps may help recude HAIs and curb AMR. Disclosures Rita A. Rojas-Fermin, MD,FIDSA, Gilead: Advisor/Consultant|Pfizer: Advisor/Consultant|Pfizer: Honoraria

Effects of Personalized DiaBetes TEXT Messaging Combined with Peer Support Education on Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To investigate the effects of personalized DiaBetes TEXT messaging combined with Peer Support Education (DB-TEXT+ PSE) on clinical outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. An assessor-blinded, three-arm randomized controlled trial recruited 84 participants between December 2022 and July 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to a DB-TEXT + PSE group, a DB-TEXT group, or a professional education program (PEP) group. Primary outcomes included glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, and clinical remission rates, whereas secondary outcomes measured lipid profiles, fatigue, sleep quality, depression, and quality of life (QoL). Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0), three months (T1), and six months (T2) postintervention. Relative to PEP, personalized DB-TEXT + PSE and DB-TEXT alone led to significantly reduced HbA1c levels at T1 and decreased FBG levels at T1 and T2. Type 2 diabetes remission was achieved by 35.7% and 50% of the participants in the DB-TEXT + PSE group, by 17.9% and 25% in the DB-TEXT group, and by 3.7% and 3.7% in the PEP group at T1 and T2, respectively. Relative to the PEP, DB-TEXT + PSE led to significantly reduced TC levels, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and improved sleep quality and QoL over time. Personalized DB-TEXT + PSE is more effective at enhancing clinical outcomes, reducing fatigue, improving sleep quality, and improving quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes than DB-TEXT alone and PEPs are. Educators can incorporate personalized DB-TEXT + PSE as a component of diabetes education programs and thereby integrate digital interventions and supplementary programs.

P-506. Improving HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among Transgender Individuals

Abstract Background Due to numerous structural factors, transgender (TG) individuals are disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States. Prioritizing PrEP for this population remains a priority. In 2020, only an estimated 3% of TG individuals were taking PrEP. However, one study showed that TG women who had access to gender-affirming care were more likely to discuss PrEP use with their healthcare provider. This study aims to evaluate PrEP prescription patterns among TG individuals seen in our integrated infectious disease and gender-affirming care practice. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review for all patients who were prescribed PrEP from January 1st, 2022 to December 31st, 2023 at our institution. Data from 2017 to 2023 was collected to evaluate the frequency of PrEP prescriptions over time. Results Two hundred and five total individuals were prescribed PrEP in 2022-2023 at our institution. Of these, 125 (61.0%) patients identified as male, 33 (16.1%) as female, 42 (20.5%) as TG female, 6 (2.9%) as TG male, and 3 (1.5%) as nonbinary. Of the 48 TG patients, 19 (39.6%), 18 (37.5%), and 13 (27.1%) were Black, Latinx, or White, respectively. Out of 48 TG patients, 32 (66.7%) were new to PrEP at our institution compared to 98 (47.8%) of all patients prescribed PrEP (p&amp;lt; 0.01). Thirty-four TG individuals (70.8%) remained on PrEP by the end of the study period, compared to 130/205 of all patients prescribed PrEP (63.4%; p=0.22). Linear regression indicated an increase in prescription rates in TG patients from 2017 to 2023 (R2 = 0.86). Conclusion At our institution, gender-affirming care integrated within an infectious disease practice led to higher levels of PrEP uptake and persistence for a marginalized TG patient population. Improving access to high-quality gender-affirming care is an essential component of HIV prevention programs with the goals of ending the HIV epidemic and ensuring equitable access to services. Disclosures Shobha Swaminathan, MD, Viiv Healthcare: Advisor/Consultant

Adherence, perceptions and knowledge of an HIV PMTCT programme: A mother-baby pair study

Background: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programmes are designed to prevent HIV transmission to infants and children. Despite efforts to achieve this goal, several factors continue to pose challenges.Objectives: To investigate the level of adherence, perceptions, knowledge, and factors associated with adherence to the PMTCT programme in primary healthcare facilities.Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design and quantitative research approach was used, and clinical records were reviewed to determine the prevalence of seroconverted babies of mothers enrolled in a PMTCT programme for the past 2 years in the community healthcare centres. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.Results: A total of 341 mother-baby pairs were recruited and took part in the study. Most women (263; 77%), perceived that a pregnant woman living with HIV can transmit the virus to her unborn baby. The following factors were independently associated with non-adherence: being unmarried, the period of maternal HIV diagnosis and initiation on antiretroviral therapy, unsuppressed viral load results, missed clinic appointments, side effects, and getting tired of taking HIV medication.Conclusion: This study investigated adherence to and perceptions of all components of the PMTCT programme by pregnant and breastfeeding women in primary healthcare facilities. Despite the significant progress made, maternal and paediatric HIV pandemic pose a challenge to the PMTCT services. There is a need for follow-up research to monitor the ongoing adherence to the PMTCT programme and its long-term impact in reducing the rate of transmission of HIV in mothers.

Scoping Review of Outdoor and Land-Based Prevention Programs for Indigenous Youth in the United States and Canada

Interventions taking place on the land are culturally well aligned for Native peoples, as they are often developed by the community and incorporate traditional knowledge, values, and practices. However, research on the effectiveness and characteristics of such programs is lacking. This scoping review examined outdoor and land-based prevention interventions for Indigenous adolescents ages 10–25 in the United States and Canada to identify program characteristics such as origination, aims, activities, duration, evaluation methods, and outcomes. Over three-fourths (77%) of the 153 programs identified were community-derived. The programs were principally strength-based and promoted protective factors for general wellbeing. The most common delivery format was short camps. Nearly all programs (97%) included an element of culture. The activities most often seen were recreation (84%), subsistence living (65%), and Elder knowledge sharing (63%). Thirty-three studies measured outcomes and included quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method study designs. Studies found positive impacts on participants’ self-esteem and mental health; connections to culture, cultural pride, and identity; and connections to community including peers and Elders. The literature on outdoor and land-based prevention interventions for Indigenous youth is growing rapidly. Understanding program components is a first step to identifying the elements critical to effective programs for Indigenous youth.

Designing the First Pregnancy Guaranteed Income Program in the United States: Qualitative Needs Assessment and Human-Centered Design to Develop the Abundant Birth Project.

Racial inequities in pregnancy outcomes persist despite investments in clinical, educational, and behavioral interventions, indicating that a new approach is needed to address the root causes of health disparities. Guaranteed income during pregnancy has the potential to narrow racial health inequities for birthing people and infants by alleviating financial stress. We describe community-driven formative research to design the first pregnancy-guaranteed income program in the United States-the Abundant Birth Project (ABP). Informed by birth equity and social determinants of health perspectives, ABP targets upstream structural factors to improve racial disparities in maternal and infant health. The research team included community researchers, community members with lived experience as Black or Pacific Islander pregnant, and parenting people in the San Francisco Bay Area. The team conducted needs assessment interviews and facilitated focus groups with participants using human-centered design methods. Needs assessment participants later served as co-designers of the ABP program and research, sharing their experiences with financial hardships and government benefits programs and providing recommendations on key program elements, including fund disbursement, eligibility, and amount. Housing affordability and the high cost of living in San Francisco emerged as significant sources of stress in pregnancy. Participants reported prohibitively low income eligibility thresholds and burdensome enrollment processes as challenges or barriers to existing social services. These insights guided the design of prototypes of ABP's program components, which were used in a design sprint to determine the final components. Based on this design process, the ABP program offered US $1000/month for 12 months to pregnant Black and Pacific Islander people, selected through a lottery called an abundance drawing. The formative design process maximized community input and shared decision-making to co-design a guaranteed income program for Black and Pacific Islander women and people. Our upstream approach and community research model can inform the development of public health and social service programs.

EXPLORING INDONESIAN PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ STRATEGIES DURING PRACTICUM IN THAI SCHOOLS

Teaching practicum is a component of teacher education programs that provides pre-service teachers (PST) with practical classroom experience. This study investigated the teaching strategies and challenges of Indonesian student teachers during practicum in Thai schools. The study involved 27 participants from 4 universities in Central Java who participated in a one-month internship program. Using qualitative methods, data were collected through open-ended questionnaires and interviews. All 27 participants agreed to complete open-ended questionnaires regarding the challenges experienced during the teaching practicum. From the results of the questionnaire, only 4 participants agreed to be interviewed further regarding teaching strategies. The results obtained from filling out the questionnaire about the challenges showed that 89% experienced language barriers, 8% were constrained in learning media, and 4% had difficulty finding halal food. On the other hand, the results obtained from interviews show that PST apply teaching strategies using digital media, printed media, and ice-breaking. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the use of strategies in teaching must be appropriate and can make students understand the material presented by PST due to the limited language and media.Keywords: pre-service teachers; teachers’ strategies; challenges; teaching practicum.

Assessing the structural relationships between the CIPP model components in teacher education program

PurposeThe objective of this study is to explore the structural relationships among context (C), input (I) and process (P) and product (P) (CIPP) components of teacher preparation programs based on students' perceptions.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, data were collected using a 17-item scale. The study sample consisted of 213 pre-service teachers enrolled in the Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Teaching (PPDT). Quantitative research methodology with multivariate structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to examine the two suggested models.FindingsThe results of this study show that the CIPP model can be projected into preservice teachers' perceptions of the CIPP components. These preservice teachers' perceptions of preparation programs from the three components (CIP) can predict preservice teachers' perceptions of teachers’ preparation program products or outcomes (i.e. the fourth CIPP component). This result indicates that the relationships between the CIPP components and the pre-service teachers' perceptions of the Diploma in Teaching program are direct.Originality/valueTwo suggested models were tested to explore the structural relationships between CIPP components. The first model represents the original CIPP model with indirect relationships between the four components: CIPP. The second model suggests direct relationships between the first three components (CIP) and the objectives or products (P).

Critical Incident Stress in Healthcare Education: An Integrative Review.

Healthcare professionals' repeated exposure to critical incidents can cause various physical and psychological symptoms with potentially severe personal and professional consequences. Healthcare students' exposure to critical incidents begins during their clinical education. Despite known consequences, healthcare education has yet to implement a standardized approach for preparing students for critical incidents. Critical incident stress management, one identified program, has been utilized in healthcare organizations. However, formal critical incident stress management programs may not be appropriate for healthcare education with requirements to educate students on the clinical knowledge, skills, and judgment needed during critical incidents. The purpose of this review was to determine the state of the science related to critical incident stress in the context of healthcare education. A literature search was conducted, and peer-reviewed articles were included. Four articles were identified for inclusion, signaling a need for more research on critical incident stress in healthcare education. The available literature suggests that students are impacted by critical incident stress. The studies in this review did not incorporate critical incident stress or components of critical incident stress management programs into their overall curricula or educational programs. The studies did demonstrate that students may be positively or negatively influenced by critical incident stress. Critical incident stress programs are not widely incorporated into healthcare education; however, it has been demonstrated that a standardized approach to preparing and supporting students is needed. Future studies need to determine if critical incident stress should be integrated into healthcare education and the outcomes.

A scoping review of therapeutic mentoring for youth mental health

IntroductionTherapeutic mentoring, which leverages paraprofessional care, is a potential way to scale access to care to address the youth mental health crisis. This scoping review synthesizes the current state of research on self-designated therapeutic mentoring programs for youth mental health.MethodA systematic search was conducted across four databases using the term “therapeutic mento*” and related keywords, taking a label-first approach to describe the available literature. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed articles about research on therapeutic mentoring in the US, written in English. Data were extracted on study characteristics, intervention details, mentor background, and outcomes.ResultsEighteen empirical articles were identified, published between 2003 and 2024. Most studies focused on at-risk youth from diverse backgrounds. Therapeutic mentoring programming varied, although most (N = 13) studies examined the Campus Connections program. Mentors were typically trained paraprofessionals or undergraduate students supervised by clinical professionals. Only two randomized controlled trials were found, both of the Campus Connections program.DiscussionThe review revealed a lack of rigorous experimental studies on therapeutic mentoring efficacy, as defined by studies that use the term therapeutic mentoring. While some studies showed promising effects, more research is needed to establish the definition of therapeutic mentoring and whether it is an acceptable and effective intervention for youth mental health.ConclusionA clear definition of therapeutic mentoring is needed to advance the field and facilitate systematic evaluation of its effectiveness in supporting youth mental health. Future research should prioritize developing program models that align with diverse youth's cultural values, conducting randomized controlled trials, examining program components, and developing standardized measures for assessing therapeutic mentoring outcomes.

Pharmacist-Directed Transition of Care Services Decrease Readmissions at a Safety-Net Hospital.

Limited data exist describing the influence of pharmacist-led transition of care (TOC) services in safety-net hospital settings. This analysis assessed the impact of pharmacist-led TOC services on hospital readmissions in a high-risk managed Medicaid population impacted by housing instability, substance use disorder (SUD), and mental health issues. A retrospective evaluation of patients who received safety-net hospital-based TOC pharmacy services between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, was conducted. Patients 18 years and older, insured by a select managed Medicaid plan, and admitted to an inpatient medicine service were included. Patients were excluded if they were admitted from or discharged to a facility or hospice, discharged before medically ready, or died within 30 days of discharge. Interventions included an initial visit, discharge medication delivery and education, and a post-discharge follow-up phone call within 24 to 72 hours. Patients were provided with a number to call for medication-related questions post-discharge. The primary outcome was 30-day hospital readmissions. Secondary outcomes included time to and reason for readmission and a description of TOC services. There were 292 patients engaged in pharmacist-led TOC services. Nearly 1 in 6 patients were experiencing homelessness and almost 40% were struggling with SUD during the index admission. The median readmission performance in the target population 6 months prior to TOC service implementation was 20.2% and fell to 12.3% post-intervention. Substance use disorder was the leading contributor to re-hospitalization, accounting for 58% of readmissions. Six (16.7%) readmissions were medication-related; 5 of 6 were complicated by SUD. There were no preventable medication-related readmissions. There are limitations to this study; not all patients received all TOC program components. Prospective, randomized-controlled studies are needed to show cause and effect. This evaluation suggests pharmacist-led TOC discharge services may lead to hospital readmission reduction in a socially complex managed Medicaid population in a safety-net hospital setting.

Multimodal strategies for the implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions - update of a systematic review for the WHO guidelines on core components of IPC programmes at the facility level.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a significant challenge worldwide, and the use of multimodal strategies is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to enhance infection prevention. To update the systematic review on facility-level infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions on the WHO Core Component of using multimodal strategies. Data Sources: Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane library. Randomized controlled studies (RCTs), interrupted time series (ITS), and before-after studies in acute care settings, from 24 November 2015 to 30 June 2023. Both paediatric and adult populations. IPC interventions implemented with at least three WHO multimodality elements. HAI, HAI caused by antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, and hand hygiene (HH) compliance.Assessment of Risk of Bias: Effective practice and organisation of care (EPOC) and integrated quality criteria for review of multiple study designs (ICROMS) tools.Methods of data Synthesis: Descriptive data synthesis. Of 5678 identified titles and abstracts, 32 publications were eligible for data extraction and analysis. Five non-controlled before-after studies (NCBA) were excluded due to an insufficient ICROMS score. Of the remaining 27 studies, nine reported on the effect of multimodal strategies to reduce device-associated HAIs, four on surgical site infections, eight on infections due to AMR and six on HH compliance. Eleven were controlled studies (RCTs or controlled before-after studies (CBAs)), nine ITS and seven NCBA studies. Twenty-two of the studies originated from high-income countries and the overall quality was medium to low. Twenty studies showed either significant HAI-reductions or HH improvement. Most studies demonstrate a significant effect on HAI prevention and HH improvement after applying a multimodal strategy. However, the quality of evidence remains low to moderate with few studies from low- or middle-income countries. Future research should focus on higher quality studies in resource limited settings.

Do community-based digital health inclusion programmes contribute to tackling health inequalities in disadvantaged population groups?: a qualitative study of experiences of a city-wide programme in the North of England

BackgroundAdvances in digital healthcare and health information provide benefits to the public. However, lack of digital skills together with access, confidence, trust and motivation issues present seemingly insurmountable barriers for many. Such digital health exclusion exacerbates existing health inequalities experienced by older people, people with less income, less education or who don’t have English as a first language. This study examines the role of a city-wide digital inclusion programme in the North of England, which works with Voluntary Sector Community Organisations (VCSOs) to provide digital support to disadvantaged communities (Digital Health Hubs). The aim was to explore if and how Digital Health Hubs contribute to tackling health inequalities, with a specific focus on impacts on service-users and how these impacts are produced.MethodsWe used qualitative semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences of service-users receiving digital support, and perspectives of staff working for organisations coordinating or providing digital support (n = 30).ResultsInductive thematic analysis was used to identify four major themes and mapped to ‘Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research’ constructs. These were: programme components, recipient-centred support, impacts on service-users and system-level barriers to digital health services. Findings suggest moderators of implementation are provision of community spaces, social activities and devices and Wi-fi, and recipient-centred support through community understanding, personalised regular support and trusting relationships. Impacts on service-users include improved social and emotional resilience and basic digital skills. Health system-level barriers to digital health services, such as inconsistency in service provision, were also identified.ConclusionsThemes highlight the importance of recipient-centred support by Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations (VCSOs) which centres the unique needs of specific communities. Our data provide policymakers with a model for implementation that could be replicated and scaled-up. Our data add to the public health, primary care and digital health research by proposing an initial programme theory for how Digital Health Hubs may reduce health inequalities, and recommendations for evaluation which consider short-, medium- and long-term outcomes, and contextual factors which are likely to be crucial to Digital Health Hubs’ effectiveness.

AI Can Be a Powerful Social Innovation for Public Health if Community Engagement Is at the Core.

There is a critical need for community engagement in the process of adopting artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in public health. Public health practitioners and researchers have historically innovated in areas like vaccination and sanitation but have been slower in adopting emerging technologies such as generative AI. However, with increasingly complex funding, programming, and research requirements, the field now faces a pivotal moment to enhance its agility and responsiveness to evolving health challenges. Participatory methods and community engagement are key components of many current public health programs and research. The field of public health is well positioned to ensure community engagement is part of AI technologies applied to population health issues. Without such engagement, the adoption of these technologies in public health may exclude significant portions of the population, particularly those with the fewest resources, with the potential to exacerbate health inequities. Risks to privacy and perpetuation of bias are more likely to be avoided if AI technologies in public health are designed with knowledge of community engagement, existing health disparities, and strategies for improving equity. This viewpoint proposes a multifaceted approach to ensure safer and more effective integration of AI in public health with the following call to action: (1) include the basics of AI technology in public health training and professional development; (2) use a community engagement approach to co-design AI technologies in public health; and (3) introduce governance and best practice mechanisms that can guide the use of AI in public health to prevent or mitigate potential harms. These actions will support the application of AI to varied public health domains through a framework for more transparent, responsive, and equitable use of this evolving technology, augmenting the work of public health practitioners and researchers to improve health outcomes while minimizing risks and unintended consequences.

A comprehensive survey of scoring functions for protein docking models

BackgroundWhile protein-protein docking is fundamental to our understanding of how proteins interact, scoring protein-protein complex conformations is a critical component of successful docking programs. Without accurate and efficient scoring functions to differentiate between native and non-native binding complexes, the accuracy of current docking tools cannot be guaranteed. Although many innovative scoring functions have been proposed, a good scoring function for docking remains elusive. Deep learning models offer alternatives to using explicit empirical or mathematical functions for scoring protein-protein complexes.ResultsIn this study, we perform a comprehensive survey of the state-of-the-art scoring functions by considering the most popular and highly performant approaches, both classical and deep learning-based, for scoring protein-protein complexes. The methods were also compared based on their runtime as it directly impacts their use in large-scale docking applications.ConclusionsWe evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of classical and deep learning-based approaches across seven public and popular datasets to aid researchers in understanding the progress made in this field.