Self-reported Practices Research Articles

Exploring Australian emergency department clinicians' knowledge, attitudes and adherence to the national peripheral intravenous catheter clinical care standard: A cross-sectional national survey.

This study aimed to (i) capture clinicians' knowledge, attitude and adherence to the first Australian national peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) Clinical Care Standard, (ii) examine the instrument performance of the knowledge related questions and (iii) explore the educational needs for, and barriers to, Standard adherence among Australian ED clinicians. A cross-sectional national online survey was conducted from March to June 2022, using a snowball sampling method. The survey used 5-point Likert scales and multiple-choice questions to capture respondents' knowledge, attitude and adherence to the Standard as well as the educational needs for, and barriers to, Standard adherence. In total, 433 ED nurses and doctors responded. Although nearly half (n = 206, 47.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 55.5-65.8) of respondents claimed that they were unfamiliar with the Standard, questions on PIVC knowledge yielded that most respondents had adequate knowledge of most of the key standards. Respondents' attitudes towards multiple intravenous insertion attempts and ongoing PIVC competency monitoring are not in agreement with the Standard. Self-reported practices regarding routine insertion of idle catheters (55%; 95% CI 49.9-59.9), using antecubital fossa as the first insertion site (84%; 95% CI 80-87), insertion without confidence (46%; 95% CI 41.2-51.1) and lack of routine reviewing the ongoing needs of PIVC (40%; 95% CI 35.3-45.1) were not aligned with the Standard. Unawareness of the Standard and non-practical recommendations were rated as the top barriers to Standard adherence. The findings of the survey suggest that the Standard may need modification to align with the needs of ED clinicians. Future studies need to explore the applicability and relevancy of some recommendations in the ED settings as they may cause low adherence to the Standard.

Food handlers’ knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practices regarding safe food handling in charitable food assistance programmes in the eThekwini District, South Africa: cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess food handlers’ knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practices towards safer donated foods.DesignThis cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2021.SettingThis study was conducted in the...

Missed opportunities for suicide prevention in teens with ADHD

Epidemiological evidence links Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to increased risk of suicide. The research aimed to describe awareness among primary care pediatricians (PCPs) of ADHD as a risk factor for suicide and PCPs’ practices of suicide risk assessment (SRA) and firearms safety assessment (FSA) in teens with ADHD. An online survey was conducted among residents and attendings (N =68, response rate 72%) at an academic medical center. An open-ended question asking respondents to list up to 10 suicide risk factors was followed by Likert-scale items measuring knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practice. Analysis of variance and Pearson correlations were used to assess relationships between physicians’ personal and practice parameters and their SRA and FSA practices. Unprompted, only two doctors mentioned ADHD as a risk factor for suicide. Respondents rated ADHD significantly lower than depression as a factor that would motivate them to perform a clinical assessment of suicide risk and firearm safety; 4.07 (1.62) v 6.49 (0.97), p<0.001 and 4.01 (1.87) v 6.19 (1.22), p<0.001, respectively. Study data set is limited to a single institution and the sample size is small. PCPs are unlikely to recognize ADHD as a risk factor for suicide, and are therefore unlikely to thoroughly assess and intervene to prevent suicide in teens with ADHD.

Few Runners Return to Running after Total Joint Arthroplasty, While Others Initiate Running

Introduction: This study examines self-reported running practices in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study of a multi-institutional database identified 4,462 primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total or partial knee arthroplasty (TKA/UKA) patients from June 2015 to June 2020. TJA patients completed an online survey capturing pre-TJA running experience and expectations, surgeon recommendations about return to running, postoperative characteristics, revision surgeries, and the Commitment to Exercise Scale and Brief Resilience Scale. Patient-reported follow-up reached 5 years. Logistic regression, the chi square test, and analysis of variance tests were used. Results: Five hundred forty-nine patients (12.2%) self-reported running preoperatively, and 65 patients (11.8%) returned to running after surgery. 67.2% were satisfied with their return to running. 40 patients (1.0%) who were not preoperative runners started running after TJA. Preoperative runners who returned to running had higher mean Brief Resilience Scale (3.9 ± 0.7) scores and the highest Commitment to Exercise Scale scores (46.5 ± 17.6, F[2,510] = 3.88, P = 0.02). Runners who returned to running had a 6.2% revision rate while those who did not run postoperatively had a 4.8% revision rate (P = 0.55). Surgeon recommendations included no return to running (29.5%), maintain low-impact activities (35.2%), return to preoperative levels (5.1%), and no recommendations (30.1%). Discussion: 12% of TJA preoperative runners returned to running, mostly within 1 year, and 67.2% were satisfied with their running ability.

Teacher Professional Learning: Using an Online Learning Study Model to Facilitate EFL Teachers’ Self-reported Practices and Cognitions about Brain-based Principles

Teacher Professional Learning: Using an Online Learning Study Model to Facilitate EFL Teachers’ Self-reported Practices and Cognitions about Brain-based Principles

Self-reported Knowledge and Practice of Saudi Dental Hygiene Students Towards the use of Chlorhexidine Mouthwash

Aim: To assess the knowledge and practice of Saudi dental hygiene students regarding the use of mouthwashes in clinical practice. Background: Mouthwashes are chemical plaque control agents which are widely used for the prevention of tooth decay, gaining fresh breath, reducing plaque and calculus formation, and reducing gingival inflammation. Chlorhexidine is considered a gold standard mouthwash because of its substantivity action. Thus, it is very important for dental practitioners to understand the knowledge and practices regarding the use of Chlorhexidine mouthwash Objective: The primary objective of this study was to find dental hygiene students’ knowledge about chlorhexidine mouthwash and its side effects and also identify their practice toward the use of mouthwashes as plaque inhibiting agents. Methods: An online version of a pre-tested and validated questionnaire was used to test the knowledge and practices towards the use of Chlorhexidine mouthwash. Thus, A Cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out in Saudi Arabia on dental hygiene students. Results: A total of 144 filled questionnaires were obtained out of which 88% were male and 12% were female. After converting the scores into percentages, any score &lt;60% was categorized as a poor score, 60-80% as an average score, and &gt;80% as a good score. Dental hygiene students showed an average knowledge about Chlorhexidine mouthwash with a score of 62.27% and also poor practice with a score of 57.98%. Conclusion: The findings of this cross-sectional study demonstrate that most of the Dental hygiene students in Saudi Arabia have got average knowledge and poor practice about the usage of Chlorhexidine mouthwash. Clinical Significance: Being the oral health care providers, it is mandatory for dental hygiene students to have adequate knowledge regarding the usage of mouthwashes. With optimum knowledge, they will be able to deliver the right information to the patients thereby ensuring the proper practice of the same.

Palestinian physicians' self-reported practice regarding antibiotic use for upper respiratory tract infections in primary healthcare.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial therapy knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary care physicians in the West Bank and Gaza. Between January and April 2021, this cross-sectional survey was conducted. A link to the online survey was sent via confidential email lists to 336 primary care physicians who treated patients in Ministry of Health clinics. The survey questions scoring system was devised in order to evaluate the physicians' practice, knowledge, and attitudes. Our scoring system identified favorable (good) and unfavorable (average and poor) antibiotic practices. In addition to independent t-test, the Chi-square test was used to compare the two groups of physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices with their background characteristics. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify potential confounding variables having significant relationships. Of the 336 distributed questionnaires, 316 were completed, with a response rate of 94%. More than half (54.7%) were males, half (51.6%) were between 30 and 45 years of age, and most were general practitioners (74.1%). The overall good knowledge and attitude scores were 125 (39.6%) and 194 (61.4%), respectively. More than half (58.2%) had good antibiotic prescription practices. Females reported significantly more favorable practices than males, as did family medicine specialists compared with general practitioners. Finally, knowledge about antibiotic prescriptions had a substantial impact on changing their practices. However, physicians' attitudes toward antibiotic prescriptions did not have a significant role in shaping their practices. Overuse of antibiotics is a significant health issue in Palestine and worldwide. Most physicians know that improper antibiotic usage can cause antimicrobial resistance. More than two-thirds avoided needless antimicrobial prescriptions. In practicing antimicrobial stewardship, most prescribed fewer antibiotics and did not prescribe because of patient pressure. Family medicine specialists, female doctors, and those with high knowledge scores regardless of caseload were more likely to have good practices.

Trilingualism, Education and Ethnic Language Subjectivities

ABSTRACT This study investigates the subjectivities of tertiary students in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR) of the People's Republic of China. Specifically, we investigate self-reported language practices and attitudes in relation to identities in a language ecology with three prominent languages (Zhuang, Standard Chinese [Putonghua], and English). This mixed methods study shows that despite the population size and some educational support, Zhuang language vitality is challenged through subjectivities linked to promotion of Putonghua and Zhuang specific factors (e.g. script and dialectal variations). In addition, the data show multiple interpretations of what mother tongue might mean to people in this region, including those of Zhuang ethnicity. The study leads to insights on multilingualism in this region. It also suggests that a language ecology approach is useful for understanding subjectivities as multifaceted, with multiple influences, helping us better understand why implementation of national policies or community supports on their own are insufficient for language maintenance efforts.

Development and implementation of a continuing medical education program on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease for primary care practitioners in Europe.

Primary care has a crucial role to play in the prevention, early detection, referral, and risk factor management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH). In 2021, a team of European collaborators developed a continuing medical education (CME) program on NAFLD/NASH that consolidates evidence and clinical best practices tailored to the primary care setting. This article reports on the methodology used to design and develop the CME and the results of a feasibility study. An expert advisory group representing both European specialists and general practitioners supported the design of the CME to be implemented in three European settings (Greece, Spain, and Netherlands). The CME features four training modules and problem-based learning using clinical case studies. The CME was tested regarding feasibility and acceptability among a sample of primary care providers (PCPs) in Greece (n = 28) with measurements occurring before, immediately after, and 1 month following the training. Outcome measures included satisfaction with the CME, changes in PCPs' knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and self-reported clinical practices related to NAFLD/NASH. The CME is available as an open-access e-learning course on the European Society for Primary Care Gastroenterology education platform in English, Greek, Spanish, and Dutch. The feasibility study documented high levels of satisfaction, with 96% of PCPs reporting they were extremely or very satisfied with the overall training. Statistically significant increases in PCPs' confidence in NAFLD/NASH-related clinical practices were documented between the pre- and post-assessments. At the follow-up, 62% of GPs reported that the CME had changed their clinical practices related to NAFLD/NASH to a great extent. This CME intervention developed by experts and tailored to PCPs in European settings may serve as an asset for increasing knowledge, confidence, and practice behaviors related to NAFLD/NASH.

Does Providing Story Books to Children Lead to an Improvement in Oral Hygiene in School Children: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Objective: To assess the effect of giving tooth brushing storybooks along with verbal oral hygiene (OHI) instructions on plaque levels to schoolchildren. Methodology: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in a private school in Islamabad from October to November 2022. Children in Class V were selected as the Experimental Group I (Storybooks + OHI), while Class IV children were placed in the Control Group II (OHI alone). There were 20 students in each group. Plaque levels were compared at the baseline (before intervention) and after seven days. Tooth brushing practices were recorded at the baseline. Quantitative variables, such as age and mean plaque score were reported as mean and standard deviation. Categorical variables such as gender and tooth brushing frequency were described as frequencies and percentages. Results: The mean age of the children was 9.6 + 1.08 years. A total of 16 (40%) boys and 24 (60%) girls were included in the study. Children in Group II had significantly better self-reported tooth brushing practices with 16 (80%) children brushing twice a day, as compared to 10 (50%) children from Group I (p = 0.041). There was no difference in the reduction in plaque scores between group I (0.14 + 0.21) and group II (0.08 + 0.21; p = 0.382). Conclusion: Giving story books to children is not an effective intervention to improve the oral hygiene status of children, as compared to oral hygiene instructions alone.

Self-reported Knowledge and Practice of Saudi Dental Hygiene Students Towards the use of Chlorhexidine Mouthwash

Aim: To assess the knowledge and practice of Saudi dental hygiene students regarding the use of mouthwashes in clinical practice. Background: Mouthwashes are chemical plaque control agents which are widely used for the prevention of tooth decay, gaining fresh breath, reducing plaque and calculus formation, and reducing gingival inflammation. Chlorhexidine is considered a gold standard mouthwash because of its substantivity action. Thus, it is very important for dental practitioners to understand the knowledge and practices regarding the use of Chlorhexidine mouthwash Objective: The primary objective of this study was to find dental hygiene students’ knowledge about chlorhexidine mouthwash and its side effects and also identify their practice toward the use of mouthwashes as plaque inhibiting agents. Methods: An online version of a pre-tested and validated questionnaire was used to test the knowledge and practices towards the use of Chlorhexidine mouthwash. Thus, A Cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out in Saudi Arabia on dental hygiene students. Results: A total of 144 filled questionnaires were obtained out of which 88% were male and 12% were female. After converting the scores into percentages, any score &lt;60% was categorized as a poor score, 60-80% as an average score, and &gt;80% as a good score. Dental hygiene students showed an average knowledge about Chlorhexidine mouthwash with a score of 62.27% and also poor practice with a score of 57.98%. Conclusion: The findings of this Cross-sectional study demonstrate that most of the Dental hygiene students in Saudi Arabia have got average knowledge and poor practice about the usage of Chlorhexidine mouthwash. Clinical Significance: Being the oral health care providers, it is mandatory for dental hygiene students to have adequate knowledge regarding the usage of mouthwashes. With optimum knowledge, they will be able to deliver the right information to the patients thereby ensuring the proper practice of the same.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of infection prevention and control among healthcare workers during the COVID 19 pandemic: a descriptive cross-sectional study in three Nigerian states

BackgroundEmergence of the COVID-19 pandemic created unexpected challenges for health care workers. The global and national supply chain system was disrupted, and affected infection, prevention and control (IPC) practices. This study aimed at documenting health workers knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on IPC in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe descriptive, mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted in Ebonyi, Ondo and Niger states in October 2020. A structured questionnaire was administered to the health workers, complemented by semi-structured interviews that were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed in Atlas.ti. Quantitative data were entered into REDCap and cleaned, transformed and analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS version 25.0 Findings from the qualitative interviews were used to explain the trends observed from quantitative study.ResultsThere were demographic differences between community and facility-based health workers in our population. A greater proportion of facility-based providers reported having IPC training compared to community-based health workers ever (p < 0.01) and during the pandemic (p < 0.05). Health care workers had moderate knowledge of general IPC, and attitudes toward and practice of IPC during COVID-19 pandemic. However, the knowledge of the relative effectiveness of prevention measures was low. The mean knowledge scores were greater among facility-based workers compared to community based healthcare workers (p = 0.001). Self-reported IPC practices increased during the pandemic compared to prior to the pandemic, with the exception of the use of N-95 masks and hand sanitizer.ConclusionThis study found moderate IPC knowledge, attitudes and practices in our study population during the pandemic as compared to pre-pandemic for the study found gaps in correct hand hygienevaried application of different IPC practices to ensure adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. The study recommends sustained training for IPC and encourages policy makers that budget line specific to COVID-19 response across all the levels of health care delivery will enhance compliance and emergency readiness.

Effectiveness of structured self-evaluation of video recorded performance on peripheral intravenous catheter insertion: a randomised control trial study protocol

BackgroundClinical psychomotor skills training is a core component of undergraduate nursing education. Performing technical skills competently involves the use of cognitive and motor function. The training of these technical skills is typically carried out in clinical simulation laboratories. Peripheral intravenous catheter/cannula insertion is an example of a technical skill. It is the most common invasive procedure performed in the healthcare environment. Owing to unacceptable clinical risk and complications to patients, it is imperative that practitioners performing these skills are trained effectively to provide patients with best practice and high-quality care. Technologies identified as innovative teaching methods to help train students in this skill and in the skill of venepuncture include virtual reality, hypermedia and simulators. However, little high-quality evidence exists to confirm such educational approaches are effective.Methods/designThis study is a single-centre, non-blinded, two-group, pre-test and post-test randomised control trial. The randomised control trial will investigate whether a formal structured self-evaluation of videoed performance (experimental group) has an impact on nursing students’ peripheral intravenous cannulation knowledge, performance and confidence. The control group will also be videoed performing the skill but they will not view or self-evaluate their videoed performance. The peripheral intravenous cannulation procedures will be carried out in a clinical simulation laboratory using a task trainer. The data collection tools will be completed online using survey forms. Students will be randomised into the experimental group or into the control group using simple random sampling. The primary outcome measures the nursing students’ knowledge level of the skill of peripheral intravenous cannulation insertion. Secondary outcomes evaluate procedural competence and self-reported confidence and practices in the clinical environment.DiscussionThis randomised control trial will investigate whether this pedagogical approach, using video modelling and self-evaluation, will positively influence students’ knowledge, confidence and performance in the skill of peripheral intravenous cannulation. Evaluating such teaching strategies using stringent methodologies may be impactful in influencing the training provided to healthcare practitioners.Trial registrationThe randomised control trial detailed in this article is an educational research study and so does not fall under the ICMJE definition of a clinical trial as “any research project that prospectively assigns people or a group of people to an intervention, with or without concurrent comparison or control groups, to study the relationship between a health-related intervention and a health outcome”.

Public health detailing to increase naloxone access in NYC pharmacies

BackgroundDrug overdose is a public health crisis in the United States. Opioid overdose deaths are preventable using naloxone, an opioid antagonist that reverses the effect of an opioid and prevents fatal overdose. ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate changes in naloxone standing order status, attitudes, and practice behavior after an 8-week public health detailing campaign on increasing naloxone access conducted among pharmacists in independent pharmacies in New York City (NYC). MethodsCampaign recommendations were to (1) enroll in the NYC pharmacy naloxone standing order program, (2) offer naloxone to at-risk patients, and (3) educate patients on how to use naloxone. Evaluation was performed using initial and follow-up surveys administered to pharmacists during detailing visits and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene data on pharmacies in the standing order program. ResultsDetailing visits were completed with 1153 pharmacists; follow-up visits were completed with 457 (40%). Self-reported attitudes and practice behavior related to the 3 campaign recommendations improved (P < 0.01). After the campaign, 519 new pharmacies enrolled in the standing order program. ConclusionsThe detailing campaign substantially increased the number of pharmacies enrolled in the standing order program and was associated with improved attitudes and practice behavior related to naloxone provision to varying degrees. Other jurisdictions could consider detailing pharmacists as a strategy to increase naloxone access.

Literacy Intervention in Secondary Schools Exploring Educators’ Beliefs and Practices about Supporting Adolescents’ Literacy Learning

There is a need to better understand the complex landscape of adolescent literacy intervention as a shared responsibility across all educational stakeholders. To address this need, we examined the self-reported literacy beliefs and practices about secondary readers and literacy intervention among a group of educators (including administrators, teachers, and specialists) who participated in a year-long professional learning series focused on providing adolescents with rich and responsive literacy learning opportunities. We found that educators’ beliefs and practices shifted as they developed shared understandings of asset-based mindsets and ways of supporting students’ situated literacy learning and comprehension within disciplinary contexts. We offer suggestions for how to create shared learning opportunities for educators across roles and discuss implications for future research.

Consumer attitudes and perceptions towards chilled ready-to-eat foods: a multi-national study.

Understanding consumers' behavior and their handling of high-risk foods at home is essential for reducing the number of foodborne illnesses. This study shows the results of a cross-national analysis of consumers' perception from nine countries, and the identification of customers' clusters and its characteristics in order to understand customers' behavior, and to build safe chilled ready-to-eat (RTE) foods prevention strategies. The cluster analysis resulted in two clusters: (1) "Precautious consumers" characterized by the orientation towards pre-packed RTE foods, with consumers mainly coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina, India, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey. Their attitudes and self-reported practices may be categorized as less risky in terms of food-borne illnesses connected with the consumption of RTE foods; (2) "Unconcerned consumers" preferred cutting and slicing RTE foods freshly at the point of purchase, usually sold at the delicatessen department in a supermarket or at open markets. Those consumers mostly came from Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia and their attitudes and self-reported practices were riskier. These results allow a better understating of what characterizes consumers of RTE foods in different countries.

Do Physical Therapists Practice a Behavioral Medicine Approach? A Comparison of Perceived and Observed Practice Behaviors.

A behavioral medicine approach, incorporating a biopsychosocial view and behavior change techniques, is recommended in physical therapy for the management of musculoskeletal pain. However, little is known about physical therapists' actual practice behavior regarding the behavioral medicine approach. The aim of this study was to examine how physical therapists in primary health care judge their own practice behavior of a behavioral medicine approach in the assessment and treatment of patients with persistent musculoskeletal pain versus how they practice a behavioral medicine approach as observed by independent experts in video recordings of patient consultations. A prospective cohort study was conducted. Video recordings of 23 physical therapists' clinical behavior in 139 patient consultations were observed by independent experts and compared with the physical therapists' self-reported practice behavior, using a protocol including 24 clinical behaviors. The difference between observed and self-reported clinical behaviors was analyzed with a Chi-square test and a Fisher exact test. The behavioral medicine approach was, in general, practiced to a small extent and half of the self-reported clinical behaviors were overestimated when compared with the observed behaviors. According to the observations, the physical perspective dominated in assessment and treatment, the functional behavioral analysis was never performed, and the mean number of behavior change techniques used was 0.7. There was a discrepancy between how physical therapists perceived the extent to which they practiced a behavioral medicine approach in their clinical behavior compared with what the independent researchers observed in the video recordings. This study demonstrates the importance of using observations instead of using self-reports when evaluating professionals' clinical behavior. The results also suggest that-to ensure that physical therapy integrates the biopsychosocial model of health-physical therapists need to increase their focus on psychosocial factors in clinical practice.

Constructing identity through code choice and code-switching

Abstract With the presence of Catalan, Spanish, and a variety of migrant languages, multilingualism in Catalonia extends across the region and is a regular practice for native-born and migrant residents alike. This study examines language use and its relationship to identity construction among first and second-generation Muslim women immigrants in Barcelona. Data was collected from 34 female informants in Barcelona, all of whom identified as first or second-generation Muslim. Data consisted of questionnaires and interviews which were designed to learn about the informants’ linguistic background as well as the extent to which they used Spanish, Catalan and their native/heritage language(s). As a further case study, specific instances of code-switching among the South Asian Urdu-speaking informants were examined. Results point to a generational divide in terms of domains of use. However, informants demonstrated a greater tendency towards multilingual language use rather than restricting themselves to single language use in specific domains, a reflection of informants’ self-reported code-switching practices, which were found to be a widely accepted communicative tool that serves an array of socio-pragmatic functions.

Abstract P4-07-09: Identifying Drivers of First-Line HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment Choices

Abstract Background: Despite demonstrated clinical benefits of first line (1L) cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) and their preferred status in the NCCN guidelines, many appropriate patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in the United States (US) may still receive chemotherapy or endocrine monotherapy. US oncologists may consider treatment expectations, patient clinical characteristics, and non-clinical factors (e.g., cost, anticipated adherence) when selecting 1L mBC treatment regimens. However, little is known about how prevalent these decision factors are among US oncologists. Comprehensively understanding the decision-making process in 1L treatment selection is a critical step towards ensuring equitable care for patients with HR+/HER2- mBC. Objective: To describe self-reported clinical and non-clinical factors considered by US oncologists in selection of 1L treatment for HR+/HER2- mBC. Methods: Data were collected through from an anonymous cross-sectional online survey from a convenience sample of US oncologists from August-October 2021. Eligible oncologists were board certified, in practice 2-30 years, ≥50% of time spent in direct patient care, and managed ≥5 1L patients with HR+/HER2- mBC in past 3 months. Respondents were sampled from a national research database of physicians sourced from multiple databases (e.g., American Medical Association Physician Masterfile). The survey captured self-reported demographic and practice characteristics and reported importance of the following factors in selecting 1L treatment for patients with HR+/HER2-mBC: anticipated treatment efficacy and safety, patient demographics, and clinical and non-clinical characteristics. Study variables were summarized via descriptive statistics. Correlation analyses evaluated associations between patient demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment expectations, and non-clinical characteristics and oncologists’ self-reported 1L prescribing rates of CDK4/6i, aromatase inhibitor (AI) monotherapy, and chemotherapy. Results: 250 oncologists participated; 67% from community practice and the remainder from academic institutions (Table 1). Anticipated treatment efficacy and safety/tolerability were ranked as the most important factor considered by oncologists when selecting 1L treatments. 1L CDK4/6i prescribing was most strongly correlated with patient Medicare eligibility (r, 0.54, p&amp;lt; 0.05) and postmenopausal status (r, 0.67, p&amp;lt; 0.05). 1L chemotherapy prescribing was most strongly correlated with patient premenopausal status (r, 0.42, p&amp;lt; 0.05) and perimenopausal status (r, 0.31, p&amp;lt; 0.05), and physician consideration for patient symptom burden (r, 0.31, p&amp;lt; 0.05). 1L AI monotherapy prescribing was most strongly correlated with concerns with expected patient compliance to treatment (r, 0.42, p&amp;lt; 0.05) and patient cost/logistical challenges (r, 0.41, p&amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusion: This study found a variety of patient, clinical, and non-clinical factors may underlie US oncologists’ selection of 1L treatment for HR+/HER2- mBC. Anticipated efficacy and safety/tolerability were reported as the most important factors in 1L treatment decisions. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and considerations for cost and compliance challenges varied in association with 1L CDK4/6i, chemotherapy, and AI monotherapy prescribing patterns among US oncologists. Table 1. Oncologist Demographic and Practice Characteristics Citation Format: Adam M. Brufsky, Martine C. Maculaitis, Lewis Kopenhafer, Patrick Olsen, Ashley S. Cha, Lillian Shahied Arruda, Wendy Heck, Samantha K. Kurosky. Identifying Drivers of First-Line HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment Choices [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-07-09.

Consumer practices and perceptions regarding the purchasing and handling of microgreens in the United States

Microgreens are a specialty crop which have gained popularity due to their sensory attributes as well as bioactive components. The age (10–14 days from seeding) and size (1–3 inches in height) at which microgreens are harvested distinguish them from other leafy greens. This study aimed to characterize microgreen consumers and determine their knowledge, attitude, and self-reported practices related to microgreens and food safety. A 39-item survey was launched in the U.S. via Qualtrics™ to collect data from April 29th to May 14th, 2021. Data were collected pertaining to consent, eligibility, consumption, purchase, storage, washing, food safety perception, and demographics. Descriptive statistics were performed on all variables to determine frequencies and distribution. Data were collected from qualified individuals (n = 660) across 50 states with an average 9-minute completion time. Participants were mostly aged 30–39, with a bachelor's degree, and annual income of $75,000–149,999. Approximately one-half of respondents (50.5%) consumed microgreens 1–2 times per week and stored them 6 days or less (80.3%) prior to consumption. Consumers were confident in their ability to safely store and handle microgreens safely 38.9 and 39.8% of the time, respectively, and nearly three-quarters (71.3%) of all consumers washed microgreens. Consumers were mostly ambiguous on whether eating microgreens could result in foodborne illness (24.7%) and felt that microgreens were as safe as fresh produce (37.9%) in general. The results demonstrated that most microgreens consumers exhibit safe practices during the storage and handling of microgreens. However, there was a disconnection between the reported practices and confidence in related knowledge. As most respondents also did not know the difference between a microgreen and a sprout, consumer outreach should address different aspects of microgreens as compared to other produce as well as their associated food safety risks. • Microgreens consumers overall report safe food handling practices. • Many consumers lack clarity on the difference between microgreens and sprouts. • There is a disconnect between reported practices and knowledge.