Professional Support Research Articles

Psycho-Social Factors Influencing Exclusive Breastfeeding Among the Primigravida Mothers at a Public Hospital in the uGu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Primigravidae, first-time mothers are generally inexperienced at motherhood, which affects breastfeeding initiation and intent. Therefore, they need frequent professional and social support that must be clinical and practical for successful exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) outcomes. The study aimed to qualitatively explore the psychosocial factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding among primigravida mothers at a public hospital in the uGu District, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. A qualitative phenomenological and explorative research methodology was used to conduct the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 purposive sampled primigravida mothers from the postpartum ward from day one today to four post-delivery. Data was collected until saturation was reached. Based on Bandura's Self-Efficacy and Social Cognitive Theoretical Framework, the study has shown that personal, social, and environmental factors strongly influence maternal attitudes toward breastfeeding efficacy. Five significant themes that emerged from the data analysis were (a) factors influencing maternal self-efficacy, (b) challenges to EBF, (c) cultural influence on EBF, (d) the role of support systems to EBF, and (e) breastfeeding support strategies. The study showed that stakeholders need to apply critical clinical interventions if South Africa reaches the global nutritional target of 50% EBF by 2025. These include healthcare workers (HCWs), Policymakers, Employers, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Department of Labour, and the Department of Social Services. Access to child support grants, social services, ARVs through mobile clinic services, and frequent face-to-face antenatal care were among the study's recommendations to address doubts, fears, and anxieties around EBF intent, practice, and duration.

Exploring the fear of clinical errors: associations with socio-demographic, professional, burnout, and mental health factors in healthcare workers - A nationwide cross-sectional study.

The fear of clinical errors among healthcare workers (HCW) is an understudied aspect of patient safety. This study aims to describe this phenomenon among HCW and identify associated socio-demographic, professional, burnout and mental health factors. We conducted a nationwide, online, cross-sectional study targeting HCW in France from May to June 2021. Recruitment was through social networks, professional networks, and email invitations. To assess the fear of making clinical errors, HCW were asked: "During your daily activities, how often are you afraid of making a professional error that could jeopardize patient safety?" Responses were collected on a 7-point Likert-type scale. HCW were categorized into "High Fear" for those who reported experiencing fear frequently ("once a week," "a few times a week," or "every day"), vs. "Low Fear" for less often. We used multivariate logistic regression to analyze associations between fear of clinical errors and various factors, including sociodemographic, professional, burnout, and mental health. Structural equation modeling was used to explore how this fear fits into a comprehensive theoretical framework. We recruited a total of 10,325 HCW, of whom 25.9% reported "High Fear" (95% CI: 25.0-26.7%). Multivariate analysis revealed higher odds of "High Fear" among males, younger individuals, and those with less professional experience. High fear was more notable among physicians and nurses, and those working in critical care and surgery, on night shifts or with irregular schedules. Significant associations were found between "High Fear" and burnout, low professional support, major depressive disorder, and sleep disorders. Fear of clinical errors is associated with factors that also influence patient safety, highlighting the importance of this experience. Incorporating this dimension into patient safety culture assessment could provide valuable insights and could inform ways to proactively enhance patient safety.

A Healthful Plant-Based Diet as an Alternative Dietary Approach in the Management of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Plant-based diets (PBDs) are gaining attention as a sustainable and health-conscious alternative for managing various chronic conditions, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). In the absence of pharmacological treatments, exploring the potential of lifestyle modifications to improve biochemical and pathological outcomes becomes crucial. The adoption of PBDs has demonstrated beneficial effects such as weight control, increased metabolic health and improved coexisting diseases. Nonetheless, challenges persist, including adherence difficulties, ensuring nutritional adequacy, and addressing potential deficiencies. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the impact of PBDs on MASLD, emphasizing the need for tailored dietary interventions with professional support to optimize their effectiveness in preventing and treating metabolic diseases.

Establishing Best Practices in Telehealth Care for Adults with Developmental Disabilities in the United States: An e-Delphi Study.

Background: Telehealth care is now a key element of mainstream health care since the COVID-19 pandemic, with all types of health care providers joining the digital revolution. As a population experiencing health care disparities, adults with developmental disabilities and their supporters have described variable experiences with telehealth care that contribute to overall care quality and health outcomes. Methods: This e-Delphi study established consensus on best practices in telehealth care for adults with developmental disabilities in the United States. Online surveys and videoconferencing interviews were conducted with 44 expert panelists with experience with telehealth care and developmental disabilities, including adults with developmental disabilities, family members, direct support professionals, nurses, and health care providers. Results: Three rounds of surveys resulted in a set of 9 guidelines consisting of 42 items. The guidelines addressed 1) appropriate situations for telehealth care, 2) communication needs and preferences, 3) support person collaboration, 4) education and anticipatory guidance, 5) reminders, 6) coordination of care, 7) equitable and fair access, 8) privacy and safety, and 9) evidence-based practice. Conclusion: Health care providers can adopt these best practice guidelines to ensure telehealth care is provided equitably and safely to adults with developmental disabilities. Policy advocacy is needed for the uptake of these guidelines and for health care providers and adults with developmental disabilities to access the resources needed for safe and effective telehealth care use.

Developing a coordinated response to chemsex across health, justice and social care settings: expert consensus statement.

Chemsex occurs primarily among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), and there is evidence of a subgroup of users who carry out chemsex-related criminal offences and experience harm. Challenges with chemsex can present to various settings; there are concerns that harm is increasing, including at interfaces between health, social care and criminal justice systems. The UK response to date has lacked a coordinated approach. An expert reference group was convened to share chemsex knowledge, articulate priorities for research and pathway development, and foster collaborative working between agencies. It made three key recommendations: develop and increase training and awareness across all services; implement a coordinated research programme with the development of a common data-set and assessment tool to fully characterise population-level needs; develop a professional network to share information, provide professional support and act as a knowledge hub. There was support for a unified multi-agency strategy incorporating the priorities identified as overarching principles.

Partner and professional support are associated with father-infant bonding: A cross-sectional analysis of mothers, midwives, and child health nurses’ influence on primiparous and multiparous fathers of infants in Sweden

ObjectiveTo assess if received professional and social support are associated with father-infant bonding among primiparous (first-time) and multiparous (multi-time) fathers. BackgroundEarly father-infant bonding predicts several positive child outcomes. However, while received professional and social support positively impacts fathers’ transition into parenthood, little research has tested if these factors are associated with a stronger father-infant bond. MethodsIn total, 499 fathers (296 primiparous and 203 multiparous) of infants (aged 0–12 months) completed a cross-sectional online survey between November 2018 and March 2020. The survey included items related to socio-demographics, having a planned pregnancy, postnatal midwifery support, child health nurse support, child health center attendance, and social support. The parent-infant bonding questionnaire (PBQ) was used to assess the father-infant bond. Multiple linear regression models were estimated for the total sample and based on paternal parity. Missing data were managed through multiple imputation procedures. FindingsFathers reported fewer bonding disturbances if they received support from their partners, postnatal midwives, child health nurses, and attended more child health visits. Primiparous fathers reported fewer bonding disturbances when receiving support from their partners, postnatal midwives, and the child health nurse. However, multiparous fathers had more bonding disturbances than primiparous fathers and received less professional and partner support. ConclusionsReceiving more partner and professional support is associated with less father-infant bonding disturbances. To encourage a better father-infant bond, clinicians should invite and support all fathers, regardless of parity, as they transition to parenthood.

Views, Attitudes and Challenges When Supporting a Family Member in Their Decision to Travel to Switzerland to Receive Aid-In-Dying.

Exploring the experiences, perceptions and meanings of family members and close friends of Israeli individuals who sought aid-in-dying outside Israel. Using the phenomenological-interpretive approach, a qualitative research design was employed, based on ten in-depth semi-structured interviews with Israelis who had provided support for a relative who embarked on suicide tourism. The following five themes emerged from interviews: (1) facilitators for supporting an individual requesting suicide tourism; (2) choosing death and actively making the decision to die; (3) the meaning of traveling to die; (4) offering support throughout the process; and (5) facilitating procedures after death. The participants spoke of the active role that they played in their relative's suicide-tourism journey. They conveyed conflicting emotions and values regarding the decision at hand, the ability to say goodbye thanks to their pre-planned death, helping to reduce their suffering and burden, and dealing with the challenge of disclosing the deceased's plans, before and after the act, as well as their own involvement in the process. Relatives of suicide-tourism patients should receive professional support during and following this difficult process.

Novice nurse educator professional learning and teaching at a transnational nursing campus: A case study

AimThis study aimed to explore how novice nurse educators are supported in cultivating an understanding of teaching and learning as they become educators in higher education, how they understand their roles as nursing educators and to identify the opportunities and challenges in developing pedagogical content knowledge experienced at one transnational nursing campus is Qatar. BackgroundNovice nurse educators are frequently employed to begin educator roles because of their specialised clinical backgrounds and experiences. Yet, they often have little or no formal education regarding educational pedagogy and current teaching practices. These professional learning needs can be difficult to navigate and contribute to a challenging new role. Novice nurse educators often describe a need for more confidence in their teaching practices and understanding of their limitations and knowledge gaps regarding teaching and learning. Although research and policy emphasise the need for well-trained nurse educators with the appropriate education and knowledge to teach in post-secondary academic settings, nursing education still struggles with inconsistent approaches to recruitment and inadequate support for professional development, raising ongoing concerns. DesignA qualitative case study was used for this study. MethodsFour methods were used to collect data: teaching artifact collection, individual guided reflective questions, one-on-one interviews and observational notes. Seven novice nurse educators participated in this study. Data analysis was done using cycle coding to identify themes. ResultsThree themes related to novice nurse educators' professional development include 1) initial and ongoing preparation, 2) professional learning and support needed during transitions into educator roles and 3) barriers to novice nurse educator professional learning. ConclusionsNovice nurse educators may have significant professional learning needs as they begin new roles. It is essential to ensure that thoughtful and well-designed onboarding processes includes an early introduction to professional development while offering ongoing professional learning opportunities. Novice nurse educators will draw on various supports as they start their new roles. Developing well-rounded teaching practices and pedagogical content knowledge is difficult while navigating a full teaching load. Therefore, workload adjustments early in novice nurse educators' careers will allow time for professional development.

Experience of nurses in Caring for patients with COVID-19: A descriptive qualitative study

IntroductionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had a significant impact on nursing practice. Managing a wide range of patients, with those ranging from mild infection to those with critical illness requiring mechanical ventilation, posed unprecedent challenges to nurses. MethodThe aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of nurses in caring for patients with COVID-19. We adopted a qualitative descriptive design to study the experiences of nurses regarding the management of patients with COVID-19. The study was conducted among ten nurses who were involved in the care of COVID-19 patients at a tertiary care teaching hospital in south-east India. The data were analyzed using the Braun and Clarke thematic analysis method. ResultsThe study participants consisted of 8 female and 2 male nurses and were in the age group of 22–31 years. Five major themes emerged during data analysis. The themes were 1. personal problems, 2. challenges in the work environment, 3. professional preparedness, 4. support systems and 5. satisfaction with patient care. ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the lives of nurses. Nurses faced a plethora of problems and challenges while taking care of people with COVID-19. Nurses experienced personal problems, including fear of contracting illness and social stigma. There were various challenges in the work environment, such as difficulties in using personal protective equipment. The other major themes were professional preparedness, support systems and satisfaction with patient care. It is essential to acknowledge that continuous training is essential and that adequate provision of facilities can enhance the morale of nurses, resulting in better job satisfaction.

Supporting Local Public Health and Planning Professionals to Implement Built Environment Changes: A Technical Assistance Program to Promote Physical Activity in Texas.

Built environment approaches that improve active transportation infrastructure and environmental design can increase physical activity. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Texas Department of State Health Services rejuvenated the Texas Plan4Health program from 2018 to 2023 to expand such approaches in Texas by providing technical assistance to teams of local public health professionals and planners to identify and implement projects connecting people to everyday destinations via active transport in their communities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Texas Plan4Health to modify the delivery of technical assistance to accommodate restrictions on travel and in-person gatherings. We used qualitative methods to conduct a postintervention process evaluation to describe the modified technical assistance process, understand the experiences of the 4 participating communities, and identify short-term outcomes and lessons learned. Texas Plan4Health helped communities overcome common barriers to built environment change, facilitated collaboration across community public health and planning professionals, and educated professionals about active transportation infrastructure and the relationship between their disciplines, thereby increasing community capacity to implement built environment improvements. This outcome, however, was mediated by the pre-existing resources and previous experiences with active transportation planning among the participating communities. Public health practitioners seeking to improve active transportation infrastructure and environmental design for physical activity should consider community-engaged approaches that advance partnership-building and collaborative experiential education among public health, planning, and other local government representatives, directing particular attention and additional training toward communities with fewer resources.

Risk factors and service gaps affecting a sustainable work: a qualitative multi-stakeholder analysis in the context of persons with acquired brain injury living in Switzerland

IntroductionAlong with the social and economic challenges posed by an aging society, creating work conditions that allow persons to stay healthy and work into old age has become a major task of Western societies. Retaining employment after returning to work is particularly difficult for individuals with a disability, as evidenced by the high rate of premature labor market dropout. Individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) exemplify this challenge, as it often impairs cognitive, technical, and interpersonal abilities that are crucial in today’s labor market. To effectively support these individuals, vocational integration practitioners require comprehensive knowledge of risk factors for premature labor market dropout and effective strategies for sustainable work.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify perceived risk factors and related service gaps regarding sustainable work for people with ABI, as reported by affected individuals, employers, vocational integration professionals, and health professionals.MethodsSecondary data analysis. Data that was originally collected through seven focus groups and two interviews with persons with ABI, 15 interviews with employers, and 13 interviews with vocational integration and health professionals in the context of the project ‘Sustainable employment’ was re-analysed thematically.ResultsTwo major themes of risk factors were identified: (1) person-related factors (including the subthemes: post-ABI impairments; lack of understanding of post-ABI impairments; poor health management) and (2) environment-related factors (including the subthemes: challenges related to the service structure; insufficient knowledge and education about ABI; challenges at the workplace; difficulties in private life). While stakeholders noted the variety of the currently available services, they particularly pointed to the missing long-term monitoring and counseling services for persons with ABI following the initial return-to-work, reflecting a major challenge for sustainable work. An overarching gap related to the fragmentation of the service structure and the lack of case coordination along the working life.ConclusionsMultiple stakeholders emphasized the importance of empowering individuals, ensuring easy access to professional support, and providing a suitable work environment to address key risk factors and facilitate sustainable work for individuals with ABI. Continuous coaching, long-term monitoring and counseling following return-to-work, were identified as potential strategies to achieve these goals.

Analysis and Design of a Web-Based Counseling Guidance Management Information System at ABC High School

Counseling is a professional support process aimed at helping individuals or groups overcome various personal, emotional, social, or psychological problems. This process involves trained counselors who utilize specialized techniques to provide guidance, support, and advice, facilitating better coping mechanisms and overall well-being. Given the critical role of counseling in fostering mental health and personal development, it is essential to continually improve and enhance counseling services for students. By doing so, counselors can ensure they are providing the most effective and comprehensive support possible. At present, SMA ABC relies on traditional methods such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel to record and store data related to counseling and guidance. While functional, these tools are not optimized for the dynamic and multifaceted nature of counseling work. This traditional approach can be time-consuming and prone to errors, hindering the efficiency and effectiveness of the counseling services provided to students. To address these challenges, a web-based management information system is needed. Such a system would streamline the process of recording, storing, and retrieving information, enabling counselors to complete their tasks more quickly, accurately, and on time. A well-designed web-based system would also facilitate better data analysis and reporting. The development of this system will use the waterfall method, a systematic and sequential approach to software development. This method ensures that all data and information related to the counseling procedures and the system's technical implementation are thoroughly processed and accurately integrated, resulting in a reliable and efficient management tool.

Intelligent extraction of reservoir dispatching information integrating large language model and structured prompts

Reservoir dispatching regulations are a crucial basis for reservoir operation, and using information extraction technology to extract entities and relationships from heterogeneous texts to form triples can provide structured knowledge support for professionals in making dispatch decisions and intelligent recommendations. Current information extraction technologies require manual data labeling, consuming a significant amount of time. As the number of dispatch rules increases, this method cannot meet the need for timely generation of dispatch plans during emergency flood control periods. Furthermore, utilizing natural language prompts to guide large language models in completing reservoir dispatch extraction tasks also presents challenges of cognitive load and instability in model output. Therefore, this paper proposes an entity and relationship extraction method for reservoir dispatch based on structured prompt language. Initially, a variety of labels are refined according to the extraction tasks, then organized and defined using the Backus–Naur Form (BNF) to create a structured format, thus better guiding large language models in the extraction work. Moreover, an AI agent based on this method has been developed to facilitate operation by dispatch professionals, allowing for the quick acquisition of structured data. Experimental verification has shown that, in the task of extracting entities and relationships for reservoir dispatch, this AI agent not only effectively reduces cognitive burden and the impact of instability in model output but also demonstrates high extraction performance (with F1 scores for extracting entities and relationships both above 80%), offering a new solution approach for knowledge extraction tasks in other water resource fields.

Extension Professionals Support Agricultural Education Career Awareness

Extension Professionals Support Agricultural Education Career Awareness

Transformative Pedagogies: Innovations in 21st Century Education

This study investigates the impact of transformative pedagogies on language teaching, focusing on improvements in language proficiency, critical thinking skills, and intercultural competence among learners. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through surveys, interviews, and classroom observations. The findings reveal that students exposed to transformative pedagogies demonstrated a 20% increase in language proficiency test scores and enhanced critical thinking abilities. Additionally, these students reported greater confidence and capability in engaging with diverse cultural contexts. The study highlights the need for professional development and institutional support to effectively implement these pedagogies. Future research should explore larger-scale and longitudinal studies to further validate these findings and identify best practices for transformative pedagogy in language education.

Social Appearance Anxiety, Self-Esteem, and Life Satisfaction Relationship in Individuals Who Have Undergone Aesthetic Procedures

Objective: The study aims to determine the relationship between social appearance anxiety, self-esteem, and life satisfaction of individuals who have had aesthetic procedures. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on individuals who applied to a private clinic in Samsun. The study involved 284 people who received aesthetic surgery services. The data of the study were collected online between August 2022 and October 2022. Study data were collected by questionnaire forms prepared on Google Forms. Study data were collected through four forms, namely, the personal introduction form, social appearance anxiety scale, life satisfaction scale, and Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Results: As a result of the study, there is a significant negative relationship between life satisfaction and social appearance anxiety (r=-0.393). There is a weak positive correlation between social appearance anxiety and self-esteem (r=0.168). There is a weak negative relationship between life satisfaction and self-esteem (r=-0.173). Conclusion: It has been determined that individuals with high social appearance anxiety have low life satisfaction. It may be appropriate for individuals with high social appearance anxiety to receive professional support to improve their quality of life.

Enhancing Disability Nursing Practice in Australia: Addressing Educational Preparedness.

People with intellectual disabilities (IDs) face significant health challenges, including poor outcomes, limited access to health care, and a 26-year life expectancy gap compared with the general population. This highlights the need for improved public health and social policies to enhance the quality of care in hospital and community settings. An integrated literature review was conducted to examine the state of disability nursing practice in Australia following the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Support (NDIS) scheme. The review included English-language studies published from 2010 to 2023. Systematic searches in five databases resulted in a final sample of 28 studies. The data were then thematically analysed, and the following three themes emerged: Workforce development and professional standards, hospital experience and support needs of individuals with IDs, and nursing curriculum and ID. Study findings suggest that nurses lack preparation for effective health communication with individuals with IDs and their families. Evidence is insufficient to guide nursing practice and policies in ID care. Varying understandings of practice standards exist among nurses. Nursing curriculums in Australia fail to adequately prepare students to manage the unique needs of individuals with IDs, perpetuating the high mortality rates in this population. Specialised nursing practice areas are vital for meeting the complex needs of individuals with IDs. Reintroducing a disability nursing specialty and integrating dedicated study units and clinical placements in undergraduate programmes are recommended steps to improve care outcomes and support the overall well-being of this population.

Predictors of Moderate-High Posttraumatic Growth in Parents of Children With Cancer: A Cross-sectional Study.

Parents of children with cancer may experience posttraumatic growth (PTG). In clinical practice, this parental enhancement is more likely to be seen with a moderate-high PTG. The aim of this study was to determine the moderate-high PTG prevalence of parents of children diagnosed with cancer at least 6 months and to investigate its relationship with hope, social support, and patient-parent characteristics. This cross-sectional study was conducted with the parents of children with cancer admitted to the pediatric hematology-oncology unit using the Parent-Child Characteristic Questionnaire, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and Dispositional Hope Scale. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the variables associated with moderate-high PTG. One hundred one parents were enrolled in this study, and the prevalence of the moderate-high PTG was 79.2%. There was a statistically significant difference between moderate-high PTG and children's age (P = .037). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that social support from significant others (odds ratio = 1.138, 95% confidence interval = 1.030-1.257, P = .011) was a predictor of moderate-high PTG. Moderate-high PTG is common among parents of children diagnosed with cancer. Perceived social support from healthcare professionals and other patient parents is a predictive factor. Interventions that encourage the support of health professionals and interaction with the parents of other patients, such as peer counseling, group-based interventions, and expanding the social support network, seem to be clinically promising in helping parents to improve from the cancer experience.

Integrating Genetic Services in the Philippine Public Health Delivery System: The Value of Networks.

The delivery of genetic services in developing countries is faced with significant challenges, despite medical and technological advances globally. The Philippines, being an archipelago, faces even more challenges, with significant disparities in access to healthcare, and tertiary medical centers and specialists being concentrated in the major cities. The utilization of different networks for the integration of genetic services in the existing public health delivery system has been valuable. Using the well-established network of the national newborn screening program, genetic services have been successfully integrated into the delivery of healthcare, even at the grassroot level. Equitable access to healthcare, including genetic services, was highlighted and supported by the enactment of the Rare Disease Law in 2016. The support of the academe to assure the sustainability of services was evident in the establishment of a genetic counseling program to augment the work of a handful of clinical geneticists. Professional societies and support groups have been instrumental in identifying genetic conditions to be prioritized and lobbying for increased public awareness, leading to national programs and policies. This paper primarily discusses the value of networks in the delivery of genetic services, specifically newborn screening, programs for rare diseases, birth defects, and genetic counseling.

Experiences and Acceptability of a Weight Loss Intervention for Diabetes (Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial-DiRECT) in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Qualitative Study within a Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial.

The Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT) demonstrated that substantial weight loss and remission from type 2 diabetes can be achieved with low-energy total diet replacement and behavioural support. However, the acceptability of the DiRECT intervention in diverse populations with strong cultural emphases on food and shared eating remains unclear. We conducted a qualitative study nested within a pilot randomised controlled trial of DiRECT in one Māori (the Indigenous people of New Zealand) primary care provider in Aotearoa New Zealand. Participants with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, obesity, and a desire to lose weight were randomised to either dietitian-supported usual care or the dietitian-supported DiRECT intervention for twelve months. The DiRECT intervention included three months of total diet replacement, then food reintroduction and supported weight loss maintenance. At three and twelve months, semi-structured interviews explored the acceptability of DiRECT and participants' experiences of each intervention. Interview transcripts from 25 participants (aged 48 ± 10 years, 76% female, 78% Māori or Pacific) at three months and 15 participants at twelve months were analysed. Participants viewed their pre-enrolment selves as unhealthy people with poor eating habits and desired professional weight loss support. For DiRECT participants, the total diet replacement phase was challenging but well-received, due to rapid improvements in weight and health. Food reintroduction and weight loss maintenance each presented unique challenges requiring effective strategies and adaptability. All participants considered individualised and empathetic dietetic support crucial to success. Sociocultural factors influencing success were experienced in both interventions: family and social networks provided support and motivation; however, eating-related norms were identified as challenges. The DiRECT intervention was considered an acceptable approach to weight loss in participants with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes with strong cultural emphases on food and shared eating. Our findings highlight the importance of individualised and culturally relevant behavioural support for effective weight loss and weight loss maintenance.