Ethnic minority populations are increasing in England, however individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to access mental health support compared with their White British counterparts, despite experiencing parallel but also unique risks of developing mental health difficulties. Understanding the barriers for ethnic monitory groups to accessing mental health services is therefore crucial. As clinicians are at the forefront of access to healthcare for all people, their perspectives on how ethnic minority groups are supported with their mental health are underexplored but may illuminate barriers to accessing mental health support. This study aimed to investigate clinicians’ experiences in supporting patients from ethnic minority backgrounds with mental health difficulties. Fourteen clinicians participated in semi-structured interviews about their experiences of delivering mental healthcare to people from ethnic minority groups. The sample consisted of clinicians specialising in mental health (n = 9) and General Practitioners (n = 5) with 14.1 mean years of experience. Interviews explored clinicians’ approach to support, confidence when providing care, patient outlook on mental health and treatment, as well as service constraints. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three main themes were identified: (1) Clinician personal factors impacting their approaches to supporting patients from ethnic minority groups; (2) Clinicians’ perspectives on how patients perceive mental health and mental health services; (3) Structural factors and level of training provided affects consultation and treatment. Perceived patient barriers to accessing support included cultural incompatibility, stigma and mistrust. Clinicians discussed the limited time and financial resources of services and how this restricted their capacity to make accommodations. This study highlights the importance of a comprehensive, multi-level strategy to overcome barriers to accessing mental health support among ethnic minority groups. Key recommendations include reviewing current training around culturally sensitive care, reforming systemic practices to foster inclusivity, and encouraging community engagement to reduce stigma and build trust in mental health services. Further research should focus on how cultural adaptations to services may improve engagement and explore the impact of intersectionality within and across individual ethnic groups. Such initiatives are crucial for achieving equitable mental health outcomes across diverse populations.
Background Long covid affects a significant proportion of people following SARS-CoV-2 infection and is associated with persistent symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive dysfunction and breathlessness which can negatively impact a person’s ability to return to and remain in work. Although tiered vocational rehabilitation (VR) models have been proposed, these are often generic, lack empirical validation and may not address the complex, fluctuating needs of this population.Objectives To co-design a VR intervention (the COVID-19-VR intervention) to support return to work (RTW) for people with long covid (pwLC).Setting Primary and secondary care.Design Mixed-methods target population-centred, person-based approach in three stages: Stage 1: interviews (n=21) with pwLC to identify issues and challenges faced in working with long covid. Stage 2: three co-design workshops with pwLC and service providers to (a) generate guiding principles, (b) identify key intervention features to address work needs, (c) create a logic model to illustrate how the intervention could work and (d) develop a treatment plan and resources. Stage 3: feasibility and acceptability testing in six cases (three critical care admissions, three primary care referrals).Results PwLC described work-related problems relating to: fluctuating symptoms (cognition, fatigue and breathlessness), employer, coworker and family’s understanding of long covid and workplace adjustments. We developed a 6-session, 12-week individually tailored, remotely delivered intervention that included vocational goal setting, RTW planning, fatigue/symptom management, financial advice, and where permitted, education for family/employers, employer engagement and negotiation of a phased RTW. Following feasibility testing, changes included accommodating the long-term nature of long covid, addressing unmet psychological needs, and adding content on adjustment, processing traumatic experience and performance/symptom anxiety, with extended delivery including monitoring, review and case coordination.Conclusions PwLC may need specialist help to RTW. Our COVID-19-VR appears feasible and acceptable and warrants further evaluation using a staged approach, prior to any definitive effectiveness trial.
BACKGROUND:Small percutaneously placed pigtail catheters (PCs) for traumatic hemothorax (HTX) are safe and effective in adults but have not been evaluated in children. We hypothesized that PC would have similar efficacy and complication rates compared with chest tubes (CTs). METHODS:A retrospective study of hemodynamically stable pediatric trauma patients (younger than 18 years) with HTX or hemopneumothorax was conducted at 41 trauma centers (January 2010 to December 2022). Catheter failure was defined as a requirement for surgery, additional tube placement, or thrombolytics. Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, mechanism of injury, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) was used to evaluate the associated risk of failure. RESULTS:Of 548 patients, 477 had CT and 71 PC. The median age (CT: 15.7 vs. PC: 15.6, p = 0.49) and ISS (CT: 17 vs. PC: 16, p = 0.17) were similar between cohorts. Penetrating trauma patients more often received CTs (62.6% vs. 35.2%, p < 0.0001). Failure rate was similar between CT versus PC (17.6% vs. 12.6%, p = 0.38). While the overall complication rate (respiratory distress, effusion, empyema, pneumonia, infection, deep venous thrombosis) was higher in the PC group on univariate analysis (19.7% vs. 11.9% in CT, p = 0.02), the risk of complications was not increased on multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.95-1.15; p = 0.3). Length of stay and intensive care unit length of stay were similar between cohorts (all p > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that PC was not associated with the risk of failure (odds ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.04; p = 0.31). There was an increased risk of complications with ISS of >15 (odds ratio, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.26; p < 0.0001) and lower risk with penetrating injury (odds ratio, 0.86; 95%confidence interval, 0.80-0.92; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION:There was no difference in risk of failure between PC and CT for pediatric HTX/hemopneumothorax and no difference in risk of complications after adjustment for confounders. Pigtail catheters had similar safety and efficacy compared with larger-bore CTs in this large multi-institutional study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.
OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of delivering a vocational rehabilitation intervention (Return to Work After Trauma-ROWTATE), remotely to individuals recovering from traumatic injuries. The primary objectives were to assess therapists' training and competence, adapt the intervention and training for remote delivery and assess the feasibility and fidelity of remote delivery to inform a definitive randomised controlled trial. DESIGN:A mixed-methods feasibility study incorporating (1) telerehabilitation qualitative literature review, (2) qualitative interviews preintervention and postintervention with therapists and patients, (3) a team objective structured clinical examination to assess competency, (4) usefulness of training, attitudes towards (15-item Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale) and confidence in (4-item Evidence Based Practice Confidence Scale) evidence-based practice, intervention delivery confidence (8-bespoke questions) and intervention behaviour determinants (51-items Theoretical Domains Framework) and (5) single-arm intervention delivery feasibility study. SETTING:The study was conducted in two UK Major Trauma Centres. The intervention and training were adapted for remote delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PARTICIPANTS:Therapists: Seven occupational therapists (OTs) and clinical psychologists (CPs) were trained, and six participated in competency assessment. Seven OTs and CPs participated in preintervention interviews and surveys; six completed post-intervention interviews and four completed post-training surveys. PATIENTS:10 patients were enrolled in the single-arm feasibility study and 4 of these participated in postintervention qualitative interviews. Inclusion criteria included therapists involved in vocational rehabilitation delivery and patients admitted to major trauma centres. Exclusion criteria included participation in other vocational rehabilitation trials or those who had returned to work or education for at least 80% of preinjury hours. INTERVENTION:The ROWTATE vocational rehabilitation intervention was delivered remotely by trained OTs and CPs. Training included competency assessments, mentoring and adaptation for telerehabilitation. The intervention was delivered over multiple sessions, with content tailored to individual patient needs. RESULTS:Therapists found the training useful, reported positive attitudes (Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale mean=2.9 (SD 0.9)) and high levels of confidence in delivering evidence-based practice (range 75%-100%) and the ROWTATE intervention (range 80%-100%). Intervention barriers identified pretraining became facilitators post-training. Half the therapists needed additional support post-training through mentoring or additional training. The intervention and training were successfully adapted for remote delivery. High levels of fidelity (intervention components delivered: OTs=84.5%, CPs=92.9%) and session attendance rates were found (median: OT=97%, CP=100%). Virtually all sessions were delivered remotely (OT=98%, CP=100%). The intervention was acceptable to patients and therapists; both considered face-to-face delivery where necessary was important. CONCLUSIONS:The ROWTATE intervention was delivered remotely with high fidelity and attendance and was acceptable to patients and therapists. Definitive trial key changes include modifying therapist training, competency assessment, face-to-face intervention delivery where necessary and addressing lower fidelity intervention components. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:ISRCTN74668529.
INTRODUCTION:Emergent endotracheal intubation is common in critically ill patients. Underlying pathophysiologic derangements puts these patients at increased risk of peri-intubation major adverse events (MAE) and have been associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Investigating the impact of interventions in the peri-intubation period on the rate of peri-intubation hypoxemia and hypotension can help improve management of emergent airways. METHODS:We searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases from their beginning through April 2024 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating interventions to prevent peri-intubation hypoxemia and hypotension. Random-effects meta-analysis was used for the outcomes of peri-intubation hypoxemia and hypotension. We used the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and Cochrane Q-statistic and I2 to assess the quality and heterogeneity of the included studies, respectively. RESULTS:We included 16 RCTs included in our analysis with a total of 7,778 patients. All studies reported incidences of peri-intubation hypoxemia, and 11 studies reported rates of hypotension. One study had some concern of bias; otherwise all others were found to have low risk of bias. The examined interventions were associated with a 25% reduction in rates of hypoxemia (OR 0.748, 95% CI 0.566 - 0.988, P = .04). The subgroup of preoxygenation techniques showed a 63% reduction in rates of hypoxemia (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.23 - 0.61, P < .001). Interventions to prevent hypotension were not associated with a significant decrease in rates of peri-intubation hypotension (OR 0.848, CI 0.676 - 1.063, P = .15). CONCLUSION:Preoxygenation interventions, in the form of noninvasive ventilation, are associated with lower odds of hypoxemia in the peri-intubation period. More research is needed to determine whether interventions can be successful at preventing cardiovascular collapse.
Introduction: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is a devastating type of stroke. Blood pressure reduction is crucial in its management and is well mentioned in current guidelines; however, the role of blood pressure variability (BPV) in emergency departments (EDs) has not been well studied. This study aimed to identify predictors of lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) (≤160 mmHg) and BPV at ED discharge and course, respectively. Methods: This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data at a quaternary care center of adult patients diagnosed and treated with sICH between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2020. The primary outcome of interest was SBP at ED discharge; this was divided into two groups: a control group composed of patients discharged with an SBP ≤ 160 mmHg and a comparison group composed of patients discharged with an SBP > 160 mmHg. Secondary outcomes included measures of BPV, specifically successive variation (SBPSV), and standard deviation (SBPSD) during ED course. Machine learning algorithms were used to identify predictors of SBP at ED discharge: SBPSV and SBPSV. Results: This study evaluated 142 patients, of which 85 (60%) were discharged with SBP ≤ 160 mmHg. The mean SBP at ED discharge was 133 (±16.1) mmHg for the control group and 184 (±21.3) for the comparison group (difference −51; 95% CI −58 to −45; p < 0.001). The top five predictors for the primary outcome identified by machine learning included initial SBP at ED triage, serum sodium, clevidipine administration, serum glucose, and serum creatinine. Predictors for secondary outcome included mechanical ventilation, serum glucose, and initial SBP at ED triage. Conclusion: Initial SBP was the top predictor of achieving a goal SBP ≤160 mmHg at ED discharge in patients with sICH. Predictors of increased BPV included mechanical ventilation, elevated serum glucose, and high initial SBP in the ED. While further studies are necessary to confirm our observations, clinicians should consider these factors when they care for patients with sICH.
OBJECTIVE:Juxtarenal aortic aneurysms present a challenge for endovascular treatment. Although renal dysfunction after open repair has been associated with lower short-term survival, the relationship between postoperative kidney function and midterm outcomes such as rupture, reintervention, and mortality remains unclear. This study investigates the association between postoperative renal function and these outcomes. METHODS:We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative linked to Medicare claims through the Vascular Implant Surveillance and Interventional Outcomes Network (VISION). Patients who underwent elective open repair of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms between January 2003 and December 2018 (N = 1925) were included. Patients were stratified based on postoperative renal function: stable renal function; acute kidney injury (AKI), as defined by a ≥0.5 mg/dL increase in baseline serum creatinine level; or need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Primary outcomes included 5-year mortality, rupture, and reintervention, and secondary outcomes were immediate postoperative complications. Multivariable logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox regression modeling were used. RESULTS:Among the 1925 patients, 74% had stable postoperative renal function, 21% developed AKI, and 4.9% required RRT. Worse renal outcomes were associated with longer renal ischemia times, higher proximal aortic clamping, and renal artery bypass. Postoperative, 30-day mortality was highest in the RRT group, along with higher rates of cardiac, respiratory, and intestinal ischemic complications (P < .001). Patients requiring RRT had higher risks of subsequent aortic aneurysm-related reintervention (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-5.1; P = .03) and midterm (1-, 3-, and 5-year follow-up) mortality (aHR: 2.2; 95% CI: 2.1-5.1; P < .001) compared with those with stable renal function. Patients with AKI also had higher midterm mortality (aHR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-2.0; P = .01). No significant differences in aneurysm rupture were observed between groups. CONCLUSIONS:Postoperative patients who required RRT were associated with increased midterm aortic reinterventions and mortality after open juxtarenal aneurysm repair. Patients demonstrating any degree of renal impairment were associated with higher midterm mortality risk, though rupture rates and rates of reintervention demonstrated no difference.
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are widely regarded as the most powerful research design for evidence-based practice. However, recruiting to RCTs can be challenging resulting in heightened costs and delays in research completion and implementation. Enabling successful recruitment is crucial in mental health research. Despite the increase in the use of remote recruitment strategies and digital health interventions, there is limited evidence on methods to improve recruitment to remotely delivered mental health trials. The paper outlines practical examples and recommendations on how to successfully recruit participants to remotely delivered mental health trials. The Alpha Stim-D Trial was a multi-centre double-blind randomised controlled trial, for people aged 16 years upwards, addressing depressive symptoms in primary care. Despite a 6-month delay in beginning recruitment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trial met the recruitment target within the timeframe and achieved high retention rates. Several strategies were implemented to improve recruitment; some of these were adapted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included adapting the original in-person recruitment strategies. Subsequently, systematic recruitment using postal invitations from criteria-specific search of the sites’ electronic health records was added to opportunistic recruitment to increase referrals in response to sub-target recruitment whilst also reducing the burden on referring sites. Throughout the recruitment process, the research team collaborated with key stakeholders, such as primary care clinicians and the project’s Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPI/E) representatives, who gave advice on recruitment strategies. Furthermore, the study researchers played a key role in communicating with participants and building rapport from study introduction to data collection. Our findings suggest that trial processes can influence recruitment; therefore, consideration and a regular review of the recruitment figures and strategies is important. Recruitment of participants can be maximised by utilising remote approaches, which reduce the burden and amount of time required by referring sites and allow the research team to reach more participants whilst providing participants and researchers with more flexibility. Effectively communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders throughout the trial process, as well as building rapport with participants, may also improve recruitment rates.
Recently published guidelines by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have recommended both mindfulness-based and stress-reduction approaches as effective preventative mental wellbeing interventions for healthcare and other public sector staff at risk of poor mental health. This trial aims to assess the effectiveness of an increasingly implemented Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy-for Life (MBCT-L) intervention versus a routinely available Stress-Reduction Psychoeducation (SRP) intervention in reducing perceived stress and improving other mental health and work-related outcomes in national healthcare and other public sector service employees. The trial is a multi-site, single-blind, parallel-group, two-arm superiority Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT). Recruitment, interventions and assessments will be conducted remotely, via online digital platforms. We will recruit 260 healthcare and other public sector staff in 26 intervention groups across the UK to be delivered through existing integrated care or wellbeing hub services or other human resource staff wellbeing channels affiliated with the participating National Health Service (NHS) Trusts. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the MBCT-L or SRP. Primary and secondary outcomes will be collected at 6, 12 and 20 weeks following randomisation. The primary outcome will be change on the Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14) from baseline to 20 weeks post randomisation. Demographic, intervention-related and health economic data will also be collected. Adverse events will be recorded. Data analysis will involve multilevel modelling and will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis. A sub-study will involve online semi-structured interviews post 20 weeks randomisation with a sub-sample of participants (n=30). Transcribed data will be subjected to thematic analysis for eliciting qualitative outcomes on perceived wellbeing and work-related changes post intervention, and drivers and barriers to intervention uptake and acceptability. Recruitment of participants commenced on August 29th, 2023. The target recruitment of 260 participants was reached 30th April 2024. Follow up outcome data collection was completed 30th September 2024 and data analysis is underway. Thirty qualitative interviews have been conducted. Findings will be made publicly available and will inform future refinements in intervention suitability and implementation for public care staff wellbeing. ISRCTN18049845
This study evaluates the effectiveness of ChatGPT versions 3.5 and 4.0, and Google's Bard in answering patient questions on melanoma. Results show that both versions of ChatGPT outperform Bard, particularly in readability, with no significant difference between the two ChatGPT versions. The study underscores the potential of large language models in healthcare, highlighting the need for professional oversight and further research.
Objective: Many patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) have additional comorbidities requiring systemic immunosuppression. Few studies have analyzed whether these medications may inhibit graft integration and effectiveness, or conversely, whether they may prevent inflammation and/or restenosis. Therefore, our study aim was to examine the effect of systemic immunosuppression vs no immunosuppression on outcomes after any first-time lower extremity revascularization for CLTI. Methods: We identified all patients undergoing first-time infrainguinal bypass graft (BPG) or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without stenting (PTA/S) for CLTI at our institution between 2005 and 2014. Patients were stratified by procedure type and immunosuppression status, defined as >= 6 weeks of any systemic immunosuppression therapy ongoing at the time of intervention. Immunosuppression vs nonimmunosuppression were the primary comparison groups in our analyses. Primary outcomes included perioperative complications, reintervention, primary patency, and limb salvage, with Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models used for univariate and multivariate analyses, respectively. Results: Among 1312 patients, 667 (51%) underwent BPG and 651 (49%) underwent PTA/S, of whom 65 (10%) and 95 (15%) were on systemic immunosuppression therapy, respectively. Whether assessing BPG or PTA/S patients, there were no differences noted in perioperative outcomes, including perioperative mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, hematoma, or surgical site infection (P > .05). For BPG patients, Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank testing demonstrated no significant difference in three-year reintervention (37% vs 33% [control]; P = .75), major amputation (27% vs 15%; P = .64), or primary patency (72% vs 66%; P = .35) rates. Multivariate analysis via Cox regression confirmed these findings (immunosuppression hazard ratio [HR] for reintervention, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.56-1.60; P= .85; for major amputation, HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.70-2.96; P = .32; and for primary patency. HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.69-1.38; P = .88). For PTA/S patients, univariate analysis revealed similar rates of reintervention (37% vs 39% [control]; P = .57) and primary patency (59% vs 63%; P = .21); however, immunosuppressed patients had higher rates of major amputation (23% vs 12%; P = .01). After using Cox regression to adjust for baseline demographics, as well as operative and anatomic characteristics, immunosuppression was not associated with any differences in reintervention (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.49-1.16; P= .20), major amputation (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 0.81-2.62; P= .20), or primary patency (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.59-1.19; P= .32). Sensitivity analyses for the differences in makeup of immunosuppression regimens (steroids vs other classes) did not alter the interpretation of any findings in either BPG or PTA/S cohorts. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that patients with chronic systemic immunosuppression, as compared with those who are not immunosuppressed, does not have a significant effect on late outcomes after lower extremity revascularization, as measured by primary patency, reintervention, or major amputation.
BackgroundMany intensive care unit (ICU) staff experience intrusive memories following work-related traumatic events, which can lead to long-term mental health outcomes and impact work functioning. There is a need for interventions that target intrusive memories in this population; however, factors such as mental health stigma and difficulty in fitting interventions into busy schedules can pose barriers. The Brief Gameplay Intervention For National Health Service Intensive Care Unit Staff Affected By COVID-19 Trauma (GAINS) study tested a brief, digital imagery-competing task intervention (including computer gameplay) with the aim of reducing the recurrence of intrusive memories, which holds promise for overcoming some of these barriers. ObjectiveThis substudy aims to explore barriers and facilitators to the uptake and practical use of the intervention by ICU staff, along with its acceptability, and iteratively explore the impact of intervention optimizations to further refine the intervention. MethodsThe GAINS study is a randomized controlled trial comparing access to a brief digital imagery-competing task intervention for 4 weeks with usual care followed by delayed access to the intervention. The participants were ICU staff who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic and experienced intrusive memories. All participants were sent a questionnaire at 4 weeks to gather data about intervention acceptability. Nested within the randomized controlled trial, a subset of 16 participants was interviewed, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis drawing from a framework approach. ResultsBoth quantitative and qualitative data indicated high acceptability of the intervention. Intervention use data show that, on average, staff were able to target approximately 73% (3.64/4.88) of their intrusive memories and engaged with the Tetris component for the full 20 minutes per session. Overall, on the acceptability questionnaire, staff found the intervention easy to use, helpful, and highly acceptable. The interviews generated four themes: approach to the intervention, positives of the intervention, negatives of the intervention, and improvements and optimizations. Findings highlighted barriers that ICU staff experienced: stigma, feeling weak for seeking help, not wanting colleagues to know they were struggling, and skepticism. However, they provided suggestions on how barriers could be overcome and discussed the advantages of the intervention when compared with other treatments. Although participants described many positive aspects of the intervention, such as being easy to use, enjoyable, and leading to a reduction in the frequency or intensity of intrusive memories, they also raised practical issues for implementation. ConclusionsThe intervention has the potential to overcome stigma and reduce the frequency of intrusive memories after traumatic events among ICU staff. Further refinement is needed to improve the adoption and reach of this intervention. A limitation is that we could not interview the National Health Service staff who were unable or unwilling to take part in the trial.
The purpose of the current investigation was to develop a pharmaceutical equivalent osmotic drug delivery formulation of Paliperidone (PLD) in the form of controlled porosity osmotic pump tablets (CPOT) in order to keep the drug's steady state concentration in the body. This helps to achieve the greatest therapeutic benefit with the fewest side effects. For the purpose of identifying various formulation attributes, preliminary trials were conducted. Taguchi design was used to study the influence of seven input factors namely drug to polymer ratio, polymer 1(HPMC K100 M) to polymer 2 (HPMC K15 M), drug to total osmogens, coating level, amount of pore former, concentration of ethyl cellulose and amount of plasticizer on dependent variable similarity factor (f2). Utilizing the Minitab 17, data analysis was done. The similarity factor (f2) was computed using the osmotic tablet reference product INVEGA (R). The findings demonstrate that each of the seven independent variables significantly affects the similarity factor. For optimized batch, both core and coated tablets showed acceptable pharmacotechnical parameters. The release profile of the optimized batch tablets was found to be similar to that of reference product with good zero-order release pattern. Drug release was observed through the channels formed by in-situ pores on tablet surface performed using SEM. From the results it can be concluded that prepared CPOT of PLD was found pharmaceutical equivalent with commercial product which is cost effective and fully compliance with cGMP.
Objective: One -year aneurysm sac changes have previously been found to be associated with mortality and may have the potential to guide personalized follow-up following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). In this study, we examined the association of these early sac changes with long -term reintervention and rupture. Methods: We identified all patients undergoing first -time EVAR for intact abdominal aortic aneurysm between 2003 and 2018 in the Vascular Quality Initiative with linkage to Medicare claims for long -term outcomes. We included patients with an imaging study at 1 year postoperatively. Aneurysm sac behavior was defined as per the Society for Vascular Surgery guidelines: stable sac (<5 mm change), sac regression (>= 5 mm), and sac expansion (>= 5 mm). Outcomes included mortality, reintervention, and rupture within 8 years, which were assessed with Kaplan -Meier methods and multivariable Cox regression analysis. Secondarily, we utilized polynomial spline interpolation to demonstrate the continuous relationship of diameter change to 8 -year hazard of reintervention, rupture, or mortality as a composite outcome. Results: Of 31,185 EVAR patients, 16,102 (52%) had an imaging study at 1 year and were included in this study. At 1 year, 44% of sacs remained stable, 49% regressed, and 6.2% displayed expansion. Following risk adjustment, compared with a stable sac at 1 year, sac regression was associated with lower 8 -year mortality (49% vs 53%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85-0.99; P = .036), reintervention rate (8.9% vs 15%; HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.50-0.68; P < .001), and rupture rate (2.0% vs 4.0%; HR, 0.45; 95%CI, 0.29-0.69; P < .001). Conversely, compared with a stable sac, sac expansion was associated with higher 8 -year mortality (64% vs 53%; HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.14-1.51; P < .001) and reintervention rate (27% vs 15%; HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.57-2.51; P < .001), but similar risk of rupture (7.2% vs 4.0%; HR, 1.61; 95% CI, 0.88-2.96; P = .12). Polynomial spline interpolation demonstrated that, compared with no diameter change at 1 year, increased sac regression was associated with an incrementally lower risk of late outcomes, whereas increased sac expansion was associated with an incrementally higher risk of late outcomes. Conclusions: Following EVAR, compared with a stable sac at 1 -year imaging, sac regression and expansion are associated with a lower and higher risk respectively of long -term mortality, reinterventions, and ruptures. Moreover, the amount of regression or expansion seems to be incrementally associated with these late outcomes, too. Future studies are needed to determine how to improve 1 -year sac regression, and whether it is safe to extend follow-up intervals for patients with regressing sacs.
Few previous studies have considered the experiences of people with long covid returning to work beyond symptoms in terms of employer and other support factors. The aim of this research was to understand the experience of returning to work for those with long covid symptoms in contrast to the non-long covid group who had not experienced COVID-19 during the time restrictions were imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 infection. Twenty-one participants with long covid and 13 participants who had not had COVID-19 were interviewed. Themes were identified from transcripts using framework analysis. Participants with long covid experienced difficulties returning to work, particularly from fatigue, cognitive symptoms and breathlessness. Symptoms were heterogeneous and fluctuated in severity over time. A lack of understanding from colleagues and managers sometimes led to a premature return to work without adequate support, associated with further long covid relapse. Outside-of-work, support was salient for a successful return to work. The standard phased return offered by employers may be too short and rigid for some people with long covid. They may benefit from a tailored intervention to support a return to work that targets symptom management, and engages with work colleagues, managers, and family members.
Objectives Major trauma centres (MTCs) save lives but rehabilitation to support return-to-work (RTW) is lacking. This paper describes development of a vocational rehabilitation intervention (the ROWTATE intervention) to support RTW following traumatic injury.Design Sequential and iterative person-based approach in four stages—Stage 1: review of evidence about the efficacy and mechanisms of RTW interventions; Stage 2: interviews (n=38) and focus groups (n=25) with trauma survivors and service providers in five UK MTCs to identify the issues, and challenges faced postinjury; Stage 3: codesign workshops (n=43) with trauma stakeholders in MTCs to conceptually test and identify intervention delivery barriers/enablers; Stage 4: meetings (n=7) with intervention development working group (IDWG) to: (1) generate guiding principles, (2) identify key intervention features (process, components, mechanisms) to address unmet rehabilitation needs; (3) generate a logic model and programme theory to illustrate how the intervention works; and (4) develop a training package to support delivery.Results Trauma survivors described unmet needs relating to early advice about RTW; psychological support; pain management; hidden disabilities (eg, fatigue); estimating recovery; and community, amputee and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Mechanisms of effective interventions identified in the review included early intervention, colocation, employer engagement, case coordination and work accommodations. Intervention features identified by IDWG members (n=13) from stages 1 and 2 were use of stepped-care approaches by occupational therapists (OTs) and clinical psychologists (CPs), OT/CP formulation for complex cases, assessment of mental health problems, individually tailored rehabilitation including vocational goal setting, cross-sector coordination/communication, employer engagement, phased RTW, education/advice for family/employers, exploration of work alternatives, ongoing review of physical and mental health needs, work stability monitoring. Conceptual testing ratified the logic model. Geography and long waiting lists were identified as potential delivery barriers.Conclusions Real-world testing of the intervention is underway in a randomised controlled trial.
This study explored participant-reported facilitators and barriers to learning and implementation from a 2-day training in psychological assessment and intervention skills for cancer staff, involving deliberate practice and supervision. Twenty-six semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic analysis leading to four meta-themes: perceived practicality of training, impact of training: practice and its effects, implementation transfer processes and supervision engagement. Analysis identified a learning process to implementation: observation and practice of techniques during training facilitated participant learning; personal use and relevance of training content encouraged reflection, which enabled selection of appropriate tools for clinical practice; gains in commitment and confidence to use techniques supported participants to adapt clinical consultations, and supervision further facilitated implementation. Changing practice increased confidence, sense of achievement and engagement with participants' own wellbeing. Interactive training, deliberate practice and continuous learning were facilitators to implementation whilst time constraint and low confidence in using techniques in remote consultations were barriers.
The present research focuses on formulating and evaluating hydrogels modified with crosslinking agents using methylcellulose to treat diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Methylcellulose hydrogels are prepared and characterized for their crosslinking capacity through FTIR and degradation studies. The optimized hydrogel is further assessed for viscosity, gel strength, contact angle, in-vitro biodegradation, water-vapor transmission rate, anti-bacterial activity, and in-vivo efficacy. The results demonstrate that the developed hydrogel exhibits promising properties for DFU treatment, including increased wound healing percentage, improved ulcer morphology, reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and enhanced tissue characteristics. These findings suggest that the novel hydrogel composition could serve as a viable alternative to existing dressings for DFU management.