Are UK healthcare professionals equipped to provide information and support on Human Papillomavirus to patients diagnosed with cancer of the head and neck?

Author(s):  
R. Jopson ◽  
J. Callender

Abstract Aim: Incidence rates of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) positive head and neck cancer (HNC) are increasing. The aim of this study was to explore the availability of information and the knowledge and confidence of healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in the cancer pathway to provide information on HPV to patients. Materials and method: An online questionnaire was designed using closed and open questions to investigate the availability of patient information for patients diagnosed with HPV-associated HNC; health professional’s knowledge of the information available; and their confidence in discussing the topic. The questionnaire was advertised to health professionals through the British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists website. Twenty-five health professionals from six professions across five UK Cancer Alliances completed the questionnaire between November and December 2018. Results: Nearly half of the participants did not know whether patients were routinely provided with information on HPV following an HPV-positive (HPV+) cancer diagnosis; 52% indicated that specific information was available within their hospital trust, however, there were inconsistencies with participants’ knowledge of the content of the information leaflets currently available. On a scale of 1–100, the mean confidence in providing HPV-related information was 58. Findings: Inconsistencies appear to exist with respect to information about HPV available to patients presenting with HNC. A need has been identified for the education of health professionals involved in the patient care to support information provision.

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-8
Author(s):  
Nazish Imran ◽  
Masood Jawaid

The Digital revolution is set to influence medicine significantly in the coming days. Healthcare professionals should embrace the positive potential of social media (SM) and social networking sites (SNSs) and take advantage of these technologies and tools for their personal and professional development but also be aware of the potential impact of their online behaviors.Moorhead et al identified six arching domains of social media use by the general public, patients, and health professionals. These include Information provision and answering questions on various conditions; facilitation of dialogue between patients, and patients and healthcare professionals; data collection on patient experiences and opinions; SM use for health intervention;health promotion and health education; reduction of stigma & online consultations (Moorhead et al., 2013). Social media has various advantages, such as reaching an extensive audience, low cost, peer/social/emotional support, helping students to keep updated the latest health trends, helping them to formally and informally learn the material, prompt communication & potential to influence health policy (Moorhead et al., 2013; Mostaghimi &Crotty, 2011). At the same time, there are various limitations of social media use in healthcare. These include lack of reliability, information overload, lack of confidentiality & privacy, risks associated with providing incorrect advice using social media, concerns about the correct application of online information to one’s personal health & adverse health consequences. Furthermore, in some cases, social media may restrict patients from visiting health professionals (Moorhead et al., 2013).


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-10
Author(s):  
J Long ◽  
R Lathan ◽  
M Sidapra ◽  
I Chetter ◽  
S Nandhra

Background: Prior to the development of the Journal of Vascular Societies Great Britain & Ireland (JVSGBI), there were limited opportunities for UK based vascular health professionals to publish research relevant for UK vascular practice. A survey was developed to evaluate the appetite and potential infrastructure for a UK vascular journal amongst vascular healthcare professionals. Methods: In May 2020, an online questionnaire was administered by The Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland (VSGBI) Research Committee, surveying vascular health professionals regarding the development of a UK-specific vascular journal. The survey was disseminated via email to multi-disciplinary members of the vascular community with links promoted on social media. Results: Responses were received from 359 individuals identifying predominantly as surgeons (38%), nurses (8%), technologists (10%), radiologists (20%), trainees (10%), physiotherapists (7%) and other (7%). The majority of participants (67%) indicated they would be in favour of a UK-specific vascular journal and that it should be available as an online quarterly publication. Almost three quarters (74%) of respondents thought a subscription fee should be included in societies’ membership fees. Free text comments highlighted a few concerns, suggesting the focus should instead be to improve the quality of existing vascular journals. However, most respondents welcomed the idea of a journal relevant to UK practice, with inclusivity of all UK vascular professions to encourage more collaborative working. Conclusions: Overall, feedback collected from the survey was positive and suggested a demand for a UK-specific vascular journal, providing an indication that the development of such a journal should be further explored. The results of this survey helped to inform the development of the JVSGBI.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Mayers(New Corresponding Author) ◽  
Sarah Hambidge(Former Corresponding Author) ◽  
Olivia Bryant ◽  
Emily Arden-Close

Abstract Recent interest has been shown regarding support provided for poor maternal postnatal mental health. Fathers appear to play an important role within this support but many feel alienated within maternal services. The current qualitative study aimed to investigate fathers’ experience of support provided to fathers, to help support their partner should she experience poor postnatal mental health. Twenty-five fathers participated in an online questionnaire regarding their experience of their partner’s poor postnatal mental health and the support provided to fathers to help her. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes: ‘Support received to help support their partner’, ‘Support fathers wanted that was not received’ and ‘Father’s mental health’. The results highlight an overall lack of support for many fathers, despite many wanting support on how to help their partner, information on their own mental health and the services available. Fathers specifically wanted healthcare professionals to sign-post them to someone they can talk to for emotional support, and to be taught coping strategies which would help them to support both their partner and baby. The findings from this study suggest that health professionals and perinatal mental health services need a better understanding about what resources fathers need to support the mental health of themselves and their partner.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 940
Author(s):  
Faeza Netfa ◽  
Catherine King ◽  
Cristyn Davies ◽  
Harunor Rashid ◽  
Mohamed Tashani ◽  
...  

Background: Little is known about acceptability of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among parents of adolescents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Australia. This study aimed to explore the knowledge and attitudes of parents from Arabic backgrounds towards HPV vaccination offered to their children in the national school-based vaccination program. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted in Western Sydney, with parents of adolescents from Arabic backgrounds. Recruitment was via informal personal contacts and passive snowballing. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted in Arabic. These were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. Thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes. Results: Commonly identified themes across fifteen interviews included: (1) lack of awareness and knowledge of HPV and its vaccination, (2) awareness and understanding of the government vaccination information sheet, (3) parents’ preferences for information provision, (4) the role of parents’ religious beliefs in forming attitudes about HPV vaccination, and (5) lost opportunities to educate parents about HPV vaccination during general practitioner (GP) visits. Conclusion: The findings point to the need to address cultural, language, and communication barriers to improve awareness and acceptability of HPV vaccination in the Arabic community. Educational strategies should be tailored to this community based on their specific information needs and preferences.


1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (02) ◽  
pp. 171-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Glassman ◽  
B. K. Rimer

AbstractIn more and more medical settings, physicians have less and less time to be effective communicators. To be effective, they need accurate, current information about their patients. Tailored health communications can facilitate positive patient-provider communications and foster behavioral changes conducive to health. Tailored communications (TCs) are produced for an individual based on information about that person. The focus of this report is on tailored print communications (TPCs). TPCs also enhance the process of evaluation, because they require a database and the collection of patient-specific information. We present a Tailoring Model for Primary Care that describes the steps involved in creating TPCs. We also provide examples from three ongoing studies in which TPCs are being used in order to illustrate the kinds of variables used for tailoring the products that are developed and how evaluation is conducted. TPCs offer opportunities to expand the reach of health professionals and to give personalized, individualized massages in an era of shrinking professional contact time.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (31) ◽  
pp. 87-95
Author(s):  
Nicole Maria Miyamoto Bettini ◽  
Fabiana Tomé Ramos ◽  
Priscila Masquetto Vieira de Almeida

A Organização Mundial da Saúde - OMS confirmou a circulação internacional do novo Coronavírus em janeiro de 2020, nomeando-o como COVID-19 e, declarando uma pandemia. É de extrema importância que durante a pandemia, os profissionais de saúde tenham acesso e conhecimento sobre o uso correto dos Equipamentos de Proteção Individual (EPIs) e suas indicações, tomando assim, as devidas precauções na prevenção de infecções. O presente estudo buscou identificar a padronização mundial quanto ao uso dos EPIs utilizados no atendimento a pacientes suspeitos e/ou confirmados de COVID-19 no Brasil, EUA, China, Espanha, Itália e demais países europeus. Os guidelines apresentam a padronização quanto ao uso dos EPIs utilizados no atendimento a suspeitos e/ou confirmados de COVID-19, indo ao encontro das recomendações fornecidas pela OMS. Até o momento, o uso de EPIs é sem dúvida a estratégia mais importante e eficaz para proteger os profissionais de saúde durante a assistência ao paciente com COVID-19.Descritores: Infecções por Coronavírus, Equipamento de Proteção Individual, Pessoal de Saúde, Enfermagem. Recommendations for personal protective equipment to combat COVID-19Abstract: The World Health Organization - WHO confirmed the international circulation of the new Coronavirus in January 2020, naming it as COVID-19 and declaring a pandemic. It is extremely important that during the pandemic, health professionals have access and knowledge about the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and its indications, thus taking appropriate precautions to prevent infections. The present study sought to identify the worldwide standardization regarding the use of PPE utilized to take care of suspected and confirmed patients with COVID-19 in Brazil, USA, China, Spain, Italy and other European countries. The guidelines present a standardization regarding the use of PPE utilized to take care of suspected and confirmed with COVID-19, in line with the recommendations provided by WHO. To date, the use of PPE is undoubtedly the most important and effective strategy to protect healthcare professionals during care for patients with COVID-19.Descriptors: Coronavirus Infections, Personal Protective Equipment, Health Personnel, Nursing. Recomendaciones para el equipo de protección personal para combatir COVID-19Resumen: La Organización Mundial de la Salud - La OMS confirmó la circulación internacional del nuevo Coronavirus en enero de 2020, nombrándolo COVID-19 y declarando una pandemia. Es extremadamente importante que durante la pandemia, los profesionales de la salud tengan acceso y conocimiento sobre el uso correcto del Equipo de Protección Personal (EPP) y sus indicaciones, tomando así las precauciones adecuadas para prevenir infecciones. El presente estudio buscó identificar la estandarización mundial con respecto al uso de EPP utilizado para atender a pacientes sospechosos y/o confirmados con COVID-19 en Brasil, Estados Unidos, China, España, Italia y otros países europeos. Las pautas presentan la estandarización con respecto al uso de EPP utilizado para cuidar COVID-19 sospechoso y/o confirmado, de acuerdo con las recomendaciones proporcionadas por la OMS. Hasta la fecha, el uso de EPP es, sin duda, la estrategia más importante y efectiva para proteger a los profesionales de la salud durante la atención de pacientes con COVID-19.Descriptores: Infecciones por Coronavirus, Equipo de Protección Personal, Personal de Salud, Enfermería.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haoru Dong ◽  
Xinhua Shu ◽  
Qiang Xu ◽  
Chen Zhu ◽  
Andreas M. Kaufmann ◽  
...  

AbstractHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection identified as a definitive human carcinogen is increasingly being recognized for its role in carcinogenesis of human cancers. Up to 38%–80% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in oropharyngeal location (OPSCC) and nearly all cervical cancers contain the HPV genome which is implicated in causing cancer through its oncoproteins E6 and E7. Given by the biologically distinct HPV-related OPSCC and a more favorable prognosis compared to HPV-negative tumors, clinical trials on de-escalation treatment strategies for these patients have been studied. It is therefore raised the questions for the patient stratification if treatment de-escalation is feasible. Moreover, understanding the crosstalk of HPV-mediated malignancy and immunity with clinical insights from the proportional response rate to immune checkpoint blockade treatments in patients with HNSCC is of importance to substantially improve the treatment efficacy. This review discusses the biology of HPV-related HNSCC as well as successful clinically findings with promising candidates in the pipeline for future directions. With the advent of various sequencing technologies, further biomolecules associated with HPV-related HNSCC progression are currently being identified to be used as potential biomarkers or targets for clinical decisions throughout the continuum of cancer care.


Author(s):  
Marta Maes-Carballo ◽  
Manuel Martín-Díaz ◽  
Luciano Mignini ◽  
Khalid Saeed Khan ◽  
Rubén Trigueros ◽  
...  

Objectives: To assess shared decision-making (SDM) knowledge, attitude and application among health professionals involved in breast cancer (BC) treatment. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study based on an online questionnaire, sent by several professional societies to health professionals involved in BC management. There were 26 questions which combined demographic and professional data with some items measured on a Likert-type scale. Results: The participation (459/541; 84.84%) and completion (443/459; 96.51%) rates were high. Participants strongly agreed or agreed in 69.57% (16/23) of their responses. The majority stated that they knew of SDM (mean 4.43 (4.36–4.55)) and were in favour of its implementation (mean 4.58 (4.51–4.64)). They highlighted that SDM practice was not adequate due to lack of resources (3.46 (3.37–3.55)) and agreed on policies that improved its implementation (3.96 (3.88–4.04)). The main advantage of SDM for participants was patient satisfaction (38%), and the main disadvantage was the patients’ paucity of knowledge to understand their disease (24%). The main obstacle indicated was the lack of time and resources (40%). Conclusions: New policies must be designed for adequate training of professionals in integrating SDM in clinical practice, preparing them to use SDM with adequate resources and time provided.


Author(s):  
Kirsten Corden ◽  
Rebecca Brewer ◽  
Eilidh Cage

AbstractHealthcare professionals play a vital role in identifying and supporting autistic people. This study systematically reviewed empirical research examining healthcare professionals’ knowledge, self-efficacy and attitudes towards working with autistic people. Thirty-five studies were included. The included studies sampled a range of countries and professional backgrounds. A modified quality assessment tool found the quality of the included studies was moderately good. Narrative synthesis indicated that healthcare professionals report only moderate levels of autism knowledge and self-efficacy, and often lack training. Variation within and between countries and professional background was not explained by demographic factors. The reviewed evidence suggests health professionals’ limited knowledge and self-efficacy in working with autistic people is a challenge to the provision of healthcare for autistic individuals.


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