scholarly journals 41 Fostering Hope: The Comprehensive Accessible care for Infants with Neonatal abstinence (CAIN) Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. e17-e17
Author(s):  
Denise Clarke ◽  
Matt Hicks ◽  
Karen Foss ◽  
Natasha Lifeso

Abstract Introduction/Background Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) occurs in newborns exposed to drugs in-utero. In Canada, maternal opiate use in pregnancy has been steadily rising resulting in as many as 1850 babies born with NAS per year. Management of babies born with NAS requires supportive, interdisciplinary care. Depending on the severity of NAS, babies may be cared for with non-pharmacological interventions or some may need to be admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for extended hospital stays to receive medication and management of ongoing complex health care needs. Hospital and community health care providers have expressed concerns around the continuity of care for these babies in their stay in hospital and their transition to home. Objectives This study examined the experiences of hospital and community-based health care providers and families regarding the management of babies with NAS. The driving force behind our inquiry related to our interest in streamlining care for these babies in highly complex health and social systems. Design/Methods In total, 47 interdisciplinary participants were interviewed over a four-month period with individuals from Women’s and Child Health, Community, and family members. Interviewed transcripts were reviewed over several months and were completed in December 2019 using an inductive thematic analysis which culminated in the identification of an overarching theme linked with primary themes. ​ Results The study identified existing gaps in the management of these patients, determined how to improve communication between hospital and community networks, and provided a better understanding of the attitudes, perceptions and experiences of hospital and community personnel. The overarching theme identified was hope, with the primary themes being: system, mental health, mother/baby, judgement, and knowledge (see Figure 1). Several gaps identified in the system included fear, stigma, and language. Certain solutions proposed for improvement included focused care in a rooming in model for the mother and baby dyad, supporting mothers’ well-being, involving mothers and families, and supporting care providers in a family centered care model. In Figure 1, green lines indicate themes that are linked with and support hope, and red lines indicate themes that are barriers to hope. Conclusion This research demonstrates that programs and interventions implemented when working with mothers and babies with NAS must foster hope in mothers, families, and in the extended care provider team.

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 910-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie Lee ◽  
John L. Oliffe ◽  
Mary T. Kelly ◽  
Olivier Ferlatte

Gay men are a subgroup vulnerable to depression and suicidality. The prevalence of depression among gay men is three times higher than the general adult population. Because depression is a known risk factor for suicide, gay men are also at high risk for suicidality. Despite the high prevalence of depression and suicidality, health researchers and health care providers have tended to focus on sexual health issues, most often human immunodeficiency virus in gay men. Related to this, gay men’s health has often been defined by sexual practices, and poorly understood are the intersections of gay men’s physical and mental health with social determinants of health including ethnicity, locale, education level, and socioeconomic status. In the current article summated is literature addressing risk factors for depression and suicidality among gay men including family acceptance of their sexual identities, social cohesion and belonging, internalized stigma, and victimization. Barriers to gay men’s help seeking are also discussed in detailing how health care providers might advance the well-being of this underserved subgroup by effectively addressing depression and suicidality.


Author(s):  
Fatemeh Rahmanian ◽  
Soheila Nazarpour ◽  
Masoumeh Simbar ◽  
Ali Ramezankhani ◽  
Farid Zayeri

AbstractBackgroundA dimension of reproductive health services that should be gender sensitive is reproductive health services for adolescents.ObjectiveThis study aims to assess needs for gender sensitive reproductive health care services for adolescents.MethodsThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study on 341 of health care providers for adolescents in health centers and hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran in 2016. The subjects of the study were recruited using a convenience sampling method. The tools for data collection were: (1) a demographic information questionnaire and; (2) a valid and reliable questionnaire to Assess the Needs of Gender-Sensitive Adolescents Reproductive Health Care Services (ANQ-GSARHS) including three sections; process, structure and policy making for the services. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.ResultsThree hundred and forty-one health providers with an average working experience of 8.77 ± 5.39 [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] years participated in the study. The results demonstrated the highest scores for educational needs (92.96% ± 11.49%), supportive policies (92.71% ± 11.70%) and then care needs (92.37% ± 14.34%) of the services.ConclusionsProviding gender sensitive reproductive health care services for adolescents needs to be reformed as regards processes, structure and policies of the services. However, the gender appropriate educational and care needs as well as supportive policies are the priorities for reform of the services.


2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110654
Author(s):  
Kathryn West ◽  
Karen R. Jackson ◽  
Tobias L. Spears ◽  
Brian Callender

In this descriptive case series, we detail the theoretical basis, methodology, and impact of a small-scale pilot implementation of graphic medicine workshops as an innovative approach to well-being and resilience in the age of COVID-19 and increasing awareness of racial injustice. The data provided in this article are anecdotal and based on participation in the workshops. Images created during the workshops are also shared as examples of the types of reflection that graphic medicine can enable. The workshops themselves were designed collaboratively and are based on the theoretical principles of graphic medicine, narrative medicine, and racial and social justice. They were conducted as part of a larger wellness initiative and were offered to health care-focused faculty at our academic medical institution. Our findings suggest that this was a beneficial activity which helped participants to reflect and reconsider their experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic and surging awareness of racial injustice. Reflections also showed that drawings were correlated with ProQOL scores and may, in larger numbers, also help to mitigate or bring attention to issues of burnout in frontline providers. Drawings shared show the tremendous impact of COVID-19 and the simultaneous chaos and emptiness of practicing during dual pandemics. Our workshops engaged about 20 frontline health care providers and other health care faculty and highlight the utility of graphic medicine as a tool for building resilience and encouraging self-reflection. Further study is necessary, as is more rigorous analysis of the relationship between the graphics created and the ability to recognize and mitigate burnout.


Author(s):  
Victor Okunrintemi ◽  
Erica Spatz ◽  
Joseph Salami ◽  
Haider Warraich ◽  
Salim Virani ◽  
...  

Background: With recent enactment of Accountable Care Act, consumer reported patient-provider communication (PPC) assessed by Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey (CAHPS) in ambulatory settings is incorporated as a complementary value metric for patient-centered care of chronic conditions in pay-for-performance programs. In this study, we examine the relationship of PPC with select indicators of patient-centered care in a nationally representative adult US population with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Methods: The study population consisted of a nationally representative sample of 8223 individuals (age ≥ 18 years) representing 21.6 million with established ASCVD (self-reported or ICD-9 diagnosis) reporting a usual source of care in the 2010-2013 pooled Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) cohort. Participants responded to questions from CAHPS that assess satisfaction with PPC (four-point response scale: never, sometimes, usually, always ) :(1) “How often providers show respect for what you had to say” (2) “How often health care providers listened carefully to you” (3) “How often health care providers explained things so you understood” (4) “How often health providers spent enough time with you” We developed a weighted PPC composite score, categorized as 1 ( never / sometimes ), 2 ( usually ), and 3 ( always ). Outcomes of interest were 1) patient reported outcomes (PRO): SF-12 physical/mental health status, 2) quality of care measures: statin and ASA use, 3) health-care resource utilization (HRU): Emergency room visits & hospital stays, 4) total annual and out of pocket healthcare expenditures (HCE). Results: As shown in the table, those with ASCVD reporting ineffective (never/sometimes) vs. effective PCC (always) were over 2-fold more likely to report poor PRO, 34% & 22% less likely to report statin and ASA use respectively, had a significantly greater HRU (OR≥ 2 ER visit: 1.40 [95% CI:1.09-1.80], OR≥ 2 hospitalization: 1.35 [95% CI:1.02-1.77], as well as an estimated $1,294 ($121-2468) higher annual HCE. Conclusion: This study reveals a strong relationship between patient-physician communication among those with established ASCVD with patient-reported outcomes, utilization of evidence based therapies, healthcare resource utilization and expenditures.


1994 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy E. Page ◽  
Nancy M. Boeing

Much controversy has arisen in the last few decades regarding parental and family visitation in the intensive care setting. The greatest needs of parents while their child is in an intensive care unit include: to be near their child, to receive honest information, and to believe their child is receiving the best care possible. The barriers that exist to the implementation of open visitation mostly are staff attitudes and misconceptions of parental needs. Open visitation has been found in some studies to make the health-care providers’ job easier, decrease parental anxiety, and increase a child’s cooperativeness with procedures. To provide family-centered care in the pediatric intensive care unit, the family must be involved in their child’s care from the day of admission. As health-care providers, the goal is to empower the family to be able to advocate and care for their child throughout and beyond the life crisis of a pediatric intensive care unit admission


1970 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-206
Author(s):  
S Bhattacharya ◽  
SK Bhattacharya ◽  
AP Gautam

The Inter Professional Education (IPE) is an innovative teaching learning intervention in Health Professions’ Education during which members of more than one health profession learn interactively together to improve collaborative practice and/health of the patients. Thus this approach provides positive outcomes for students enhancing their awareness towards other professional groups, improving knowledge and understanding of how to work in an inter professional team and strengthening their communication and collaboration skills. Within the hierarchical nature of many clinical settings, the aims of IPE courses intersect with socialization of health professional (HP) students into roles of responsibility and authority. The IPE in HP courses emphasizes the practice of frequent high quality communication, strong relationships and partnerships among health care providers to maximize the quality of care thus improving the efficiency of care thereby improving clinical outcomes. Health Professional Schools are this motivated to opt for inter professional education to improve the learning of the students, health care delivery and patient outcomes. Keywords: Inter professional relations; patient centered care; education DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v9i3.5591   HR 2011; 9(3): 201-206


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 498-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofía Gómez ◽  
Heide Castañeda

The “DACAmented Voices in Healthcare” project examined the intersection of restrictive immigration policies and health care via photovoice, a participatory action research approach, with immigrant youth living in Arizona, who were recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. These “DACAmented” youth took part in nine photovoice sessions exploring their health care experiences and accessibility to care using documentary photography and narratives. They poignantly illustrated their experiences through images identifying their main health concerns and strengths, facilitating the development of health policy recommendations. This article illustrates the thematic findings and discusses policy recommendations and lessons learned from presentations to policy makers and health care providers. Findings suggest that immigrant youth are knowledgeable of their family’s health care needs and hold a unique and important position within mixed-status households. Health care providers can benefit from the proposed recommendations by building bridges to care to address health equity in immigrant communities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 233372141985545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Williams Agyemang-Duah ◽  
Charles Peprah ◽  
Francis Arthur-Holmes

In spite of the growing literature on prevalence and patterns of health care use in later life globally, studies have generally overlooked subjective standpoints of vulnerable Ghanaian older people obstructing the achievement of the United Nations’ health-related Sustainable Development Goals. We examined the prevalence and patterns of health care use among poor older people in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana. Cross-sectional data were obtained from an Aging, Health, Lifestyle and Health Services Survey conducted between June 1 and 20, 2018 ( N = 200). Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were carried out to estimate the differences between gender and health care utilization with significant level of less than or equal to 0.05. Whereas, 85% of the respondents utilized health care, females were higher utilizers (88% vs. 75%) but males significantly incurred higher health care expenditure. The majority utilized health services on monthly basis (38%) and consulted public health care providers (77%). While 68% utilized services from hospitals, most sourced health information from family members (54%) and financed their health care through personal income (45%). The study found that the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty grant played a little role in reducing health poverty. Stakeholders should review social programs that target poor older people in order to improve their well-being and utilization of health care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khushboo Qaim Ali ◽  
Sajid Bashir Soofi ◽  
Ali Shabbir Hussain ◽  
Uzair Ansari ◽  
Shaun Morris ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Simulators are an extensively utilized teaching tool in clinical settings. Simulation enables learners to practice and improve their skills in a safe and controlled environment before using these skills on patients. We evaluated the effect of a training session utilizing a novel intubation ultrasound simulator on the accuracy of provider detection of tracheal versus esophageal neonatal endotracheal tube (ETT) placement using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). We also investigated whether the time to POCUS image interpretation decreased with repeated simulator attempts. Methods Sixty neonatal health care providers participated in a three-hour simulator-based training session in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan. Participants included neonatologists, neonatal fellows, pediatric residents and senior nursing staff. The training utilized a novel low-cost simulator made with gelatin, water and psyllium fiber. Training consisted of a didactic session, practice with the simulator, and practice with intubated NICU patients. At the end of training, participants underwent an objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) and ten rounds of simulator-based testing of their ability to use POCUS to differentiate between simulated tracheal and esophageal intubations. Results The majority of the participants in the training had an average of 7.0 years (SD 4.9) of clinical experience. After controlling for gender, profession, years of practice and POCUS knowledge, linear mixed model and mixed effects logistic regression demonstrated marginal improvement in POCUS interpretation over repeated simulator testing. The mean time-to-interpretation decreased from 24.7 (SD 20.3) seconds for test 1 to 10.1 (SD 4.5) seconds for Test 10, p < 0.001. There was an average reduction of 1.3 s (β = − 1.3; 95% CI: − 1.66 to − 1.0) in time-to-interpretation with repeated simulator testing after adjusting for the covariates listed above. Conclusion We found a three-hour simulator-based training session had a significant impact on technical skills and performance of neonatal health care providers in identification of ETT position using POCUS. Further research is needed to examine whether these skills are transferable to intubated newborns in various health settings. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03533218. Registered May 2018.


Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 535
Author(s):  
Mariangela Valentina Puci ◽  
Guido Nosari ◽  
Federica Loi ◽  
Giulia Virginia Puci ◽  
Cristina Montomoli ◽  
...  

The ongoing pandemic scenario, due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has had a considerable impact on public health all over the world. Italy was one of the most affected countries, as the first European full-blown outbreak occurred there. The exposure of the Italian health care workers to COVID-19 may be an important risk factor for psychological distress. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe worries and risk perception of being infected among Italian Health Care Workers (HCWs) during the first wave of the pandemic. In total, 2078 HCWs participated in a web survey (78.8% were females). The highest percentage of respondents were physicians (40.75%) and nurses (32.15%), followed by medical (18.00%), health care support (4.50%) and administrative (4.60%) staff. In a score range between 0 (not worried) and 4 (very worried), our results showed that participants declared that they were worried about the Coronavirus infection with a median score of 3 (IQR 2-3) and for 59.19% the risk perception of being infected was very high. In addition, HCWs reported they suffered from sleep disturbances (63.43%). From the analysis of the psychological aspect, a possible divergence emerged between the perceived need for psychological support (83.85%) and the relative lack of this service among health care providers emerged (9.38%). Our findings highlight the importance of psychological and psychiatric support services not only during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in other emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) scenarios. These services may be useful for health authorities and policymakers to ensure the psychological well-being of health care professionals and to promote precautionary behaviors among them.


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