scholarly journals Journeys to HIV testing and diagnosis among adults aged 50+ years in England: A qualitative interview study

2020 ◽  
pp. 135581962094324
Author(s):  
Sadie Bell ◽  
Tim Doran ◽  
Fabiola Martin ◽  
Joy Adamson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Hiv Symptoms

Objectives In England, older adults (aged ≥50 years) are at greater risk of being diagnosed with advanced stage HIV infection than younger adults. We explored journeys to testing and diagnosis among older adults, examining factors associated with late HIV diagnosis in this age group. Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews were performed with 12 adults diagnosed with HIV at age 50+ years and 12 health care professionals working in sexual health/HIV services. Data were analysed thematically, using the Model of Pathways to Treatment as a framework for analysis. Results Older adults were often found to experience non-linear and complex diagnostic journeys. Pathways to diagnosis were affected by 6 factors: (i) the non-specific nature of HIV symptoms and their misattribution as being age-related; (ii) symptom severity, impact, and visibility; (iii) HIV health literacy; (iv) perceptions of HIV risk; (v) geographical location; and (vi) assessment in non-specialist settings. Conclusions Older adults appear to encounter additional barriers to HIV testing compared with younger people, particularly when they are not part of a group targeted in HIV prevention and testing campaigns. To diagnose HIV more promptly in adults aged 50+ years, HIV knowledge and risk perception must increase in both older people and health care professionals. Health care professionals need to look beyond the ‘high risk’ groups that are most affected by HIV and consider HIV more readily in the diagnostic process.

Older Adults’ Perceptions of Frailty Language: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Pamela Durepos ◽  
Mariko Sakamoto ◽  
Kyla Alsbury ◽  
Patricia Hewston ◽  
Julia Borges ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
First Language ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Multiple Domains

Abstract There is growing interest in conceptualizing and diagnosing frailty. Less is understood, however, about older adults’ perceptions of the term “frail”, and the implications of being classified as “frail”. The purpose of this scoping review was to map the breadth of primary studies; and describe the meaning, perceptions, and perceived implications of frailty language amongst community-dwelling older adults. Eight studies were included in the review and three core themes were identified: (1) understanding frailty as inevitable age-related decline in multiple domains, (2) perceiving frailty as a generalizing label, and (3) perceiving impacts of language on health and health care utilization. Clinical practice recommendations for health care professionals working with individuals with frailty include: (1) maintaining a holistic view of frailty that extends beyond physical function to include psychosocial and environmental constructs, (2) using person-first language, and (3) using a strengths-based approach to discuss aspects of frailty.

scholarly journals Facilitating the use of personal safety alerting device with older adults: The views, experiences and roles of relatives and health care professionals

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 935-942
Author(s):  
Friederike JS Thilo ◽  
Sabine Hahn ◽  
Ruud JG Halfens ◽  
Birgit Heckemann ◽  
Jos MGA Schols
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Personal Safety

Correlates of Ageism Among Health Care Professionals Working With Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziyafet Uğurlu ◽  
Sultan Kav ◽  
Azize Karahan ◽  
Ebru Akgün Çıtak
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Student’S T Test

Introduction: The changing proportion of older adults in society necessitates the need to determine the attitudes of health care professionals toward older adults. The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes of ageism and its correlates among health care professionals working with older adults. Method: This descriptive study was conducted in seven hospitals in five cities in Turkey. A total of 628 health care professionals participated in this study. The Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA) was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, student’s t test, one-way analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression were used for data analysis. Results: The mean total score from the FSA was 56.9 ( SD = 8.0). Education (β = −.18, p < .001) and difficulty with the care of older adults (β = −.10, p < .05) were statistically significant predictors of the FSA score. Conclusions: The attitudes of health care professionals toward older adults were generally positive and affected by difficulty in providing care and the educational status of the health care professionals.

scholarly journals Understanding the perspectives of older adults and elderly regarding vaccination; a snapshot in four European countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Timen ◽  
R Eilers ◽  
S Lockhart ◽  
R Gavioli ◽  
S Paul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Syncytial Virus

Abstract Prevention of infectious diseases in elderly by immunization is a prerequisite to ensuring healthy ageing. However, in order for the vaccine programs to be effective, these need to be provided by health care professionals who have up-to-date knowledge and high motivation. Furthermore, the knowledge and attitudes towards vaccination in the targeted age groups needs to be fully understood. When focusing on the information provision, it is important to know from whom or which institution older adults and elderly would like to receive and in which form. In January 2019, an international project called the VITAL (The Vaccines and InfecTious diseases in the Ageing population) project was started, within the framework of IMI (Innovative Medicines Initiatives). One of the goals of the VITAL project is to develop strategies to educate and train health care professionals (HCPs) and to promote awareness among stakeholders involved in elderly care management. We briefly focus on the results of studies undertaken in four European countries (Italy, France, The Netherlands and Hungary), which reveal the perspective of older adults and elderly regarding influenza, pneumococcal, herpes zoster vaccination and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well as generic characteristics of the vaccines and diseases. We will show how attitudes towards vaccination are represented in our study population and which determinants influence the decision-making process of accepting vaccination. Furthermore, we shall elaborate on how the decision-making process towards vaccination takes place and which additional information is needed. In the second part of the session, we shall invite the audience to reflect on the findings and identify the factors they consider most important for setting up a training and education programme on vaccination.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Hearing Loss and Cognitive Impairment in a Chinese Elderly Population: The Baseline Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinxing Fu ◽  
Bo Liu ◽  
Shuo Wang ◽  
Robert H. Eikelboom ◽  
Dona M. P. Jayakody
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale ◽  
Paired Associates ◽  
Multiple Stepwise Regression Analysis ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Hearing Loss

Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate the association between untreated age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment in Mandarin-speaking older adults living in China.Methods: Older adults (293; 111 males, M = 70.33 ± 4.90 years; 182 females, M = 69.02 ± 4.08 years) were recruited. All participants completed a pure tone audiometric hearing assessment, Hearing Impairment-Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (HI-MoCA), and a computerized neuropsychology test battery (CANTAB). The Mandarin version of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale was used to measure the loneliness, and the Mandarin version of the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to measure the current severity of a range of symptoms common to depression, stress, and anxiety of the participants.Results: A multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the average of four mid-frequency thresholds in the better ear was related to CANTAB Paired Associates Learning (β = 0.20, p = 0.002), and the global cognitive function score (HI-MoCA) (β = −0.25, p &lt; 0.001). The average of three high frequencies in the better ear was significantly associated with CANTAB Delayed Matching to Sample (β = −0.16, p = 0.008), and Spatial Working Memory (β = 0.17, p = 0.003).Conclusion: The results revealed a significant relationship between age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment in Mandarin-speaking older adults. These research outcomes have clinical implications specifically for hearing health care professionals in China and other populations that speak a tonal language, especially when providing hearing rehabilitation.

Designing and Implementing a Comprehensive Telehealth Aural Rehabilitation Program for Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Cornetta L. Mosley
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Cochlear Implants ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Perceptual Training ◽  
Aural Rehabilitation ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
The University

Purpose A comprehensive aural rehabilitation (AR) program incorporates sensory management, perceptual training, counseling, and instruction. However, the process of designing and implementing such a program is inconsistent across clinical sites, and additional information regarding the use of teleaudiology to implement AR services is needed. The purpose of this clinical focus article is to describe the process of creating and implementing a comprehensive teleaudiology AR program for older adults who use cochlear implants (CIs) at the University of South Alabama (USA) Speech & Hearing Center. Conclusions A comprehensive teleaudiology AR program may be successfully designed and implemented for older adult populations. Information provided in this clinical focus article may serve as a guide or example for other trained health care professionals looking to create an in-person or telehealth AR program for older adults who use CIs. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16755289

scholarly journals Experienced Loneliness in Home-Based Rehabilitation: Perspectives of Older Adults With Disabilities and Their Health Care Professionals

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 233339361983166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sine Lykke ◽  
Charlotte Handberg
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Interpretive Description ◽  
Adults With Disabilities ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Home Based ◽  
And Coping

This study aimed to describe and interpret perspectives of older adults with disabilities and their health care professionals (HCPs) on experienced loneliness during home-based rehabilitation. The interpretive description methodology guided the study. Data included semistructured individual interviews with seven older adults and a focus group interview with three HCPs. The analysis revealed four main findings that symbolized experienced loneliness. “Unspoken pain” and “gatekeeping emotions” concerning experienced loneliness as a taboo and stigma during rehabilitation were closely connected. “Resignation” and “awaiting company” signified the consequences of experienced loneliness when not addressed. Unspoken pain, gatekeeping emotions, resignation, and awaiting company were dominating experiences in the lives of the older adults during a home-based rehabilitation program following disability. This had restrained them from verbalizing and coping with loneliness during rehabilitation and life in general. The HCPs’ attempt to provide support for the older adults in coping with loneliness appeared to be characterized by gatekeeping emotions and keeping hidden agendas.

Improving diagnosis by improving education: a policy brief on education in healthcare professions

Diagnosis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark L. Graber ◽  
Joseph Rencic ◽  
Diana Rusz ◽  
Frank Papa ◽  
Pat Croskerry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Clinical Reasoning ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Safety Concern ◽  
Diagnostic Error ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
And Training

Abstract Diagnostic error is increasingly recognized as a major patient safety concern. Efforts to improve diagnosis have largely focused on safety and quality improvement initiatives that patients, providers, and health care organizations can take to improve the diagnostic process and its outcomes. This educational policy brief presents an alternative strategy for improving diagnosis, centered on future healthcare providers, to improve the education and training of clinicians in every health care profession. The hypothesis is that we can improve diagnosis by improving education. A literature search was first conducted to understand the relationship of education and training to diagnosis and diagnostic error in different health care professions. Based on the findings from this search we present the justification for focusing on education and training, recommendations for specific content that should be incorporated to improve diagnosis, and recommendations on educational approaches that should be used. Using an iterative, consensus-based process, we then developed a driver diagram that categorizes the key content into five areas. Learners should: 1) Acquire and effectively use a relevant knowledge base, 2) Optimize clinical reasoning to reduce cognitive error, 3) Understand system-related aspects of care, 4) Effectively engage patients and the diagnostic team, and 5) Acquire appropriate perspectives and attitudes about diagnosis. These domains echo recommendations in the National Academy of Medicine’s report Improving Diagnosis in Health Care. The National Academy report suggests that true interprofessional education and training, incorporating recent advances in understanding diagnostic error, and improving clinical reasoning and other aspects of education, can ultimately improve diagnosis by improving the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of all health care professionals.

Interprofessional Team-Based Care

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beverly Lunsford ◽  
Terry A. Mikovich
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Coordination Of Care ◽  
Palliative Care Teams

As older adults live longer, they experience a concomitant increase in chronic illness, which may be associated with a more frequent need for health care and intermittent or progressive functional decline. There is an increased need for regular health care monitoring as well as treatment and coordination of care among multiple providers and across settings to prevent, delay, or minimize decline in health and quality of life. Interprofessional collaboration is critical for safe coordination of care, reduction of duplication in services, and cost containment. Health care professionals who serve older adults are developing new models of collaboration to provide more integrated and person-centered approaches to maintaining the quality of life for older adults, especially those with multiple chronic illnesses. These models include health-oriented teams, home and community-based services, Acute Care for Elders (ACE), home-based primary care, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), comprehensive geriatric assessment, and palliative care teams.

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