Assessing Environmental Safety Modifications in the Chronically Ill Sheltered Homeless Population: A Pilot Study

Abstract Background Parents of children with metabolic diseases report more parenting stress, anxiety, depression and dysfunctional parenting styles than parents of children without metabolic diseases. In addition, their children have more behavioral problems. Beside the fact that metabolic diseases are rare, they form a relatively large proportion in the morbidity and mortality of chronically ill children. Methods In this pilot study 14 parents of children with metabolic diseases, aged between 2.5 and 13 years, participated in a quasi-experimental pre-post-follow-up study. Results After participating in the Level 4 Group Triple P-program there were small effects in decreasing child behavioral problems and large effects in decreasing dysfunctional parenting styles. There was a moderate to large reduction of parental stress and a large reduction of parental anxiety. Only the effects on the behavioral problems and the parenting style ‘laxness’ were no longer significant at 6 months follow-up. Conclusions In summary it can be said that the existing Triple P-program has good effects, with a great degree of satisfaction, for parents of children with metabolic diseases in reducing dysfunctional parenting styles, parenting stress and behavioral problems of their children. One should not wait for a specialized program to reach these parents, but further research is necessary as a greater effect can be expected when this program is adapted to these parents.

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Pilot Study of the Effect of Plant‐Based Enteral Nutrition on the Gut Microbiota in Chronically Ill Tube‐Fed Children

Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition ◽

10.1002/jpen.1504 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 43 (7) ◽

pp. 899-911 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Danielle McClanahan ◽

Andrew Yeh ◽

Brian Firek ◽

Stacey Zettle ◽

Matthew Rogers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Enteral Nutrition ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Chronically Ill

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Paramedic student empathetic attitudes towards homelessness: a mixed methods pilot study

International Journal of Emergency Services ◽

10.1108/ijes-08-2019-0047 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 273-282

Author(s):

Shamant Prakash ◽

Shannon Brown ◽

Michelle Murphy ◽

Brett Williams

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Focus Group ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Medical Condition ◽

Salvation Army ◽

Homeless Population ◽

Social Advocacy ◽

Content Type ◽

Mixed Method Design ◽

Group A

PurposeCurrent statistics highlight the increasing prevalence of homelessness in Australia, however, there is scant research regarding empathy and homelessness in the paramedic literature. Research in other areas of healthcare demonstrates that interaction with the homeless can positively impact empathetic attitudes and also highlights the opportunity to examine if these results are consistent or generalisable to the Australian paramedic profession. Therefore, the aim of our study was to explore paramedic students' empathetic attitudes towards homelessness.Design/methodology/approachA sequential mixed method design study was undertaken using a repeated measures and focus group approach. Paramedic students participated in clinical experience, involving interactions with the homeless. This entailed participating in at least four shifts (11 pm – 5 am) where students gained experience at the Salvation Army Health Café or with the Youth Street Teams in Melbourne, Australia. Empathy levels of the paramedic students toward homelessness, both pre- and post- were measured using the Medical Condition Regard Scale (MCRS) and the Health Professionals' Attitudes Toward the Homeless Inventory (HPATHI). A focus group with student participants was also conducted to obtain further detailed information about their perceptions of the experience.FindingsA total of 20 students participated (100% response rate). Statistically significant (p < 0.05) increases were observed on the MCRS pre- to post- data with total mean scores of 48.35 (SD ± 8.33) and 51.65 (SD ± 5.56), respectively. On the HPATHI a statistically significant (p < 0.0001) increase in Personal Advocacy was observed. Eight of these students took part in a subsequent focus group. Following thematic analysis of the focus group, a number of common themes were identified that included: communication, empathy and rapport, and a change in perception and attitude.Originality/valueThe results of this pilot study demonstrate that through participation in a project involving experience interacting with the homeless population, paramedic students showed a greater level of empathy towards the homeless. Increases in empathetic regard, social advocacy and personal advocacy were also found.

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Transition of the Chronically Ill Youth to Adult Health Care: A Pilot Study on the Experience of Youth with Hemoglobinopathy

Journal of Pediatric Health Care ◽

10.1016/j.pedhc.2009.06.017 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (5) ◽

pp. e31 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rosalind Bryant

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Chronically Ill ◽

Adult Health ◽

Adult Health Care

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Medication non-adherence in the homeless population in an Intermountain West city

INNOVATIONS in pharmacy ◽

10.24926/iip.v5i2.342 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elizabeth J. Unni ◽

Riki Ashment ◽

Elizabeth Miller ◽

Andrew M. Draper

Keyword(s):

Salt Lake ◽

Salt Lake City ◽

Chronically Ill ◽

Homeless Population ◽

Adherence Rate ◽

Original Research ◽

Continuous Measure ◽

Pharmacy Records ◽

Medication Refill ◽

Chronic Medications

Background: Homelessness happens when people or household are unable to acquire and/or maintain housing they can afford. Approximately 17% of homeless individuals are also chronically ill. Studies have often not objectively measured medication non- adherence among the homeless population, probably due to lack of consistent pharmacy records. This study proposed to objectively estimate medication non-adherence to chronic medications among the homeless population in Salt Lake City, Utah. Methods: A retrospective study design was used based on the pharmacy records from the Fourth Street Pharmacy based on four classes of chronic medications - asthma, diabetes, statins, and psychiatric medications. Data was collected between November 1, 2010 and February 28, 2011 on the variables: date of original prescription, number of refills on the original prescription, date of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fills, age, gender, and race. Primary non-adherence and medication refill non-adherence based on Continuous Measure of Medication Gaps were calculated. Results: The medication refill non-adherence rate was 38.8% with asthma medications, 38.5% with diabetic medications, 27.2% with statins, and 47.1% with psychiatric medications. The primary non-adherence rate varied from zero percent to 20%. Conclusion: The study concluded that this population has comparable non-adherence rates with asthma, diabetes, cholesterol lowering, and certain psychiatric medications than the general population. Type: Original Research

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Myofunctional Device Use in Oral Care and Swallowing: Protocol for a Pilot Study in an Aged Care Population

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1063132/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hollie-Ann Lee Shortland ◽

Sally Hewat ◽

Gwendalyn Webb ◽

Anne E. Vertigan

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Aspiration Pneumonia ◽

Oral Hygiene ◽

Systemic Disease ◽

Oral Care ◽

Chronically Ill ◽

Aged Care ◽

Care Staff ◽

Secondary Outcome

Abstract BackgroundPoor oral health is a known predictor of aspiration pneumonia in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and chronically ill and has been linked to systemic disease, morbidity, and mortality. Reduced oral health not only places individuals at a greater risk of aspiration pneumonia but may result in pain or poorer dentition which can impact on mastication and swallowing. Consequences of this may include reduced oral intake, malnutrition, poorer health outcomes and reduced quality of life. Few evidence-based protocols exist to manage oral care in aged care populations, and maintenance of good oral hygiene is difficult for nursing and care staff to facilitate. However, myofunctional devices reportedly improve oral hygiene, oral behaviours, and swallowing, along with breathing and speech. The primary aims of this study are to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a using a myofunctional device to improve oral care and swallowing function in an aged care population. Methods/DesignThis project is a pilot study that involves a five-week intervention for oral hygiene and dysphagia for residents >65 years old in an aged care setting. Feasibility will be measured by number of consenting participants, trial completion rates, and treatment adherence. Acceptability will be measured through verbal surveys of aged care residents and a questionnaire of care staff assisting with the intervention. Secondary outcome measures will record changes in oral hygiene and dysphagia pre and post intervention. DiscussionThe results of this trial will provide important information regarding the acceptability and feasibility of utilising a myofunctional device to improve oral care and dysphagia in elderly patients in an aged care facility. This knowledge will further guide and inform design of a larger trial or future research. Trial registrationThis trial was registered 8/10/2021 with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry and allocated the ACTRN: ACTRN12621001359820. Web address for trial: https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12621001359820.aspx

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