Systematic Review of Dementia Support Programs with Multicultural and Multilingual Populations

Background: Dementia care programs have become more common due to a growing number of persons living with dementia and lack of substantial benefit from pharmacologic therapies. Cultural and language differences may present barriers to access and efficacy of these programs. In this article, we aimed to systematically review the current literature regarding outcomes of dementia care programs that included multicultural and non-English speaking populations. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using four scientific search engines. All studies included in the review are English language, randomized control trials evaluating various care coordination models. The initial search strategy focusing on studies specifically targeting multicultural and non-English speaking populations resulted in too few articles. We expanded our search to articles that included these populations although these populations may not have been the focus of the study. Results: Seven articles met inclusion criteria for final review. Measured outcomes included emergency room use, hospitalizations, provider visits, quality of life indicators, depression scores, and caregiver burden. Conclusions: Dementia care programs demonstrate significant ability to provide support and improve outcomes for those living with dementia and their caregivers. There is limited research in this field and thus opportunity for further study in underserved and safety net populations including more high-quality randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes.

The quality of life of patients after reconstructive and reconstructive breast surgery

The quality of life indicators of 70 patients who underwent reconstructive and reconstructive breast surgery were studied. We used a depression test questionnaire and questionnaires on the quality of life. The patients were divided into 3 groups. It was found that a higher level of depression in group II compared to group I. Low level of depression in group III. Indicators of the physical component of health are the highest in group II compared to groups I and III. Low indicators of the physical component of health in group III patients. Indicators of the psychological component of health are higher in group III compared to groups II and I. Higher indicators of the psychological component of health in patients of groups II and III. Key words: quality of life, mammary glands, reconstructive and reconstructive operations, neoplasms, psycho-emotional status.

A Case for Higher Public Spending

Studies by psychologists, sociologists, and economists indicate that increases in incomes beyond a moderate level are not related to happiness nor significantly with the objective quality-of-life indicators (which increase with scientific and technological breakthroughs at the global level). Yet everyone wants more money. This may be explained by environmental disruption, relative-income effects, inadequate recognition of adaptation effects, and the materialistic bias due to our accumulation instinct and advertising. These factors cause a bias towards private consumption, making public spending, especially on research and environmental protection (with their long-term and global public-good nature) well below optimal. This is made worse by economists’ emphasis on the excess burden of taxation, ignoring the negative excess burden on the spending side. As Kaplow argues, if taxes are raised in accordance to the benefits of the funded public goods at the respective income levels, no disincentive effects are involved.

MATERIAL AND SUBJECTIVE WELLBEING OF MALAYSIAN HOUSEHOLD: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

The concept of wellbeing has attracted many researchers in multi-disciplines. Objective wellbeing particularly focuses on quality of life indicators such as material resources (material wellbeing). While, subjective wellbeing emphasizes on subjective experiences and judgments of individuals in their lives in better ways. In fact, numerous studies have shown several determinants associated with material and subjective wellbeing. To gain better understanding, the purpose of this study is to explore the impact of demographic factors, including age, gender income, education and health status on both material and subjective wellbeing among households. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the district of Alor Gajah, Melaka which had the second highest score of Malaysian Wellbeing Index 2016. By using self-administered questionnaires, the present study employed non-proportionate random sampling involving households. The findings revealed that demographic factors are associated with material and subjective wellbeing.

Telemedicine interventions for older adults: A systematic review

Introduction Telemedicine may help improve older adults' access, health outcomes, and quality of life indicators. This review aims to provide current evidence on the effectiveness of telemedicine in the aged population. Method A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science electronic databases between January 2015 and September 2021 using the keywords “telemedicine” or “telehealth” and “older people” or “geriatrics” or “elderly.” The articles were classified under three headings according to the purposes: feasibility, diagnosis and management of chronic diseases, and patient satisfaction. Results A total of 22 articles were included. Across most disciplines, evidence has shown that telemedicine is as effective as usual care, if not more so, in the feasibility, chronic disease management, and patient satisfaction of the elderly. However, a few studies reported challenges such as difficulty with technology, hearing problems, and the inability to perform hands-on examinations for physicians. Conclusion Findings from this review support the view that health care providers can use telemedicine to manage elderly individuals in conjunction with usual health care. However, future research is needed to eliminate barriers to increasing telemedicine use among older adults.

The role of quality of life indicators in the assessment of professional burnout syndrome in different categories of workers

The organization of work of workers of various professions associated with intense and quite often intense interpersonal communication is an object of increasingly active attention. This applies to medical professionals. Medical workers experience psycho-emotional overload, which can lead to diseases, a decrease in the quality of life. The COVID-19 pandemic has particularly acute the problem of professional burnout syndrome among medical workers. The article discusses the role of quality of life indicators in assessing the syndrome of professional burnout in different categories of workers. Professional burnout syndrome is a significant and relevant medical and social problem, and aspects related to the quality of life can considerably impact the risk of developing professional burnout syndrome.

Relationship between quality of life indicators and cardiac status indicators in chemotherapy patients

Aim With the aim of improving personalized treatment of patients on chemotherapy, the objective of the study was to assess the degree of association between selected Quality of life (QoL) indicators and both clinical and imaging cardiac status indicators when detecting deterioration in QoL of these patients. Methods In a cohort clinical study in Hamburg, from August 2017 through October 2020, 59 cancer patients, aged 18-80 years, were evaluated before chemotherapy, and at several follow-ups, using EQ-5D and SF-36 QoL questionnaires, fast strain-encoded (fast-SENC) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), conventional CMR, and echocardiography, and further received a clinical and biomarker examination. Data was analyzed using survival analyses. A decline of more than 5% in each observed QoL metric value was defined as the observed event. Patient were separated into groups according to the presentation of cardiotoxicity as per its clinical definition, the establishment of the indication for cardioprotective therapy initiation, and by a worsening in the value of each observed imaging metric by more than 5% in the previous follow-up compared to the corresponding pre-chemotherapy baseline value. Results Among clinical cardiac status indicators, the indication for cardioprotective therapy showed statistically good association with QoL scores (EQ-5D p=0.028; SF-36 physical component p=0.016; SF-36 mental component p=0.012). In terms of imaging metrics, the MyoHealth segmental myocardial strain score was the only one demonstrating consistently good QoL score association (EQ-5D p=0.005; SF-36 physical component p=0.056; SF-36 mental component p=0.002). Conclusions Established fast-SENC CMR scores are capable of highlighting patients with reduced QoL, who require more frequent/optimal management.

Psychosocial and Functional Predictors of Mental Disorder among Prostate Cancer Survivors: Informing Survivorship Care Programs with Evidence-Based Knowledge

Recent research has revealed that prostate cancer (PCa) survivors are facing a silent epidemic of mental disorder. These findings are not surprising when the side effects of highly effective current treatment modalities are considered. Here, we assess the association between urinary function and quality of life indicators to mental disorder among survivors of PCa. This is a cross sectional examination of an analytical sample of 362 men with a history of PCa residing in the Maritimes who took a survey assessing social, physical and health-related quality of life indicators between 2017 and 2021. Mental disorder was assessed using Kessler’s Psychological Distress Scale (K-10). Predictor variables included emotional, functional, social/family and spiritual well-being, measured by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P), and urinary function was measured by International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Multivariate logistic regression analysis evaluated the contribution of predictors while controlling for age, income, survivorship time (months) since diagnosis, relationship status and treatment modality. Mental disorder was identified among 15.8% of PCa survivors in this sample. High emotional (aOR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69–0.96) and spiritual well-being (aOR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81–0.96) were protective factors against mental disorder. Men who screened positive for moderate to severe urinary tract symptoms had three times higher odds (aOR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.10, 8.32) of screening positive for mental disorder. Men who were on active surveillance or radical prostatectomy with or without added treatment had higher (aOR = 5.87, 95% CI: 1.32–26.13 or aOR = 4.21, 95% CI: 1.07–16.51, respectively) odds of screening positive for mental disorder compared to men who received radiation treatment with or without hormonal therapy for their PCa diagnosis. Unmet emotional and spiritual needs, increased urinary problems and some forms of treatment (e.g., active surveillance or surgery) were associated with mental disorder among PCa survivors. The development of survivorship care programs and support systems that focus on the long-term effects of PCa treatments and the consequences of unmet psychosocial needs of patients during the survivorship journey are critically needed.