Cystic fibrosis and caseload midwifery

Midwives must provide woman-centred, holistic care for the diverse UK childbearing population. As the NHS moves to adopt the recommendations made in the ‘Better Births’ report, is there an argument to invest in protected caseload midwifery contacts for women with cystic fibrosis? Caseload midwifery refers to a continuity model where a small team of midwives provide care throughout the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal continuum. Cystic fibrosis affects multiple organ systems and requires specialist medical management during pregnancy. Living with cystic fibrosis has many psychosocial implications and pregnancy presents additional challenges. Health and wellbeing outcomes are improved when individuals are treated holistically in the non-pregnant population; therefore, during pregnancy, birth and postnatally, caseload midwifery may provide a legitimate intervention to improve health outcomes in pregnant women with cystic fibrosis.

A New Normal? Continued Impact of COVID19 on Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Research

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented challenges in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) clinical trials research. Scientists continue to grapple with the potential and multifaceted consequences of COVID-19. This presentation will discuss strategies used at a U.S. Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center to implement virtual methods to counter COVID-19’s impact on safety for continued research engagement; address the disparate impact by age, race, and ethnicity for online accessibility; and plans for virtual engagement in future research. As scientists navigate lasting implications of COVID-19, future study planning, design, and management will likely be altered. Specifically, increased awareness of participant-centered approaches, inclusion of psychosocial implications, and focus on ways to meet older adults’ unique needs of virtual accessibility will be needed. We must be intentional to counter COVID-19’s lasting impact on ADRD clinical trials research while maintaining rigor and reproducibility to uphold and progress advances toward treatment and cures for ADRD.

The relationship between fear of COVID-19 and anxiety in Honduran population

The purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and anxiety in the Honduran population. This was made through a quantitative methodology, using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). The sample consisted of 595 Honduran respondents, with a mean age of 25.10 years. The results suggest that female participants reported significantly higher scores in fear of COVID-19 and anxiety than men. A linear regression model determined that fear of COVID-19, sex and age were significant predictors of anxiety scores. The overall model had an r2 of 0.325, with fear of COVID-19 accounting for 29.9% of the variance in GAD-7 scores. The resulting model has a large effect size, f 2= 0.48. The results are discussed considering prior research and their psychosocial implications.

The parental experience and perceptions of blenderized tube feeding for children with medical complexity

Objectives Parents of children with medical complexity are often expected to implement complicated plans of care, such as enteral tube feeding, to support the health of their child. Enteral feeding can have psychosocial implications for the parent, child, and family. Blenderized tube feeding (BTF) refers to the administration of pureed food and drinks through a feeding tube. Little is known regarding parents’ experiences with BTF. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the lived experience of BTF from the parent’s perspective. Methods This qualitative study was a grounded theory analysis utilizing semi-structured interviews of parents who provided at least 50% of their child’s diet through BTF. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling from the Complex Care Program at a tertiary care paediatric centre. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved. Themes were identified using constant comparative analysis of transcribed interviews. Results Parents (n=10) felt that BTF positively affected the experience of tube feeding and enhanced their child’s health and wellbeing. Parents described BTF as a means of self-empowerment and a mechanism to normalize feeding and care for the entire family. Despite reporting BTF as more time consuming than formula feeding, all parents were satisfied with having made the change, and planned on continuing the diet. Conclusion BTFs can improve the experience of tube feeding and positively address some of the negative psychosocial implications of enteral tube feeding, providing a sense of normalcy and control for parents caring for a child with medical complexity.

Impact of Routine Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery on Subjective Olfaction and Gustation Outcomes

BACKGROUND As endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (EESBS) for sellar pathology has become routine, there is increasing awareness of quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes related to this approach. Similarly, there is a growing interest in postoperative chemosensory function, with notable emphasis on olfaction and the corresponding psychosocial implications of olfactory dysfunction. Meanwhile, there has been minimal direct investigation into gustatory outcomes, and the association between these 2 chemosensory functions remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate patient-reported chemosensory function and rhinologic-specific QOL following EESBS for routine sellar pathologies. METHODS Comprehensive clinical characteristics and sinonasal QOL assessments, measured using Anterior Skull Base Nasal Inventory-12 (ASK Nasal-12), were collected from 46 patients undergoing EESBS for sellar pathology. RESULTS Forty-six patients were included: 65.2% female, average age 52.8 yr (range: 27-89). The most common pathology was nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (n = 28). Preoperative ASK Nasal-12 scores (mean = 0.81) demonstrated postoperative worsening at 2 wk (mean = 2.52, P < .0001) and 1 mo (mean = 1.33, P = .0031), with no difference at 3 mo postoperatively (mean = 0.89, P = .92). Meanwhile, there was significant worsening of preoperative subjective smell (mean = 0.62) and taste function (mean = 0.42) at 2 wk (mean = 3.48, P < .0001; mean = 2.69, P < .0001) and 1 mo (mean = 2.40, P < .0001; mean = 2.03, P < .0001) postoperatively, which persisted at approximately 3 mo postoperatively (mean = 1.26, P = .04; mean = 1.15, P = .0059). CONCLUSION Patients undergoing EESBS for sellar pathologies experience anticipated, temporary disruptions in sinonasal QOL but may have longer lasting perturbations in subjective olfaction and gustation. Given the increasing use of the endoscopic endonasal corridor, further investigation in postoperative chemosensory function is essential.

Life after Domestic Homicide: Examining the Psychosocial Implications on Children-Survivor

Although the problem of domestic violence has received considerable attention, the study of domestic homicide is relatively recent and limited to precipitating conditions or the act itself. Most of the literature on familicide focuses on the personality characteristics of the victim and perpetrator or tries to answer the question, “How did the death happen?” Little notice, however, has been given to the children of the victim and offender who, in the midst of their loss and extreme suffering, inherit the fallout from the death of one parent, and incarceration of the other. The study therefore explored the psychosocial implications of parental absence on account of death and incarceration on surviving children. Qualitative data were obtained from 18 convicted and awaiting trial inmates for spousal homicide in three selected prisons in Lagos state, key informant interviews (KII) with four officials of Office of Public Defenders (OPD), three officials of Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and two child psychologists. Surviving children of domestic homicide suffer massive upheaval, psychiatric disturbance, ill health, financial difficulties, ostracism, scars from witnessing the domestic violence that preceded the murder and the propensity for future intrafamilial violence. The study concludes that direct and indirect exposure to domestic violence and homicide is negatively associated with children’s emotional, behavioural and developmental well-being. Hence, welfare of such children which should include therapy, relief of suffering, resolution of trauma symptoms, provision of supportive environment and clarification of cognitive or emotional distortions about the homicide should be incorporated in the prosecution process by relevant agencies.

Case Studies From Elite Youth Soccer: Reflections on Talent Development Practices

With early specialisation being commonplace within elite youth soccer, knowledge of the psychosocial implications associated with talent development practices would be of considerable use for the coaching practitioner. This paper uses case studies as a platform to discuss potential psychosocial implications of early specialisation, and further, it also offers practical suggestions for the elite youth soccer coach. Three case studies were chosen; each is an account of observations that took place within a British soccer academy. Themes of the case studies included adult-led structures in early specialisation, awareness of need thwarting coach behaviours, and the retention or release of players. The case studies were deliberately chosen to prompt discussion, reflection, and action. Following the presentation of each case study, a theoretically driven discussion is formulated. Practical suggestions are then provided to assist in the management of talent development practices within elite youth soccer and to further enrich the experiences of players. Concluding thoughts and areas for future research are briefly discussed.

Mapping the current psychology provision for children and young people with juvenile dermatomyositis

Objectives Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare, chronic autoimmune condition of childhood, with known psychosocial implications. In this study, we sought to establish current psychological support for children and young people across the UK with rheumatic conditions, with a specific focus on those with JDM. Methods Electronic surveys were distributed to the 15 centres that belong to the JDM Research Group in the UK, collecting responses from health-care professionals in the fields of medicine, nursing and psychology. Results One hundred per cent of professionals from medicine and nursing replied from all 15 centres. Of these, 7 (47%) did not have a named psychologist as part of their rheumatology team, despite the majority [13 (87%)] having >200 paediatric rheumatology patients. Of the remaining centres, hospital psychology provision varied considerably. When rating their service, only 3 (8%) of 40 professionals scored their service as five (where one is poor and five is excellent); there were wide discrepancies in these scores. Many challenges were discussed, including limited psychology provision, lack of time and difficulties in offering support across large geographical areas. Conclusion Many of the challenges discussed are applicable to other centres worldwide. Suggestions have been proposed that might help to improve the situation for children and young people with rheumatic conditions, including JDM. Based on these findings, we suggest that rheumatology teams maximize use of these data to advocate and work toward more comprehensive psychology provision and support in their individual centres.

Psychosocial Implications of Lockdown on Dental Professionals

COVID-19 infection as described by Merriam Webster 2 as a mild to severe respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus that is mainly transmitted through interaction or contact with transmittable material such as respiratory droplets or with matter or surfaces contaminated with the virus causing it. The main aim of this article was to review Psychosocial Implications of Lockdown on Dental Professionals. Due to the lockdown situation attributed to COVID-19 infection around the world, a large number of dentists are affected in every aspect of life mentally, physically and economically. The self employed dentists were also concerned about their financial consequences personally. In a country like India, where a large number of cases are asymptomatic or with no or very little symptoms of infection have increased problems for dentists. On research front, very few studies are conducted till now to determine Psychological wellbeing of dental professionals and factors associated with it during COVID-19 health emergency.