Validity and Reliability of the Singer Reflux Symptom Score (sRSS)

Objectives: To investigate the reliability and validity of the Singer Reflux Symptom Score (sRSS), a new patient-reported outcome questionnaire documenting the severity of reflux symptoms in singing voice is proposed. Methods: Amateur and professional singers consulting the European Reflux Clinic for laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) symptoms and findings were prospectively recruited from January 2022 to February 2023. The diagnosis was based on a Reflux Symptom Score (RSS) > 13 and Reflux Sign Assessment (RSA) > 14. A control group of asymptomatic singer subjects was recruited from the University of Mons. The sRSS was rated within a 7-day period to assess test–retest reliability. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach’s α in patients and controls. A correlation analysis was performed between sRSS and Singing Voice Handicap Index (sVHI) to evaluate convergent validity. Responsiveness to change was evaluated through pre- to post-treatment sRSS changes. The sRSS threshold for suggesting a significant impact of LPRD on singing voice was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Thirty-three singers with suspected LPRD (51.5% female; mean age: 51.8 ± 17.2 years) were consecutively recruited. Difficulty reaching high notes and vocal fatigue were the most prevalent LPRD-related singing complaints. The sRSS demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach-α = 0.832), test–retest reliability, and external validity (correlation with sVHI: r = 0.654; p = 0.015). Singers with suspected LPRD reported a significant higher sRSS compared to 68 controls. sRSS item and total scores significantly reduced from pre-treatment to 3 months post-treatment except for the abnormal voice breathiness item. ROC analysis revealed superior diagnostic accuracy for sRSS (AUC = 0.971) compared to sRSS-quality of life (AUC = 0.926), with an optimal cutoff at sRSS > 38.5 (sensitivity: 90.3%; specificity: 85.0%). Conclusions: The sRSS is a reliable and valid singer-reported outcome questionnaire for documenting singing symptoms associated with LPRD leading to personalized management of Singers. Future large-cohort studies are needed to evaluate its specificity for LPRD compared to other vocal fold disorders in singers

'Beyond the desired effect': Patients' experiences in identifying and managing side effects from medicines

Side effects from medicines can have considerable negative impact on peoples' daily lives. As a result of an aging UK population and attendant multi-morbidity, an increasing number of medicines are being prescribed for patients, leading to increased risk of unintended side effects. The aim of this study was to explore experiences and opinions of patients and the public in identifying and managing side effects from medicines. It also sought to develop a novel causality scale for use by patients to assess suspected side effects. A mixed methods approach with four phases was selected. In Phase One surveys were distributed in pharmacies to gather information on patients' experiences of side effects and recruit potential interviewees for the following phase (935 surveys distributed; 230 returned). In-depth interviews were conducted in Phase Two with 15 people who had experienced side effects. These explored their opinions and experiences and informed Phase Three. This phase developed and validated a side effects assessment tool for patients' use (SE-PAST). The validation consisted of two strands, initial validation (by 31 assessors) followed by online validation (273 completed responses). In Phase Four 2285 patient reports to the Yellow Card Scheme were examined to learn about experiences of side effects, to investigate the value of patient reports to pharmacovigilance and to compare experiences of Yellow Card reporters to the public. This study provided novel insights into the strategies employed by patients to identify and manage their side effects. Patients seeking side effect information used a variety of information sources and the findings suggest that a key aspect of source selection may be a hierarchy of source characteristics. The strategies used to manage side effects varied, including both cognitive and behavioural responses such as non-adherence and consultation with healthcare professionals. The findings suggest that these strategies were influenced by a range of factors including established health beliefs; previous experience of side effects and cognitive biases. Areas of similarity and difference were identified between Yellow Card reporters and the general public. There was evidence of patterns in the causative drugs, the type and impacts of effects between those who report side effects and the wider public; however there was a difference in coping strategies between these groups, with non-adherence being more prevalent among Yellow Card reporters. Most on-line users of the SE-PAST agreed it would encourage them to report their side effect or talk to a healthcare professional about it. The thesis provides a unique and insightful perspective on patients' personal experiences of side effects, with implications for policy and practice. It has established that side effects can have noteworthy impacts with prolonged consequences on many aspects of patients' lives

Sigma Theta Tau International 43rd Biennial Convention 2015 Conference Proceedings

The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) conducted its 43rd Biennial Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA from 7-11 November 2015. More than 2,000 nurses from around the world gathered at the convention, which had as its theme “Serve Locally, Transform Regionally, Lead Globally.†Program objectives of the 43rd Biennial Convention include: Identify strategies that promote collaboration in interprofessional initiatives Enrich the achievement of knowledge, leadership, and professional service to promote and sustain collaboration amongst diverse communities Explore innovative strategies to promote excellence in global nursing Enhance clinical, patient, and educational outcomes through transformative nursing practice This PDF ebook is amazingly searchable. In reflection of that, you will not find a lot of internal linking. Simply select the search option and type any search keyword or name you want to explore. These conference proceedings are a collection of abstracts submitted by the authors and presented at the convention. To promptly disseminate the information and ideas, participants submitted descriptive information and abstracts of at least 300, but no more than 1,500 words. Each oral and poster presentation abstract was peer-reviewed in a double-blind process in which three scholars used specific scoring criteria to judge the abstracts in accordance with the requirements of STTI’s Guidelines for Electronic Abstract Submission. Finally, the opinions, advice, and information contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of STTI or its members. The enhanced abstracts provided in these proceedings were taken directly from authors’ submissions, without alteration. While all due care was taken in the compilation of these proceedings, STTI does not warrant that the information is free from errors or omission, or accept any liability in relation to the quality, accuracy, and currency of the information. Format for Citing Papers Author. (Year). Title of paper. In Title of conference proceedings (page numbers). Place of publication: Publisher. Example: Smith, C. C. (2016). Nursing research and global impact. In Sigma Theta Tau International 43rd Biennial Convention 2015 Conference Proceedings (pp. xxx–xxx). Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau International.https://www.sigmarepository.org/book_excerpts/1043/thumbnail.jp