Promotion of physical activity for adolescents with cystic fibrosis: a qualitative study of UK multi disciplinary cystic fibrosis teams

Background: The Cystic Fibrosis Trust recently published a standards of care document which stated that patients should be given a physical activity (PA) programme based on their motivations, fitness, and willingness to be active. However, there remains much debate regarding the roles and responsibilities for PA promotion, as well as “optimal” recommendations and advice. This study aimed to qualitatively explore cystic fibrosis (CF) multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) advice, recommendations and practices relating to PA promotion for adolescents with CF. / Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen members of CF MDTs (11 physiotherapists, two dieticians and two paediatricians). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. / Results: Major themes identified were: (1) structure of MDTs, (2) recommendations relating to intensities, durations and types of PA, and (3) use of exercise testing. Participants reported variation between MDTs in terms of who is responsible for promoting and supporting PA, the nature of advice given to patients, and the use of exercise testing. Participants consistently lacked confidence in their own or others’ knowledge to provide standardised recommendations to patients and highlighted that PA promotion and support was often overlooked during busy periods. / Conclusions: Despite its importance, PA support and promotion is not always prioritised. MDTs lack confidence in their ability to promote PA. Standardised advice and training relating to optimal intensities, durations and types of PA would provide a baseline from which to individualise advice to each patient and could increase confidence in PA promotion among MDTs

Interaction

The challenge of coping with the overload of multimedia data has been growing since the advent of digital cameras and broadband connections to the home. Not only the techniques for storing, annotating and search are essential for helping the user to face this challenge, a well-considered user interaction design and an intuitive user interface are equally important in helping the user to find interesting content

The Effect of a Care Transition Intervention on the Patient Experience of Older Multi-Lingual Adults in the Safety Net: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) and Care Transitions Measure (CTM-3) scores are patient experience measures used to determine hospital value-based purchasing reimbursement. Interventions to improve 30-day readmissions have met with mixed results, but less is known about their potential to improve the patient experience among older ethnically and linguistically diverse adults receiving care at safety-net hospitals. In this study, we assessed the effect of a nurse-led hospital-based care transition intervention on discharge-related patient experience in an older multilingual population of adults hospitalized at a safety-net hospital. Methods: We randomized 700 inpatients aged 55 and older at an academic urban safety-net hospital. In addition to usual care, intervention participants received inpatient visits by a language-concordant study nurse and post-discharge phone calls from a language-concordant nurse practitioner to reinforce the care plan and to address acute complaints. We measured HCAHPS nursing, medication, and discharge communication domain scores and CTM-3 scores at 30 days after hospital discharge. Results: Of 685 participants who survived to 30 days, 90 % (n = 616) completed follow-up interviews. The mean age was 66.2 years; over half (54.2 %) of the participants had cognitive impairment, and 33.8 % had moderate to severe depression. The majority (62.1 %) of interviews were conducted in English; 23.3 % were conducted in Chinese and 14.6 % in Spanish. Study nurses spent an average of 157 min with intervention participants. Between intervention and usual care participants, CTM-3 scores (80.5 % vs 78.5 %; p = 0.18) and HCAHPS discharge communication domain scores (74.8 % vs 68.7 %; p = 0.11) did not differ, nor did HCAHPS scores in medication (44.5 % vs 53.1 %; p = 0.13) and nursing domains (67.9 % vs 64.9 %; p = 0.43). When stratified by language, no significant differences were seen. Conclusion: An inpatient standalone transition-of-care intervention did not improve patient discharge experience. Older multi-lingual and cognitively impaired populations may require higher-intensity interventions post-hospitalization to improve discharge experience outcomes

Functional disability in late-middle-aged and older adults admitted to a safety-net hospital.

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of preadmission functional disability in late-middle-aged and older safety-net inpatients and to identify characteristics associated with functional disability by age.DesignCross-sectional analysis.SettingSafety-net hospital in San Francisco, California.ParticipantsEnglish-, Spanish-, and Chinese-speaking community-dwelling individuals aged 55 and older admitted to a safety-net hospital with anticipated return to the community (N = 699).MeasurementsAt hospital admission, participants reported their need for help performing five activities of daily living (ADLs) and seven instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) 2 weeks before admission. ADL disability was defined as needing help performing one or more ADLs and IADL disability as needing help performing two or more IADLs. Participant characteristics were assessed, including sociodemographic characteristics, health status, health-related behaviors, and health-seeking behaviors.ResultsOverall, 28.3% of participants reported that they had an ADL disability 2 weeks before admission, and 40.4% reported an IADL disability. The prevalence of preadmission ADL disability was 28.9% of those aged 55 to 59, 20.7% of those aged 60 to 69, and 41.2% of those aged 70 and older (P < .001). The prevalence of IADL disability had a similar distribution. The characteristics associated with functional disability differed according to age; in participants aged 55 to 59, African Americans had a higher odds of ADL and IADL disability, whereas in participants aged 60 to 69 and aged 70 and older, inadequate health literacy was associated with functional disability.ConclusionPreadmission functional disability is common in individuals aged 55 and older admitted to a safety-net hospital. Late-middle-aged individuals admitted to safety-net hospitals may benefit from models of acute care currently used for older adults that prevent adverse outcomes associated with functional disability

White spot lesions around brackets: in vitro detection by laser fluorescence

Demineralization around orthodontic brackets is one of the side-effects of orthodontic treatment. However, simple methods for its early detection, quantification and monitoring are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate red laser-light induced fluorescence for measurement of demineralization around brackets in vitro, and whether an interference by the brackets should be expected. The site of measurement was standardized on 30 extracted human molars with natural demineralization on smooth surfaces. Fluorescence was measured (Diagnodent) on prebonded, etched, bonded with stainless steel brackets, and debonded enamel. We found no statistically significant difference in fluorescence after etching. After bonding, the fluorescence decreased by a median value of 0.5 compared to the prebonded and etched enamel. After debonding, the fluorescence increased by a median value of 0.5 and 1 compared with the prebonded and bonded conditions, respectively. The lack of agreement between prebonded and bonded enamel values (limits +12.4/-12.6) was possibly due to the difficulty in finding the same spot without the bracket (coefficient of repeatability = 9.1-10.8). In vitro, demineralization around brackets can be measured by laser fluorescence, but clinical studies are necessary