Incidence and prevalence of falls in adults living with an intellectual disability living in the community: A systematic review

Review question/objective: The objective of this review is to synthesize the best available evidence to determine the incidence and prevalence of falls in adults with intellectual disability living in the community

The nursing history of Ngala since 1890: An early parenting organisation in Western Australia

Background: This study was the first phase of a larger study which explored the past, present and future of nursing in early parenting services in Australia. Aim: The aim of this paper is to describe the history of nursing within an early parenting service in Western Australia (WA). Methods: Triangulation of multiple data sources was used to summarise the nursing role over 120 years. The history was discovered through a document analysis of archives, including oral histories, organisational documents, focus groups, nurses’ diaries and interviews with nurses. Findings: The nursing role and context is described over three time periods: 1890–1960; 1960–1990 and 1990–2010. Nursing during the 20th century was influenced by societal and policy changes, but the essence of nursing remained the same with a focus on providing support and education to parents during pregnancy and caring for their babies and young children. Nursing within early parenting up to the 1980s was reasonably static until the move from hospital-based training to the university sector, which was the turning point of change to a new era of professionalisation and ultimately working within an interdisciplinary team. Conclusion: This description of nursing history within one early parenting service has provided insight into this specialist area of nursing

Qualitative results from a phase II pilot randomised controlled trial of a lymphoma nurse-led model of survivorship care

Purpose: To explore and describe lymphoma survivors’ thoughts and perceptions of the components of a nurse led lymphoma survivorship clinic intervention. Methods: An exploratory, qualitative descriptive study using interviews from 10 participants who had transitioned post-treatment into the survivorship phase via a nurse-led lymphoma survivorship clinic intervention. Results: Thematic analysis revealed three major themes: Reassurance and individualised care; Information and support; and Empowerment. Participants described the reassurance they gained from having contact with a health professional post-treatment who individualised information and support. A survivorship care plan and treatment summary was developed for this study and was believed to be very patient-centred and helpful. This enabled participants to take back control of their health and well-being and to rebuild confidence. Conclusions: In this study, participants expressed a need for patient-centred follow-up care that addressed their concerns and supported them in the survivorship phase to get their life back on track. Nurse-led follow-up may offer a viable model of post-treatment survivorship care to lymphoma cancer survivors

Noise effects on One-Pauli Channels

The possibility of stochastic resonance of a quantum channel and hence the noise enhanced quantum channel capacity is explored by considering one-Pauli channels which are more classical like. The fidelity of the channel is also considered

Systematic review and meta-analysis of patient reported outcomes for nurse-led models of survivorship care for adult cancer patients

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of nurse-led cancer survivorship care, compared with existing models of care, on patient reported outcomes for cancer survivors. Methods: Randomised and non-randomised controlled trials and controlled before-after studies published in English between 1 January 2007 and 28 July 2017 were identified in bibliographic databases including Medline, Pubmed and PsychINFO. Included studies described nurse-led cancer care after treatment to adults (age ≥18 years) \u3c2 years post treatment completion. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute’s tools and meta-analysis was undertaken. Results: Twenty one publications were included describing 15 tumour-specific trials involving 3278 survivors of breast (n = 5), gynecological (n = 3), head and neck (n = 2), colorectal (n = 2), upper gastrointestinal (n = 2) and prostate (n = 1) cancers. Seven trials reported quality of life (QoL) using the EORTC QLQ-C30; participants receiving nurse-led care (4–6 months) had better cognitive (4 trials, 463 participants; mean difference [MD] = 4.04 [95% CI, 0.59–7.50]; p = 0.02) and social functioning (4 trials, 463 participants; MD = 3.06 [0.14–5.97]; p = 0.04) but worse appetite loss (3 trials, 354 participants; MD = 4.43 [0.08–8.78]; p = 0.05). After intervention completion, intervention participants had reduced fatigue (4 trials, 647 participants; MD = −4.45 [−7.93 to −0.97]; p = 0.01). Conclusion: This systematic review synthesised outcomes of models of nurse-led survivorship care and contributes a meta-analysis of patient QoL to survivorship evidence. This review was limited by the risk of bias in many included studies for blinding of treatment personnel and outcome assessors. Nurse-led care appears beneficial for cancer survivors for some QoL domains

Body weight management in overweight and obese breast cancer survivors

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of different body weight management approaches in breast cancer survivors who are overweight or obese

The Prevalence of Increasing Physical Activity among Female Cancer Survivors in the United States, 2016 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)

Introduction: Cancer is one of the most common diseases in US. Physical Activity (PA) is associated with lower risk of second malignancy among cancer survivors. Improved cancer treatment led to increase in cancer survivors’ cohort, a population at high risk of a second malignancy. Engaging in PA may reduce this risk, and behavioral interventions may use cancer diagnosis as a “teaching opportunity.” Aim: We examined prevalence of the intent to increase PA among female cancer survivors to inform future policy regarding possible behavioral interventions. Methods: Data were collected by the 2016 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a cross-sectional study. Female cancer survivors, age ≥20, and diagnosed with the most prevalent malignancies among survivors (Melanoma, Breast, Colorectal, Thyroid and Uterine) were included. Results: Among various characteristics, older age (\u3e74 vs. \u3c=74, OR=0.58, 95% CI:0.35-0.96) and reduction of dietary fat/calories (Yes vs No, OR=8.31, 95% CI: 5.44-12.69) were associated with PA increase. Examining interactions among various characteristics, we found that the association between increase in PA and recommendation from the doctor was the strongest among Colorectal Cancer survivors. Discussion: Certain comorbidities, demographics, health behavior risk factors and characteristics were not associated with PA increase as found in other studies. This may be due to relatively limited sample size. However, age and reducing fat/calories in diets demonstrated correlation among those who were currently increasing PA

Protocol for Care After Lymphoma (CALy) trial: a phase II pilot randomised controlled trial of a lymphoma nurse-led model of survivorship care

Introduction: Lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer diagnosed in Australia and internationally. Owing to the aggressive nature of the disease and intensity of treatment, survivors face long-term effects that impact on quality of life. Current models of follow-up post-treatment fail to address these complex issues. Given that 74% of patients with lymphoma cancer now survive 5 years beyond diagnosis and treatment, it is important to address this gap in care. Aim: To determine self-reported informational and practical needs, anxiety, depression, stress, coping and empowerment at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Methods and analysis: A pilot randomised controlled trial will test the effect of a nurse-led lymphoma survivorship clinic compared with usual post-treatment care at a large tertiary cancer centre in Western Australia. The intervention will comprise three face-to-face appointments with delivery of tailored resources, a survivorship care plan and treatment summary (SCP TS). The SCP TS will be given to the participant and general practitioner (GP). Intervention participants will be interviewed at completion to explore the perceived value of the intervention components and preferred dose. An evaluation developed for GPs will assess receipt and use of SCP TS. The primary intent of analysis will be to address the feasibility of a larger trial and requisite effect and sample size. Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approval has been granted by the University of Notre Dame Australia and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Western Australia. Peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations will report the results of this phase II trial. Trial registration number: ANZCTRN12615000530527; Pre-results

The impact of comorbidity and clinical complexity on retention in HIV care

University of Technology Sydney. Graduate School of Health.Significant advances in the medical management of HIV have heralded a new era of treatment which acknowledges psychosocial, as well as medical, comorbidity factors. However, policy guidelines, reporting requirements and directives are yet to be revised accordingly, with metrics for successful treatment continuing to be considered in medical terms alone. The importance of medical and/or psychosocial comorbidity in impacting well-being, quality of life, and optimal holistic HIV management has arguably been under-represented in reporting outcomes. At present, biomedical markers such as viral load are used to measure treatment ‘success’. Optimal holistic care should transcend viral load alone and include other measures such as overall functioning and health-related quality of life. Retention in care is a current metric within the HIV Care and Treatment Cascade, and the only one which allows for holistic monitoring or medical review by HIV specialists; however, at present, its full potential is not realised. Consistent definitions and means to measure retention are elusive, with differences within and between regions making comparisons difficult. However, retention remains an important component of the Cascade, as it affords the opportunity for optimal monitoring and timely intervention for biopsychosocial comorbidities which may ultimately impact disease progression and quality of life. In the context of three key theoretical models (the Biopsychosocial Model, the Syndemic Model, and the Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Service Use), the present study series aims to review current definitions of retention in HIV care and understand its specific antecedents through a series of four empirical studies. A systematic literature review considers the global literature on the subject, while a local qualitative analysis of both clinician and client perspectives provides context within the Australian public health landscape. A third study describing the development of an HIV client complexity rating scale, to assess for comorbidity, is outlined. These results are then used to assess the impact on retention in an Australian cohort of people living with HIV, in the fourth and final study. Results suggest a complex interplay of individual and contextual biological, psychological and social factors which impact retention in HIV care. Further, they suggest that particular interactions, or syndemics, beyond biomedical markers alone are implicated in poor retention in HIV care. The results are discussed in the context of appropriate theoretical models to understand the factors and the nature of the relationships between them. Implications for future research, as well as policy and reporting guidelines, are discussed

Breast and prostate cancer survivor responses to group exercise and supportive group psychotherapy

This study qualitatively examined an 8 week group exercise and counseling intervention for breast and prostate cancer survivors. Groups exercised 3 days per week, 50 minutes per session, performing moderate intensity aerobic and resistance training. Groups also underwent 90 minute supportive group psychotherapy sessions once per week. Survivors discussed their experiences in focus groups post intervention. Transcripts were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Survivors described how exercise facilitated counseling by creating mutual aid and trust, and counseling helped participants with self-identity, sexuality, and returning to normalcy. When possible, counselors and fitness professionals should create partnerships to optimally support cancer survivors