How do patients receiving prescribed B12 injections for the treatment of PA perceive changes in treatment during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A UK-based survey study

Pernicious anemia (PA) is a chronic condition that is usually treated using B12 injections. Due to the pandemic, many patients were prescribed an alternative oral B12 treatment. There is limited evidence that this is effective at managing symptoms of PA. The aim of this study was to document treatment changes across the United Kingdom and the impact on patient experience. An online survey explored how the treatment of PA has been managed during the early stages of the pandemic; responses were analyzed for a subsample of participants receiving prescribed B12 injections and where changes in treatment applied (n = 329) using content analysis. The most common reported change was the suspension of injections, with oral B12 being offered as an alternative treatment. Patients were concerned about the long-term impact that changes would have on their condition management, and many stated that they were dissatisfied with the level of care received. Those who were supported by health care providers to continue their usual treatment reported experiencing improved health and well-being. This study highlights the major impact of treatment changes on patient health outcomes and the need to further support health care professionals with PA management during and beyond the pandemic

Estruturas mistas de aço-betão e de betão armado em edifícios correntes : dimensionamento e custo

Orientação: Elói João Faria Figueiredo ; co-orientação: Ana Brandão de Vasconcelos, Nuno Miguel de Freitas SilvaNuma economia onde são cada vez mais recorrentes as críticas ao setor da construção civil por atrasos e falta de produtividade, e numa sociedade cada vez mais rigorosa em todos os aspetos técnicos e estéticos, torna-se imprescindível que as empresas realizem os seus planos de trabalho em função das necessidades dos clientes. Neste trabalho foca-se sobre o estudo de um edifício de habitação corrente de betão armado, onde os elementos estruturais foram substituídos por elementos mistos aço-betão. Assim, o estudo consistiu no dimensionamento dos elementos mistos aço-betão e na análise e comparação de custos das duas soluções estruturais aço-betão e betão armado. O dimensionamento dos elementos mistos foi realizado com base em estudos académicos e normativos, apresentando-se os cálculos para o dimensionamento dos elementos estruturais, de acordo com o Eurocódigo 4, tais como lajes mistas com chapa perfilada, vigas de aço e pilares tubulares com secção retangular, onde o aço e o betão trabalham como um único elemento. Posteriormente, recorrendo ao levantamento de medições das duas soluções em questão, foi possível avaliar o custo de execução de cada solução estrutural, de forma a definir a solução mais económica. Por fim, com os resultados dos custos das duas soluções conclui-se que, a estrutura mista aço-betão apresenta menor custo comparado com a estrutura tradicional de betão armado.In an economy where criticisms of the construction sector are increasingly in competition with delays and lack of productivity, and in an ever more rigorous society in all technical and aesthetic aspects, it is imperative that companies carry out their work plans in customer’s needs. This work focuses on the study of a current residential building of reinforced concrete, where the structural elements were replaced by mixed elements steel-concrete. Thus, the study consisted in the dimensioning of the steel-concrete composite elements and the analysis and cost comparison of the two steel-concrete and reinforced concrete solutions. The sizing was carried out based on academic and normative studies, presenting the calculations for the dimensioning of the structural elements, according to Eurocode 4, such as mixed slabs with profiled sheet, steel beams and tubular pillars with rectangular section, where steel and concrete work as a single element. Later, based on the results of the design, using the measurement of the two solutions in question, it was possible to evaluate the execution cost of each constructive solution, to define the most economical solution. Finally, with the results of the costs of the two solutions, it is concluded that the mixed steel-concrete structure presents a lower cost compared to the reinforced concrete structure

What elements of a systems approach to bereavement are most effective in times of mass bereavement?:A narrative systematic review with lessons for COVID-19

Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has left health and social care systems facing the challenge of supporting large numbers of bereaved people in difficult and unprecedented social conditions. Previous reviews have not comprehensively synthesised the evidence on the response of health and social care systems to mass bereavement events. Aim: To synthesise the evidence regarding system-level responses to mass bereavement events, including natural and human-made disasters as well as pandemics, to inform service provision and policy during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Design: A rapid systematic review was conducted, with narrative synthesis. The review protocol was registered prospectively (www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, CRD 42020180723). Data sources: MEDLINE, Global Health, PsycINFO and Scopus databases were searched for studies published between 2000 and 2020. Reference lists were screened for further relevant publications, and citation tracking was performed. Results: Six studies were included reporting on system responses to mass bereavement following human-made and natural disasters, involving a range of individual and group-based support initiatives. Positive impacts were reported, but study quality was generally low and reliant on data from retrospective evaluation designs. Key features of service delivery were identified: a proactive outreach approach, centrally organised but locally delivered interventions, event-specific professional competencies and an emphasis on psycho-educational content. Conclusion: Despite the limitations in the quantity and quality of the evidence base, consistent messages are identified for bereavement support provision during the pandemic. High quality primary studies are needed to ensure service improvement in the current crisis and to guide future disaster response efforts

Participants' experiences of the management of screen-detected complex polyps within a structured bowel cancer screening programme

Background The Bowel Screening Wales complex polyp removal service was introduced to address variations in surgery rates for screen-detected complex benign colorectal polyps, to improve the quality of the screening service and to make management of these polyps more equitable across Wales. Little is known about patient experiences and the potential impact on quality of life when undergoing complex polyp removal. This study is part of a wider research programme evaluating the decision-making, pathways and outcomes from complex polyp removal. Objective This study aimed to understand experiences of having a complex polyp removed and how this may influence quality of life. Design Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted, and a thematic approach was used for data analysis. Setting and Participants All participants had a complex polyp removed after a positive stool test and review by Bowel Screening Wales' Network Multi-Disciplinary Team. Results Twenty-one participants were interviewed. Most participants had their complex polyps removed endoscopically and reported no or minor problems or negative outcomes following their procedure. For a small minority, worse problems (e.g., pain, bowel dysfunction) and negative outcomes (e.g., cancer) followed their procedures. Most participants felt supported and reassured throughout their procedures. Any physical and emotional changes to quality of life were mainly linked to procedure outcomes. Discussion Experiences of complex polyp removal were generally positive, with minimal changes in quality of life. Conclusions While most people had a positive experience of having a complex polyp removed, support initiatives, such as counselling or signposting to coping strategies, may be helpful to reduce any potential negative effects of procedures on quality of life

Planning management for complex colorectal polyps: a qualitative assessment of factors influencing decision-making among colonoscopists

Objective: Endoscopic therapy is the recommended primary treatment for most complex colorectal polyps, but high colonic resection rates are reported. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand and compare between specialities, the clinical and non-clinical factors influencing decision making when planning management. Design: Semi-structured interviews were performed among colonoscopists across the UK. Interviews were conducted virtually and transcribed verbatim. Complex polyps were defined as lesions requiring further management planning rather than those treatable at the time of endoscopy. A thematic analysis was performed. Findings were coded to identify themes and reported narratively. Results: Twenty colonoscopists were interviewed. Four major themes were identified including gathering information regarding the patient and their polyp, aids to decision making, barriers in achieving optimal management and improving services. Participants advocated endoscopic management where possible. Factors such as younger age, suspicion of malignancy, right colon or difficult polyp location lead towards surgical intervention and were similar between surgical and medical specialties. Availability of expertise, timely endoscopy and challenges in referral pathways were reported barriers to optimal management. Experiences of team decision-making strategies were positive and advocated in improving complex polyp management. Recommendations based on these findings to improve complex polyp management are provided. Conclusion: The increasing recognition of complex colorectal polyps requires consistency in decision making and access to a full range of treatment options. Colonoscopists advocated the availability of clinical expertise, timely treatment and education in avoiding surgical intervention and providing good patient outcomes. Team decision-making strategies for complex polyps may provide an opportunity to coordinate and improve these issues

The impacts and effectiveness of support for people bereaved through advanced illness: a systematic review and thematic synthesis

Background: Bereavement support is a key component of palliative care, with different types of support recommended according to need. Previous reviews have typically focused on specialised interventions and have not considered more generic forms of support, drawing on different research methodologies. Aim: To review the quantitative and qualitative evidence on the effectiveness and impact of interventions and services providing support for adults bereaved through advanced illness. Design: A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted, with narrative synthesis of quantitative results and thematic synthesis of qualitative results. The review protocol is published in PROSPERO (www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, CRD42016043530). Data sources: The databases MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Social Policy and Practice were searched from 1990 to March 2019. Studies were included which reported evaluation results of bereavement interventions, following screening by two independent researchers. Study quality was assessed using GATE checklists. Results: A total of 31 studies were included, reporting on bereavement support groups, psychological and counselling interventions and a mix of other forms of support. Improvements in study outcomes were commonly reported, but the quality of the quantitative evidence was generally poor or mixed. Three main impacts were identified in the qualitative evidence, which also varied in quality: ‘loss and grief resolution’, ‘sense of mastery and moving ahead’ and ‘social support’. Conclusion: Conclusions on effectiveness are limited by small sample sizes and heterogeneity in study populations, models of care and outcomes. The qualitative evidence suggests several cross-cutting benefits and helps explain the impact mechanisms and contextual factors that are integral to the support

Development and user-testing of a brief decision aid for aspirin as a preventive approach alongside colorectal cancer screening.

Background Several epidemiological and cohort studies suggest that regular low-dose aspirin use independently reduces the long-term incidence and risk of colorectal cancer deaths by approximately 20%. However, there are also risks to aspirin use, mainly gastrointestinal bleeding and haemorrhagic stroke. Making informed decisions depends on the ability to understand and weigh up benefits and risks of available options. A decision aid to support people to consider aspirin therapy alongside participation in the NHS bowel cancer screening programme may have an additional impact on colorectal cancer prevention. This study aims to develop and user-test a brief decision aid about aspirin to enable informed decision-making for colorectal screening-eligible members of the public. Methods We undertook a qualitative study to develop an aspirin decision aid leaflet to support bowel screening responders in deciding whether to take aspirin to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer. The iterative development process involved two focus groups with public members aged 60–74 years (n = 14) and interviews with clinicians (n = 10). Interviews (n = 11) were used to evaluate its utility for decision-making. Analysis was conducted using a framework approach. Results Overall, participants found the decision aid acceptable and useful to facilitate decision-making. They expressed a need for individualised risk information, more detail about the potential risks of aspirin, and preferred risk information presented in pictograms when offered different options. Implementation pathways were discussed, including the possibility of involving different clinicians in the process such as GPs and/or community pharmacists. A range of potentially effective timepoints for sending out the decision aid were identified. Conclusion An acceptable and usable decision aid was developed to support decisions about aspirin use to prevent colorectal cancer

Planning management for complex colorectal polyps: a qualitative assessment of factors influencing decision-making among colonoscopists

Objective Endoscopic therapy is the recommended primary treatment for most complex colorectal polyps, but high colonic resection rates are reported. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand and compare between specialities, the clinical and non-clinical factors influencing decision making when planning management.Design Semi-structured interviews were performed among colonoscopists across the UK. Interviews were conducted virtually and transcribed verbatim. Complex polyps were defined as lesions requiring further management planning rather than those treatable at the time of endoscopy. A thematic analysis was performed. Findings were coded to identify themes and reported narratively.Results Twenty colonoscopists were interviewed. Four major themes were identified including gathering information regarding the patient and their polyp, aids to decision making, barriers in achieving optimal management and improving services. Participants advocated endoscopic management where possible. Factors such as younger age, suspicion of malignancy, right colon or difficult polyp location lead towards surgical intervention and were similar between surgical and medical specialties. Availability of expertise, timely endoscopy and challenges in referral pathways were reported barriers to optimal management. Experiences of team decision-making strategies were positive and advocated in improving complex polyp management. Recommendations based on these findings to improve complex polyp management are provided.Conclusion The increasing recognition of complex colorectal polyps requires consistency in decision making and access to a full range of treatment options. Colonoscopists advocated the availability of clinical expertise, timely treatment and education in avoiding surgical intervention and providing good patient outcomes. Team decision-making strategies for complex polyps may provide an opportunity to coordinate and improve these issues