Health impact of the first and second wave of COVID-19 and related restrictive measures among nursing home residents:A scoping review

Abstract Background and objectives COVID-19 disproportionally affects older adults living in nursing homes. The purpose of this review was to explore and map the scientific literature on the health impact of COVID-19 and related restrictive measures during the first and second wave among nursing home residents. A specific focus was placed on health data collected among nursing home residents themselves. Research design and methods In this study, best practices for scoping reviews were followed. Five databases were systematically searched for peer-reviewed empirical studies published up until December 2020 in which data were collected among nursing home residents. Articles were categorized according to the type of health impact (physical, social and/or psychological) and study focus (impact of COVID-19 virus or related restrictive measures). Findings were presented using a narrative style. Results Of 60 included studies, 57 examined the physical impact of COVID-19. All of these focused on the direct impact of the COVID-19 virus. These studies often used an observational design and quantitative data collection methods, such as swab testing or reviewing health records. Only three studies examined the psychological impact of COVID-19 of which one study focused on the impact of COVID-19-related restrictive measures. Findings were contradictory; both decreased and improved psychological wellbeing was found during the pandemic compared with before. No studies were found that examined the impact on social wellbeing and one study examined other health-related outcomes, including preference changes of nursing home residents in Advanced Care planning following the pandemic. Discussion and implications Studies into the impact of the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among nursing home residents predominantly focused on the physical impact. Future studies into the psychological and social impact that collect data among residents themselves will provide more insight into their perspectives, such as lived experiences, wishes, needs and possibilities during later phases of the pandemic. These insights can inform policy makers and healthcare professionals in providing person-centered care during the remaining COVID-19 pandemic and in future crisis periods

The transcriptional landscape of age in human peripheral blood

Disease incidences increase with age, but the molecular characteristics of ageing that lead to increased disease susceptibility remain inadequately understood. Here we perform a whole-blood gene expression meta-analysis in 14,983 individuals of European ancestry (including replication) and identify 1,497 genes that are differentially expressed with chronological age. The age-associated genes do not harbor more age-associated CpG-methylation sites than other genes, but are instead enriched for the presence of potentially functional CpG-methylation sites in enhancer and insulator regions that associate with both chronological age and gene expression levels. We further used the gene expression profiles to calculate the 'transcriptomic age' of an individual, and show that differences between transcriptomic age and chronological age are associated with biological features linked to ageing, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, fasting glucose, and body mass index. The transcriptomic prediction model adds biological relevance and complements existing epigenetic prediction models, and can be used by others to calculate transcriptomic age in external cohorts.Peer reviewe

Lessons learned from co-designing educational programs for student and practicing healthcare professionals in nursing homes: A participatory qualitative study

Our aim was to examine the co-design process of two educational programs based on scientific research, to investigate which factors influenced the co-design processes and which lessons we learned. Participatory qualitative research on multiple cases was conducted with representatives of the university, healthcare education (university of applied science), secondary vocational education and training and nursing home care practice. Data were analyzed using a critical creative hermeneutic analysis. Three themes influenced the co-design processes: (1) facilitation of the processes, (2) team members’ attributes and (3) diverse interests and structures. Participants’ diversity slowed down and deepened the collaboration. The positive climate and personal attributes enabled the processes. The complexity of the co-design processes, conflicting interests and making use of the full potential of the diversity were challenging aspects. These challenges can be overcome by organizing and facilitating co-design processes skillfully

Exploring how residential care facilities can enhance the autonomy of people with dementia and improve informal care

Background and objectives: Residential care facilities (RCFs) strive to enhance autonomy for people with dementia and to enhance informal care provision, although this is difficult. This study explored how RCF staff can enhance autonomy and improve informal care by looking at the influence of interactions (contact and approachability between residents, staff members and informal caregivers) and the physical environment, including the use of technologies. Research design and methods: A realist evaluation multiple-case study was conducted using document analyses, eight semi-structured interviews with staff members and relatives and 56 hours of observations of residents across two RCFs aiming to provide person-centred care. Realist logic of analysis was performed, involving Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations. Findings: The behaviour, attitudes and interactions of staff members with residents and informal caregivers appeared to contribute to the autonomy of people with dementia and enhance informal care provision. The physical environment of the RCFs and the use of technologies were less relevant to enhancing autonomy and informal care provision, although they can support staff members in providing person-centred care in daily practice. Discussion and implications: The findings add to those of other studies regarding the importance of interaction between residents, staff members and informal caregivers. The findings provide insight for other RCFs on how successfully to enhance autonomy for their residents and to improve informal care provision, as well as, more broadly, how to implement person-centred care

Exploring how residential care facilities can enhance the autonomy of people with dementia and improve informal care

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Residential care facilities (RCFs) strive to enhance autonomy for people with dementia and to enhance informal care provision, although this is difficult. This study explored how RCF staff can enhance autonomy and improve informal care by looking at the influence of interactions (contact and approachability between residents, staff members and informal caregivers) and the physical environment, including the use of technologies. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A realist evaluation multiple-case study was conducted using document analyses, eight semi-structured interviews with staff members and relatives and 56 hours of observations of residents across two RCFs aiming to provide person-centred care. Realist logic of analysis was performed, involving Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations. FINDINGS: The behaviour, attitudes and interactions of staff members with residents and informal caregivers appeared to contribute to the autonomy of people with dementia and enhance informal care provision. The physical environment of the RCFs and the use of technologies were less relevant to enhancing autonomy and informal care provision, although they can support staff members in providing person-centred care in daily practice. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The findings add to those of other studies regarding the importance of interaction between residents, staff members and informal caregivers. The findings provide insight for other RCFs on how successfully to enhance autonomy for their residents and to improve informal care provision, as well as, more broadly, how to implement person-centred care

Factors associated with the identification of child mental health problems in primary care—a systematic review

Background: Although common and often with long-lasting effects, child mental health problems (MHPs) are still under-recognized and under-treated. A better understanding of the factors associated with the identification of MHPs in primary care may improve the recognition of MHPs. Objectives: To review studies on factors associated with the identification of child MHPs in primary care. Methods: Six leading databases were systematically searched until 1 October 2018. Two independent researchers selected articles and extracted data on study characteristics and factors associated with MHP identification. Inclusion criteria were the investigation of factors associated with MHP identification by primary care professionals (PCPs) in children aged 0–18 years. Results: Of the 6215 articles identified, 26 were included. Prevalence rates of PCP-identified MHPs varied between 7 and 30%. PCPs identified 26–60% of children with an increased risk of MHPs as indicated by MHP assessment tools, but associated factors were investigated in relatively few studies. MHPs were more often identified in children with a family composition other than married parents, with worse mental health symptoms, prior MHPs, among boys in elementary school, when contact with PCPs was related to parental psychosocial concerns or routine health check-ups, when PCPs were recently trained in MHPs or when PCPs felt less burdened treating MHPs. Conclusion: MHP identification varied substantially between studies and PCPs and was related to several child, family and practice factors. Future studies should systematically investigate factors associated with MHP identification by PCPs and specifically in children with an increased risk of MHPs according to mental health assessment tools

Development of a framework with tools to support the selection and implementation of patient-reported outcome measures

Contains fulltext : 215600.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Patient reported outcomes (PROs) provide information on a patient's health status coming directly from the patient. Measuring PROs with patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) has gained wide interest in clinical practice for individual patient care, as well as in quality improvement, and for providing transparency of outcomes to stakeholders through public reporting. However, current knowledge of selecting and implementing PROMs for these purposes is scattered, and not readily available for clinicians and quality managers in healthcare organizations. The objective of this study is to develop a framework with tools to support the systematic selection, implementation and evaluation of PROs and PROMs in individual patient care, for quality improvement and public reporting. METHODS: We developed the framework in a national project in the Netherlands following a user-centered design. The development process of the framework contained five iterative components: (a) identification of existing tools, (b) identification of user requirements and designing steps for selection and implementation of PROs and PROMs, (c) discussing a prototype of the framework during a national workshop, (d) developing a web version, (e) pre-testing of the framework. A total of 40 users with different perspectives (clinicians, patient representatives, quality managers, purchasers, researchers) have been consulted. RESULTS: The final framework is presented as the PROM-cycle that consists of eight steps in four phases: (1) goal setting, (2) selecting PROs and PROMs, (3) developing and testing of quality indicator(s), (4) implementing and evaluating the PROM(s) and indicator(s). Users emphasized that the first step is the key element in which the why, for whom and setting of the PROM has to be defined. This information is decisive for the following steps. For each step the PROM-cycle provides guidance and tools, with instruments, checklists, methods, handbooks, and standards supporting the process. CONCLUSION: We developed a framework to support the selection and implementation of PROs and PROMs. Each step provides guidance and tools to support the process. The PROM-cycle and its tools are publicly available and can be used by clinicians, quality managers, patient representatives and other experts involved in using PROMS. Through periodic evaluation and updates, tools will be added for national and international use of the PROM-cycle