Loss and Damage: The $100 billion promise ‘the leaders’ failed to keep

100 billion dollars, the amount developed nations were supposed to pay less developed nations by 2020, the promise they failed to keep. The promise that was revisited at COP26 in Glasgow. The climate finance fund is funds from more developed nations to less developed nations to help with transitioning to a green economy so there is no need for reliance on fossil fuels. This fund consists of both loans and grants

Cognitive and emotional determinants of influenza vaccination : testing the effects of an anticipated regret manipulation

Background: Vaccine hesitancy refers to the reluctance or refusal to be vaccinated, despite the availability of vaccines. It is recognised by the WHO as one of the top ten threats to global health. Cognitive factors (e.g., confidence and complacency) can help us to understand the psychological antecedents of vaccine hesitancy. In addition, anticipatory emotions may also be important determinants of vaccination behaviour. In this study, we (i) examined the association between vaccination beliefs, anticipated regret, and intention to receive the seasonal-influenza vaccination, and (ii) tested the effect of a simple anticipated regret manipulation on seasonal-influenza vaccination intention. Methods: 300 members of the U.K. general public (mean age = 38.6 years) were allocated to a simple anticipated regret condition versus a questionnaire only condition. All participants completed self-report measures of vaccination beliefs using the 5C scale, which measures confidence, complacency, collective responsibility, calculation, and constraints (Betsch et al., 2018). Participants also provided a measure of their intention to receive the seasonal-influenza vaccination. The anticipated regret condition also provided measures of anticipatory emotions (i.e. anticipated regret if one were unvaccinated and later developed influenza). Results: Correlation analysis showed that confidence (r= .36, p<.001), complacency (r=-.32, p<.001), constraints (r=-.24, p<.001), collective responsibility (r=.39, p<.001), and anticipated regret (r=.76, p<.001) were all significantly associated with intention to receive the annual influenza vaccination. Two-way ANOVA showed that there was no difference in vaccination intention scores between the anticipated regret and questionnaire only conditions, F(1, 296) = .028, p =.867), but that those who were members of an at-risk group had higher intention scores, F(1, 296) = 98.03, p < .001). Conclusions and implications: Our findings show that both vaccination beliefs and anticipatory emotions are associated with seasonal-influenza vaccination intention, but that a simple anticipated regret manipulation was not effective in increasing intention to receive the seasonal-influenza vaccination

Dataset for "Pharmacy professionals' experiences and perceptions of providing NHS patient medicines helpline services: A qualitative study"

Transcripts of interviews with thirty-four pharmacy professionals about their experiences and perceptions of providing a National Health Service patient medicines helpline service.An interview schedule was developed for the purpose of interviewing participants regarding their experiences and perceptions of their PMHS, and was informed by the RE-AIM evaluation framework. RE-AIM comprises five dimensions that are considered important for evaluating the impact of healthcare interventions: Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance. We ensured that questions pertaining to each of the five RE-AIM dimensions were included in the schedule. During data collection, the interview schedule served as a flexible guide for interviews, enabling participants to discuss aspects of their PMHS that were important to them. All interviews were audio-recorded. After their interview, the following background data were collected from each participant over the telephone: age, gender, ethnicity, job title, number of years employed as a pharmacy professional, and number of years’ experience of operating or providing a PMHS. All audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim into separate Microsoft Word documents. Framework analysis (FA) was used to analyse the transcribed data. Analysis involved the standard FA stages, as outlined by Ritchie and Spencer (the developers of FA): familiarisation with the data, coding, developing an analytical framework, indexing, charting, and interpretation. The only deviation to the FA stages was that Iterative Categorisation (IC) was used in place of charting. The choice to use IC was made in order to increase transparency and rigour.Data were analysed using NVivo version 12

Service users’ experiences of contacting NHS patient medicines helpline services: a qualitative study

Objectives Patient medicines helpline services (PMHS) are available from some National Health Service (NHS) Trusts in the UK to provide medicines information to hospital patients and carers. To date, studies of PMHS have examined the views of service users via satisfaction surveys. This study used qualitative methods to explore service users' experiences of using a PMHS, including perceived benefits and areas for improvement. Design Qualitative, using semi-structured interviews. Setting This study was conducted across seven NHS Trusts in England. Participants Forty users of PMHS were individually interviewed over the telephone. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Braun and Clarke's inductive reflexive thematic analysis. Ethical approval was obtained before study commencement. Results Participants predominantly called a PMHS for themselves (82%; carers: 18%). Two main themes were generated. Theme 1: timeliness - PMHS provide support during the uncertain transition of care period from hospital to home, when patients and carers often feel vulnerable because support is less available. PMHS met service users' needs for timely and easily accessible support, and quick resolution of their issues. PMHS could be improved with staffing beyond typical work week hours, and by having staff available to answer calls instead of using an answerphone. Theme 2: PMHS are best-placed to help - PMHS were perceived as best-placed to answer enquiries that arose from hospital care. Service users felt reassured from speaking to pharmacy professionals, and PMHS were perceived as the optimal service in terms of knowledge and expertise regarding medicines-related questions. However, several participants were initially unaware that their PMHS existed. Conclusions PMHS are perceived to be a valuable means of accessing timely medicines-related support when patients and carers may be feeling particularly vulnerable. However, their availability and promotion could be improved. We recommend that providers of PMHS consider whether this is achievable, in order to better meet the needs of service users.</p

A systematic review examining the effectiveness of medicines information services for patients and the general public

Objectives: Hospital-based patient medicines helpline services (PMHS) and medicines information services for the general public (MISGP) are available in many countries to support people with their medicines. Our aim was to examine the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of PMHS and MISGP. Methods: Searches were conducted using Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science, on 11 August 2018. Forward and backward citation searches were conducted, grey literature was searched, and study quality/risk of bias was assessed. Findings were synthesised in a narrative synthesis. Where appropriate, weighted means were calculated. Key findings: Thirty-two studies were identified for inclusion (17 published articles, 15 conference abstracts). Eighteen studies were conducted within the United Kingdom. Mean quality assessment was moderate (51%), and risk of bias was high (63%). PMHS and MISGP are both typically perceived as positive (e.g. 94% and 91% of participants were satisfied with using a PMHS and MISGP, respectively). For PMHS, the advice received is reported to be usually followed (94%, and 66% for MISGP). For both services, users report several positive outcomes (e.g. problems resolved/avoided, feeling reassured and improved health). PMHS may also be effective for correcting medicines-related errors (up to 39% of calls may concern such errors) and for potentially avoiding medicines-related harm (48% of enquiries concerned situations that were judged to have the potential to harm patients). Conclusions: Findings suggest that both PMHS and MISGP may be beneficial sources of medicines-related support. However, the moderate quality and high risk of bias of studies highlight that more high-quality research is needed.</p

Dataset for "Service users' experiences of NHS patient medicines helpline services: A qualitative study"

The study used semi-structured interviews to explore service users' experiences of using National Health Service (NHS) patient medicines helpline services (PMHS). This dataset comprises data from 40 participants. The study protocol is included in the dataset to provide additional context.The study used semi-structured interviews to explore service users' experiences of using National Health Service (NHS) patient medicines helpline services (PMHS). This dataset comprises data from 40 participants. Recruitment was conducted via seven NHS Trusts from different regions within England, which acted as participant identification sites. Data were collected via telephone. Prior to their interview, the following background information was collected from participants: Name of NHS Trust contacted, date of PMHS contact, whether they had previously used a PMHS. Patients were also asked whether they were an inpatient or outpatient for their recent period of care, and the number of prescribed medicines they were prescribed at the time of the PMHS contact. Carers were also asked their relationship to the patient who the PMHS contact was regarding. Separate interview schedules to explore participants experiences of using a PMHS were developed for patients and carers. The two schedules were broadly similar, although, for ethical reasons, the carer version did not contain questions that would have resulted in them providing personal information about the patient individual that they care for. The aim of the interview with carers was thus to explore whether the PMHS met their needs as a carer seeking information. Following their interview, the following background data were collected from each participant: Age, gender, ethnicity, and current occupational status. All audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim into separate Microsoft Word documents. Braun and Clarke’s inductive reflexive thematic analysis (TA) was used to analyse this data. Analysis involved the following stages, as outlined by Braun and Clarke: familiarisation with the data, generating initial codes, developing themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and writing the analysis. All individual interview transcripts were uploaded into NVivo version 12. NVivo was used for generating initial codes and developing and reviewing themes. The only deviation to the TA stages was that Iterative Categorisation (IC) was used in place of the defining themes stage, for increased transparency and rigour. For further details, see the study protocol included within the dataset.All individual interview transcripts were uploaded into NVivo version 12

A systematic review examining the effectiveness of medicines information services for patients and the general public

Objectives: Hospital-based patient medicines helpline services (PMHS) and medicines information services for the general public (MISGP) are available in many countries to support people with their medicines. Our aim was to examine the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of PMHS and MISGP. Methods: Searches were conducted using Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science, on 11 August 2018. Forward and backward citation searches were conducted, grey literature was searched, and study quality/risk of bias was assessed. Findings were synthesised in a narrative synthesis. Where appropriate, weighted means were calculated. Key findings: Thirty-two studies were identified for inclusion (17 published articles, 15 conference abstracts). Eighteen studies were conducted within the United Kingdom. Mean quality assessment was moderate (51%), and risk of bias was high (63%). PMHS and MISGP are both typically perceived as positive (e.g. 94% and 91% of participants were satisfied with using a PMHS and MISGP, respectively). For PMHS, the advice received is reported to be usually followed (94%, and 66% for MISGP). For both services, users report several positive outcomes (e.g. problems resolved/avoided, feeling reassured and improved health). PMHS may also be effective for correcting medicines-related errors (up to 39% of calls may concern such errors) and for potentially avoiding medicines-related harm (48% of enquiries concerned situations that were judged to have the potential to harm patients). Conclusions: Findings suggest that both PMHS and MISGP may be beneficial sources of medicines-related support. However, the moderate quality and high risk of bias of studies highlight that more high-quality research is needed.</p

Low level Atrazine exposure effects on crayfish development

Undergraduate Applie

A systematic review examining the characteristics of users of NHS patient medicines helpline services, and the types of enquiries they make

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patient medicines helpline services (PMHS) are available from some National Health Service Trusts in the UK to support patients following their discharge from hospital. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the available evidence regarding the characteristics of enquirers and enquiries to PMHS, in order to develop recommendations for service improvement. METHODS: Searches were conducted using Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus, and Web of Science, on 4 June 2019. Forward and backward citation searches were conducted, and grey literature was searched. Studies were included if they reported any characteristics of enquirers who use PMHS, and/or enquiries received. Study quality was assessed using the Axis tool. A narrative synthesis was conducted, and where appropriate, weighted means (WMs) were calculated. Where possible, outcomes were compared with Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data for England, to establish whether the profile of helpline users may differ to that of hospital patients. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were included (~4362 enquiries). Risk of bias from assessed studies was 71%. Enquirers were predominantly female (WM=53%; HES mean=57%), elderly (WM=69 years; HES mean=53 years) and enquired regarding themselves (WM=72%). Out of inpatient and outpatient enquirers, 50% were inpatients and 50% were outpatients (WM). Six of 15 studies reported adverse effects as the main enquiry reason. Two of four studies reported antimicrobial drugs as the main enquiry drug class. From two studies, the main clinical origin of enquiries were general surgery and cardiology. Across six studies, 27% (WM) of enquiries concerned medicines-related errors. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that PMHS are often used by elderly patients, which is important since this group may be particularly vulnerable to experiencing medicines-related issues following hospital discharge. Over a quarter of enquiries to PMHS may concern medicines-related errors, suggesting that addressing such errors is an important function of this service. However, our study findings may be limited by a high risk of bias within included studies. Further research could provide a more detailed profile of helpline users (eg, ethnicity, average number of medicines consumed), and we encourage helpline providers to use their enquiry data to conduct local projects to improve hospital services (eg, reducing errors). PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018116276