Process evaluation of implementation strategies to reduce potentially inappropriate medication prescribing in older population: A scoping review

ObjectivesSeveral implementation strategies can reduce potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) prescribing. Although use of PIMs has declined in recent years, it remains prevalent. Various strategies exist to improve the appropriateness of medication use. However, little is known about the processes of these different implementation strategies. This scoping review aims to investigate how the process evaluation of implementation strategies for reducing PIM prescribing in the older population has been studied.MethodsWe searched for process evaluations of implementation strategies for reducing PIM prescribing in PUBMED, SCOPUS and Web of Science published between January 2000 and November 2019 in English. We applied the following inclusion criteria: patients aged ≥65 years, validated PIM criteria, and implementation process evaluated. The review focuses on decision support for health care professionals. We described the findings of the process evaluations, and compared the authors’ concepts of process evaluation of the included publications to those of Proctor et al.( 2010).ResultOf 9131 publications screened, 29 met our inclusion criteria. Different process evaluation conceptualizations were identified. Most process evaluations took place in the initial stages of the process (acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, and feasibility) and sustainability and implementation costs were seldom evaluated. None of the included publications evaluated fidelity.Multifaceted interventions were the most studied implementation strategies. Medication review was more common in acceptability evaluations, multidisciplinary interventions in adoption evaluations, and computerized systems and educational interventions in feasibility evaluations. Process evaluations were studied from the health care professionals’ viewpoint in most of the included publications, but the management viewpoint was missing.DiscussionThe conceptualization of process evaluation in the field of PIM prescribing is indeterminate. There is also a current gap in the knowledge of sustainability and implementation costs. Clarifying the conceptualization of implementation process evaluation is essential in order to effectively translate research knowledge into practice.     

What do we know about written assessment of health professionals’ communication skills? A scoping review

ObjectiveThe aim of this scoping review was to investigate the published literature on written assessment of communication skills in health professionals’ education.MethodsPubmed, Embase, Cinahl and Psychnfo were screened for the period 1/1995–7/2020. Selection was conducted by four pairs of reviewers. Four reviewers extracted and analyzed the data regarding study, instrument, item, and psychometric characteristics.ResultsFrom 20,456 assessed abstracts, 74 articles were included which described 70 different instruments. Two thirds of the studies used written assessment to measure training effects, the others focused on the development/validation of the instrument. Instruments were usually developed by the authors, often with little mention of the test development criteria. The type of knowledge assessed was rarely specified. Most instruments included clinical vignettes. Instrument properties and psychometric characteristics were seldom reported.ConclusionThere are a number of written assessments available in the literature. However, the reporting of the development and psychometric properties of these instruments is often incomplete. Practice implications written assessment of communication skills is widely used in health professions education. Improvement in the reporting of instrument development, items and psychometrics may help communication skills teachers better identify when, how and for whom written assessment of communication should be used.     

Insufficient knowledge and inapproriate physiotherapy management of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in lightweight rowers

ObjectiveTo investigate the knowledge and management of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), from the perspective of lightweight rowers and physiotherapists.DesignSemi-structured individual qualitative interviews.MethodsPhysiotherapists who had worked with lightweight rowers, and current and former lightweight rowers (who had experienced at least one symptom of RED-S), undertook audio-recorded semi-structured telephone interviews. An inductive thematic analysis was performed, facilitated by NVivo software.ResultsTwelve physiotherapists (n = 6 females, 1–20 years of experience managing lightweight rowers) and twelve lightweight rowers (n = 8 females, 1–8 years lightweight rowing experience, intermediate to elite/international level) were interviewed. Five key themes were identified: insufficient knowledge of RED-S, inadequate RED-S education, inappropriate management of RED-S, referral to other health professionals, prioritising performance over health. Participants provided suggestions for improving knowledge and management of RED-S in lightweight rowers, including formal physiotherapy education and training, and targeted education for athletes and coaches.ConclusionsThere was a significant lack of awareness of RED-S amongst physiotherapists and lightweight rowers. Most physiotherapists were not confident discussing or managing RED-S in athletes, and lightweight rowers were dissatisfied with the management they received. Improving RED-S education for physiotherapists and athletes may have important health implications for lightweight rowers.     

Study to assess existing knowledge of headache disorders among registered osteopaths practising in the UK: A cross-sectional survey

BackgroundHeadache disorders are highly prevalent worldwide. Many headache sufferers search for answers outside medical and pharmaceutical models. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) including osteopathy are widely used by headache patients. Indeed 9% of patients consulting osteopaths do so for headaches. There is no existing assessment of headache knowledge among practising Osteopaths in the UK.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional survey employing an anonymous online questionnaire. An original questionnaire was developed. The scope was based on established guidelines in the primary care setting. Multiple choice and closed-ended questions assessed knowledge of the diagnostic criteria, potential red flags and appropriate investigations. The answers were informed by the International Classification Headache Disorder (ICHD-3) and the British Association for the Study of Headaches (BASH) guidelines. Three case vignettes relevant to osteopathic practice were included. Participants were invited to give optional free text feedback. The questionnaire was open to be self-completed by participants for 30 days.ResultsThere were 398 responders of which 383 were included and all of whom completed the questionnaire. The study found areas where knowledge was good, areas where it was limited and areas of uncertainty. The mean knowledge score was 6.93 out of 10 (range 2.18–9.42). There was a significantly lower mean knowledge score in those who had no prior headache education of −0.716 with a difference in means (−1.075 to −0.353, 95% C.I.) compared to those with prior education. Gender and years qualified had no significant effect on mean knowledge score. Optional free text feedback was given by 81 (21.2%) of the respondents and analyzed. The main themes were acknowledgment of knowledge gaps and a desire for more headache education.ConclusionThe findings suggest there are gaps in the existing knowledge on headache among UK osteopaths and the extent of this is dependent on prior headache education. We propose that ongoing headache education among osteopaths is needed in the field.     

Enhancing adherence and management in patients with hypertension: Impact of form and frequency of knowledge intervention

BackgroundThe alarming rise in prevalence of hypertension warrants psychosocial methods supplementing pharmacotherapy for better management and prevention of cardiac emergencies. The objective of the study was to assess the differential impact of the form and frequency of knowledge intervention on management of primary hypertension.Materials and methodThe study was conducted on 256 hypertensive patients recruited through purposive sampling at health centers in Hyderabad, India. Pretest post-test control group quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study. There were two forms of the knowledge intervention, namely ‘Direct Interaction’ and ‘Audio-Visual’. Each form was presented in two frequencies namely ‘single exposure’ and ‘double exposure’. The four groups were labelled as Direct Intervention Single (DIS), Direct Intervention Double (DID), Audio-Visual Single (AVS) and Audio-Visual Double (AVD). Adherence and management of hypertension were assessed at baseline and six weeks post experiment. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was applied using IBM SPSS Statistics version 20.ResultsANCOVA followed by Bonferroni Multiple Group Comparison Test revealed significant differences between the four intervention groups and control group on adherence (p< .001). In case of hypertension management significant differences were observed between Control group and DIS, DID (p < .001), Control and AVS (p < .01). Control group did not differ from AVD.ConclusionThere was a positive impact of Knowledge Intervention on adherence and management of hypertension. Double exposure in audio visual form was counterproductive in hypertension management.     

The Effect of Prostate Cancer Educational Program on the level of Knowledge and Intention to Screen among Jordanian Men in Amman

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of prostate cancer educational program on the level of knowledge and intention to screen for prostate cancer among Jordanian men in Amman. Methods: A quasi-experimental, with nonequivalent control group design was used. 154 participants were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups.  Level of Knowledge and intention to screen were measured at baseline and at 1 month after the application of the prostate cancer educational program. Independent sample t-test was used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed statistically significant change in the mean knowledge scores (8.7), p < 0.001 and the mean of intention to screen scores (3.71), p < 0.001, after 1 month from the application of the educational program in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Implementing prostate cancer educational programs help enhance knowledge and intention to screen among Jordanian men.     

中草药种植品质知识图谱的构建

科学合理地种植中草药是解决中药资源紧缺、保障中药质量的根本方法。中草药品质受种子种苗、种植措施、土壤状况等多种因素影响，各影响因素对中草药品质产生不同的作用，但迄今为止并没有通过调控中草药种植因素分析中药材品质的模型和方法。因此，本研究通过文献调研结合专家种植经验，综合分析影响中草药种植指标的复杂因素，以提高中药材品质为目标，基于图数据库的方法构建影响不同中草药种植品质的知识图谱，探讨中草药种植因素与指标之间的关系，通过调节影响中药材品质的因素，为中草药种植以及提高中药品质提供依据。