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.     

Bridging the gap between attitudes and action: A qualitative exploration of clinician and exercise professional’s perceptions to increase opportunities for exercise counselling and referral in cancer care

ObjectiveThis study aimed to 1) understand factors impacting the implementation of exercise communication and referral, and 2) explore integrated clinical approaches to exercise communication and referral in cancer care.MethodsSeven focus groups (N = 53) were conducted with clinicians and exercise professionals throughout Sydney, Australia. A sub-sample of participants (n = 9) attended a half-day workshop to identifying best practice approaches for moving forward. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.ResultsTwo themes emerged: 1) Factors impacting the knowledge-to-action gap, inclusive of limited exercise specific knowledge and training opportunities, funding structure, and current referral process, and 2) Recommendations for a consistent and efficient way forward, detailing the need for oncologist-initiated communication, distribution of cancer-exercise resources, and access to exercise professionals with cancer expertise.ConclusionsThis study identified factors (e.g., cancer-exercise specific training, integration of exercise physiologists) influencing exercise counselling and referral. A potential implementation-referral approach accounting for these factors and how to incorporate exercise into a standard model of cancer care, is described. Future testing is required to determine feasibility and practicality of these approaches.Practical ImplicationsA pragmatic model is provided to guide implementation-referral, inclusive of oncologist-initiated communication exchange, relevant resources, and access to exercise professionals with cancer expertise.     

How injury prevention programs are being structured and implemented worldwide: An international survey of sports physical therapists

ObjectiveTo identify the role of sports physical therapists (PT) in the injury prevention process and to compare the structure of preventive programs and associated (organization) policies applied in athletic organizations and sports teams of varying gender and level world-wide.Design: cross-sectional study.SettingLimeSurvey platform.ParticipantsSports PT working with athletes invited through the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy.Main outcome measuresSports injury prevention program (IPP) structure and implementation.Results414 participants fully participate in this survey study. Athlete's injury history (68.84%), the most common injuries within the sport modality (67.87%) and athlete's preseason screening results (64.01%) were most frequently used to customize IPPs. Warm-up (70.04%) and individually PT-guided exercise-therapy (70.04%) were the preferred methods to organize the prevention routine. The main barrier for IPP implementation was lack of time within the athlete's weekly training schedule (66.66%). The majority of the participants (72.84%) reported to evaluate the perception of IPP's effect by comparing current and preceding seasons' injury occurrences.ConclusionThese survey results are the first identifying contemporary sports injury prevention organization and implementation policies on an international level. This information might support the sports PT community in improving and standardizing IPP (implementation) strategies worldwide.     

西地兰联合胺碘酮治疗急诊重症心衰合并快速性心律失常患者的临床效果分析

目的探析西地兰联合胺碘酮治疗急诊重症心衰合并快速性心律失常患者的临床效果。方法60例急诊重症心衰合并快速性心律失常患者,以电脑Excel表格按照1∶1比例分为对比组和研究组,每组30例,对比组患者采用西地兰治疗,研究组患者采用西地兰联合胺碘酮治疗。比较两组患者治疗前后QT离散度、心功能指标及治疗后临床指标。结果治疗后,两组患者QT离散度均较本组治疗前降低,且研究组患者QT离散度(32.69±2.69)ms低于对比组的(41.32±3.11)ms,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,研究组患者心室率(78.51±5.17)次/min低于对比组的(94.23±6.67)次/min,起效时间(18.23±2.11)min短于对比组的(32.11±3.51)min,窦性心律转复率93.33%(28/30)高于对比组的70.00%(21/30),差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组患者左室舒张末期内径、室间隔厚度、左室后壁厚度、左室重量指数、左室射血分数、舒张早期最大流速/舒张晚期最大流速(E/A)、N末端B型脑钠肽前体(NT-proBNP)水平均较本组治疗前改善,且研究组优于对比组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论在急诊重症心衰合并快速性心律失常患者治疗中选择西地兰联合胺碘酮用药方案,能够更好降低QT离散度,提高窦性心律转复率,且心室率更低、起效时间更短,同时,在改善心功能方面效果较显著。     

Abscopal effect in radioimmunotherapy

Abscopal effect is an interesting phenomenon in radiobiology that causes activation of immune system against cancer cells. Traditionally, this phenomenon was known as a suppressor of non-irradiated tumors or metastasis. However, it can be used as a stimulator of the immune system against primary tumor during radiotherapy. Immunotherapy, a novel tumor therapy modality, also triggers immune system against cancer. To date, some immunotherapy types have been developed. However, immune checkpoint blockade is a more common modality and some drugs have been approved by the FDA. Studies have shown that radiotherapy or immunotherapy administered alone have low efficiency for tumor control. However, their combination has a more potent anti-tumor immunity. For this aim, it is important to induce abscopal effect in primary tumors, and also use appropriate drugs to target the mechanisms involved in the exhaustion of cytotoxic CD8+T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells. Among the different radiotherapy techniques, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with some few fractionations is the best choice for inducing abscopal effect. On the other hand, programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) is known as one of the best targets for triggering anti-tumor immunity. This combination is known as the best choice among various strategies for radioimmunotherapy. However, there is the need for other strategies to improve the duration of immune system’s activity within tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we explain the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind abscopal effect by radiotherapy and evaluate the molecular targets which induce potent anti-tumor immunity.     

Factors Associated with Universal Free School Meal Provision Adoption among US Public Schools

BackgroundThe Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) allows high-poverty schools participating in US Department of Agriculture meal programs to offer universal free school meals. Emerging evidence suggests benefits of CEP for student meal participation, behavior, and academic performance. Although CEP became available nationwide in 2014, in school year 2019–2020, one third of eligible schools were not participating.ObjectiveThis study evaluates which school, district, and state factors are associated with CEP participation.DesignCross-sectional study comparing CEP-participating with eligible nonparticipating schools to assess the relationship between CEP participation and school, district, and state factors.ParticipantsUS public schools eligible for CEP in school year 2017–2018 (n = 42,813).Main Outcome MeasuresCEP participation.Statistical Analyses PerformedPenalized regression variable selection methods to determine which factors contribute information to the model. Generalized logistic regression to predict odds of CEP participation unadjusted and adjusted for each factor in the full sample and in stratified analyses by whether a state was part of the CEP phase-in period (early vs late implementing states).ResultsIn the full sample, adjusted odds of CEP participation were greater in states where CEP had been available longer (odds ratio [OR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34, 1.67). In late implementing states, adjusted odds of CEP participation were higher in schools with more students directly certified for free meals (OR in schools with 80%–89% vs 30%–39% directly certified: 19.32; 95% CI, 12.98, 28.76), Title I schools (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.55, 2.21), and urban schools (OR suburban vs urban, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.36, 0.59). Differences by school level, enrollment, district size, student race/ethnicity, and geographic region also existed.ConclusionsFindings may help advocates, state agencies, and policymakers understand potential barriers to adoption and guide research exploring effective strategies to promote uptake. Future research should use qualitative and longitudinal designs to explore barriers to adoption, including cost and state and local policies.