Citizen science in the community: Gaining insight in community and participant health in four deprived neighbourhoods in the Netherlands

The aim of this study was to examine if citizen science contributes to gaining insight into community health and to the health of the citizen scientists themselves. Therefore, thirteen citizens in four deprived neighbourhoods were trained as citizen scientists to conduct research in their own communities. Results showed that the citizen scientists identified forty (health related) themes in their communities. The citizen scientists reported an increase in their overall self-perceived health which, however, was not significantly demonstrated in the prequestionnaire and postquestionnaire.     

A Lifestyle Intervention Program to Improve Knowledge and Health Behaviors in Women

ObjectiveTo improve health knowledge, facilitate healthy behaviors, and provide social support for a high-risk population of women by implementing a culturally tailored, gender-specific lifestyle intervention program.DesignEvidence-based practice project.Setting/Local ProblemA Chicago neighborhood in Cook County, Illinois, where there are increased rates of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, hypertension, obesity, preterm birth, and violent crime.ParticipantsFemale residents of the community, ages 19 to 45 years; 12 participants registered for the program, and 11 participants completed the entire 2-month program.Interventions/MeasurementsThe BE WISE Lifestyle Intervention, a culturally tailored, gender-specific behavior change curriculum, was used for this project. An interprofessional team was used to enhance participant experience, and neighborhood collaborations were established to create sustainability of efforts. Pre- and postintervention measures of diet, physical activity, social support, and knowledge acquisition were used to evaluate outcomes.ResultsImprovement was noted for knowledge in most of the content areas, as well as for dietary and physical activity behaviors. All participants rated the program highly and responded positively to the social support experienced in the group.ConclusionCulturally tailored lifestyle interventions can be effective in improving knowledge and encouraging behavior change, especially when delivered in group settings to enhance social support. Community-level collaborations enhance interventions by providing local support and resources for participants. Because behavior change takes time, follow-up at the 6-month and 1-year intervals is recommended to determine longer-term outcomes.     

Real-World Impact of Transferring the Dispensing of Hospital-Only Medicines to Community Pharmacies During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ObjectivesIn Portugal, the dispensing of most outpatient specialty medicines is performed exclusively through hospital pharmacies and totally financed by the National Health Service. During the COVID-19 first wave, the government allowed the transfer of the dispensing of hospital-only medicines (HOMs) to community pharmacies (CPs). This study aimed to measure the value generated by the intervention of CP in the dispensing of HOM.MethodsA single-arm, before-and-after study with 3-month follow-up was conducted enrolling a randomly selected sample of patients or caregivers with at least 1 dispensation of HOM through CP. Data were collected by telephone interview. Main outcomes were patients’ self-reported adherence (Measure Treatment Adherence), health-related quality of life (EQ-5D 3-Level), satisfaction with the service, and costs related to HOM access.ResultsOverall 603 subjects were recruited to participate in the study (males 50.6%) with mean 55 years old (SD = 16). The already high mean adherence score to therapy improved significantly (P < .0001), and no statistically significant change (P > .5757) was found in the mean EQ-5D score between baseline (0.7 ± 0.3) and 3-month follow-up (0.8 ± 0.3). Annual savings account for €262.1/person, arising from travel expenses and absenteeism reduction. Participants reported a significant increase in satisfaction levels in all evaluated domains—pharmacist’s availability, opening hours, waiting time, privacy conditions, and overall experience.ConclusionsChanging the dispense setting to CP may promote better access and satisfaction. Moreover, it ensures the persistence of treatments, promotes savings for citizens, and reduces the burden of healthcare services, representing a crucial public health measure.     

儿童社区获得性肺炎血清维生素A的变化及与免疫功能相关性

目的 研究社区获得性肺炎(community acquired pneumonia,CAP)患儿血清维生素A(vitamin A,VA)水平及与免疫功能的相关性,为肺炎病情评估提供一定参考。方法 以入住新乡医学院第一附属医院PICU的63例重度社区获得性肺炎(severe community acquired pneumonia, SCAP)患儿(SCAP组)、普通儿科病区的30例轻度社区获得性肺炎(mild community acquired pneumonia, MCAP)患儿(MCAP组),以及同期体检的30名健康儿童(对照组)为研究对象,检测其血清中VA和免疫球蛋白(immunoglobulin,Ig)G、IgA、IgM水平,及SCAP组体内T淋巴细胞亚群(总T淋巴细胞、CD4、CD8、CD4/CD8),并对SCAP组体内VA水平及以上指标的相关性进行分析。结果 3组性别和年龄差异无统计学意义;血清中VA的平均含量分别为0.36、0.25和0.19 mg/L,CAP组VA的含量较对照组明显降低,且SCAP组明显低于MCAP组(P<0.05)。根据WHO推荐的VA诊断标准,3组VA临床缺乏/亚临床缺乏率分别为10.00%、36.67%和61.90%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。CAP组血清中Ig水平较对照组明显降低,且SCAP组明显低于MCAP组(P<0.05)。SCAP组血中总T淋巴细胞、CD4、CD8和CD4/CD8的平均水平分别为53.28%、30.26%、20.24%和1.59;分析VA水平与免疫相关指标关系发现VA水平与Ig(IgG、IgA、IgM)水平、总T淋巴细胞、CD4呈正相关,与CD8水平不相关。结论 肺炎患儿血清VA水平与病情严重程度及机体免疫功能相关。     

新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情下社区医院人员防控知识强化测评模式效果评价

目的 对社区医院人员防控知识强化测评模式的实施效果进行评价。方法 通过第三方数据收集平台,在规定时间内、实名制进行疫情防控知识问卷考核,以各岗位合格分数为标准,确认能否上岗,防控知识反复强化,题库动态更新,使各岗位人员保持高度认知的实战状态。结果 首次测试,医院全体人员新型冠状病毒肺炎防控知识平均分为78.37,100%的人知晓用过的一次性帽子和口罩的处理;只有23.27%的知晓医疗机构预检点或分诊台物品的消毒频次。强化测评模式实施1周后,医院全体人员新型冠状病毒肺炎防控知识平均分上升至93.84。上岗情况中,培训3 d上岗人数由48人上升至78人,培训第10天为149人,上岗率也由30.19%上升至第3天的49.05%,以及培训第10天的93.71%。结论 强制社区医院人员学习新型冠状病毒肺炎防控知识效果明显,整体水平短期内迅速提升,并保持高度认知,该强化测评模式对一线社区医院人员防控能力的提升有实际应用价值。     

The conflicted practice: Municipal occupational therapists’ experiences with assessment of clients with cognitive impairments

Background: The practice of Norwegian occupational therapists (OTs) in municipal practice is a little explored area and with the Coordination Reform Act from 2012, Norwegian OTs in municipal practice have received responsibilities concerning clients with cognitive impairments. The aim of this study was to explore municipal OTs experiences with assessment of clients with cognitive impairments.

Method: Fourteen individual interviews with OTs who worked with clients with cognitive impairments, were conducted. An inductive thematic analysis, using text condensation and coding, was performed.

Results: The results revealed three themes; power of occupation, advantages and disadvantages of assessments used and the need for competencies within municipal services. The participants emphasized using observation in the assessment process and reflected on pros and cons of the standardized assessment tools they used. They expressed a need for competence development, although it was difficult to prioritize to do so.

Conclusion: This study illustrated a conflicted practice related to choices OTs make in their practices. They valued the importance of working occupation based, however, they chose to use impairment based standardized assessments. They expressed a need to engage in professional development, but due to heavy workloads, the limited power they experienced and lack of knowledge, this was difficult.