Using Fa'afaletui to explore Samoan consumers' experience and interpretation of mental health person-centred care in Aotearoa,New Zealand

This study applied a fa'afaletui cultural lens to an exploratory qualitative study examining Samoan families' experiences and engagement with a person-centred care model employed in specific mental health services in Aotearoa. Six semi-structured talanoa group discussions with families who had been previously or currently engaged with mental health services. In addition, a local stakeholder group was recruited to guide stages of the fa'afaletui. A total of 13 individual participants from six families participated. Participants consisted of four mothers, two fathers, five sisters, one son, and one husband. Five themes were identified: (i) Fa'atuatua ile Atua; Spiritual faith in God; (ii) It is a hush hush topic; stigma of mental illness; (iii) We are in the dark with our communication and dealings with the services; (v) Practice what you preach; clinical service delivery misaligned with the model of care; and (vi) Alofa (love) and fa'aaloalo (respect); enablers of positive experience. The findings overall highlight spirituality and religion as core to a Samoan's faith to foster resilience and healing when facing adverse mental health events with their family members. In addition, the need to build up capacity for Pacific staffed specialist services and Pacific model to achieve equity and holistic care for Samoans and other Pacific populations at risk of adverse mental health outcomes are recommended.     

Efficiency and safety of microneedling fractional radiofrequency in the treatment of Chinese atrophic acne scars: A retrospective study of 3 consecutive treatments with 1-month intervals

Background

Atrophic acne scars (AAS) impact the aesthetic appearance, inducing social and psychological problems. Effective and safe therapy for AAS is urgently needed now. Microneedling fractional radiofrequency (MFRF) has emerged as a minimal invasive alteration for treating AAS lately, while the existing data on Chinese population was few.

Aims

We aimed to explore the effectivity and safety of MFRF in Chinese patients with facial AAS and analyze the response of different subtypes to MFRF treatment.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from medical records and clinical photographs of 40 Chinese patients with AAS with Fitzpatrick skin type III-IV, all of them had received 3 MFRF treatments with 1-month intervals and were followed up 3 months after the last treatment. The clinical severity was assessed through échelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné (ECCA) score at each visit. Clinical photographs were taken by VISIA. Patients were asked to evaluate their satisfaction of the treatment using a 5-point Likert scale at the last visit.

Results

ECCA score decreased more than a half at the last visit based on the baseline. Among the three types of AAS, the M-shaped scars respond most quickly to MFRF and the U-shaped scars improved the most after 3 months follow-up. A significant improvement was seen in clinical appearance, parallel to the change of ECCA, indicating the remarkable improvement of AAS after the MFRF treatment. Concomitant active acne was controlled along with the improvement of AAS. Statistics from VISIA showed excellent improvement in pores and texture as well. Side effects including pain and erythema were transient and mild. The number of MFRF treatment sessions was positively associated with the degree of improvement. Of the total 39 patients who had given a score of satisfaction, more than 89% (35 patients) were very satisfied or satisfied with the outcome.

Conclusions

To sum up, our study reveals that MFRF provides high efficiency in treating Chinese AAS patients with high satisfaction and low risk of adverse effects. M-shaped scars are the most sensitive type to the treatment, but the U-shaped scars improve most at the last visit. The simultaneous minimization of pores and improvement of skin texture imply the increased collagen stimulated by MFRF. Regular MFRF should be considered a good choice in treating AAS.     

Post-positivistic critical multiplism: a beginning dialogue

Following the recognition that logical positivism was no longer tenable in modern science, post-positivism and its research methodology, critical multiplism, emerged and offered a new way of thinking about science. Though not a panacea, critical multiplism, in which methodological pluralism is advocated, offers a way around the debate of which conception of science is appropriate for nursing and, as such, poses advantages for nursing scientific knowledge development.     

Involving fathers in research

Column Editor: Lauren Clark Scientific Inquiry provides a forum to facilitate the ongoing process of questioning and evaluating practice, presents informed practice based on available data, and innovates new practices through research and experimental learning.     

Inhibitors of Sortases of Gram-Positive Bacteria and their Role in the Treatment of Infectious Diseases (Review)

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal - The functions of sortase bacterial enzymes and their surface-protein substrates are reviewed. Their role in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases such as...