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Tag: Health Professions Education

  • Text messaging improved FIT completion more than nurse calls

    Text messaging improved FIT completion more than nurse calls

    What the study found

    The study found that automated, behaviorally informed text message reminders were associated with higher fecal immunochemical test (FIT) completion than a nurse-led telephone call reminder. FIT is a stool-based screening test used for colorectal cancer screening.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that automated messaging may offer a scalable, low-cost strategy to promote preventive care and reduce staff burden in underserved populations. The study suggests this could be useful in safety-net settings where screening rates remain suboptimal.

    What the researchers tested

    This quality improvement randomized clinical trial was done at 8 Federally Qualified Health Centers in Brooklyn, New York. Adults with a new FIT order who spoke English, Spanish, or Chinese and had not opted out of text messaging were randomized to 3 automated one-way text reminders on days 2, 5, and 8 or to a single nurse-led telephone call on day 8.

    What worked and what didn't

    FIT completion within 21 days was higher in the text group than in the telephone group: 58.9% versus 49.8%, an absolute difference of 9.0 percentage points. Secondary outcomes at 7 and 14 days were assessed, and post hoc analyses found no evidence of different effectiveness by age, sex, race and ethnicity, or patient portal use.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe longer-term follow-up beyond 21 days. It also does not provide detailed limitations beyond the trial setting and the participant eligibility criteria.

    • Automated text reminders were associated with higher FIT completion than a nurse-led phone call.
    • Completion within 21 days was 58.9% in the text group and 49.8% in the telephone group.
    • The trial included 1,275 adults at 8 Federally Qualified Health Centers in Brooklyn, New York.
    • No evidence of different effectiveness was found by age, sex, race and ethnicity, or patient portal use.
    • The authors say automated messaging may reduce staff burden and support preventive care.

  • Mobile integrated health may improve elderly acute care in Finland

    What the study found

    The study found that Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) can offer human-centered acute care for older adults at home and may reduce unnecessary hospital visits. The authors also report that it can support elderly independence and be organized in ways that help health care system sustainability.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that MIH may be a useful value-based model for elderly acute care in a publicly funded health system. They say it may promote equity, accessibility, and sustainability, and that it offers policymakers an example of how MIH can be organized.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers used a qualitative design and conducted semistructured interviews with 21 frontline health care professionals involved in Finland's MIH service. They examined MIH through the lens of value creation, value delivery, and value capture.

    What worked and what didn't

    According to the interviews, value was cocreated through integrated networks of emergency and social services, with paramedics and geriatric nurses contributing expertise and standardized care pathways. Effective implementation required coordination and task-shifting across emergency departments, MIH teams, and social care providers. The abstract also states that MIH reduces emergency interventions and hospitalizations, but the evidence presented here is based on professionals' accounts in one national pilot context.

    What to keep in mind

    This summary is based on a qualitative study of 21 health care professionals in Finland, so it reflects their perspectives rather than direct patient outcomes. The abstract does not provide detailed limitations beyond the pilot context and the need for thorough evaluation before formal integration.

    • MIH was described as providing human-centered acute care for older adults at home.
    • The abstract says MIH can reduce unnecessary hospital visits, emergency interventions, and hospitalizations.
    • Value was described as being cocreated through integrated emergency and social service networks.
    • Paramedics and geriatric nurses were identified as important contributors to the model.
    • The authors say implementation depends on coordination, task-shifting, skill development, and coordinated information systems.

  • Little Havana seniors face multiple barriers to orthopedic care

    What the study found

    The study found that adults and seniors in Little Havana have several social and access-related barriers that may limit orthopedic care, including lower insurance coverage, more poverty, more limited English proficiency, and transportation problems. It also found higher hip fracture hospitalization rates and relatively few orthopedic centers in the neighborhood.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that these findings identify areas where targeted interventions may help reduce disparities and improve orthopedic outcomes in this population. They specifically mention expanding insurance coverage, strengthening translation services, improving transportation support, and increasing local orthopedic care.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional analysis using publicly available, aggregate-level data from Statistical Atlas and Miami-Dade Matters. They examined six Little Havana zip codes for people aged 65 and older, and compared summary measures with Miami-Dade County averages. No inferential statistical testing was performed.

    What worked and what didn't

    Seniors in Little Havana had higher foreign-born rates and more limited English proficiency than the county overall. Adult uninsured rates and senior poverty rates were also higher, and more households lacked a vehicle. Hip fracture hospitalization rates were substantially higher than county levels for both women and men, while only seven orthopedic centers served the neighborhood and none were located in the highest-need zip code.

    What to keep in mind

    This was a descriptive study based on publicly available aggregate data, so it does not test cause and effect. The abstract does not describe individual-level clinical data, and it does not report inferential statistical significance.

    • Little Havana seniors had more limited English proficiency and higher foreign-born rates than county averages.
    • Adult uninsured rates and senior poverty rates were higher in Little Havana than in Miami-Dade County overall.
    • Transportation barriers were common, with many households lacking a vehicle.
    • Hip fracture hospitalization rates were higher for both women and men than county levels.
    • Seven orthopedic centers served the neighborhood, and none were in the highest-need zip code.

  • Online osteoporosis information often falls short of evidence-based standards

    What the study found

    The study found that online health information about osteoporosis often failed to meet basic evidence-based health information standards. Average quality scores were low for diagnostics, treatment, and prevention information.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that improving the quality of online osteoporosis information is important for supporting informed decision-making. They also state that as online health information use increases, reliable and evidence-based resources are critical to improving patient outcomes.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of German- and English-language Google search results for “osteoporosis” and its German translation. They used the validated Mapping the Quality of Health Information (MAPPinfo) checklist to assess whether websites met evidence-based health information criteria.

    What worked and what didn't

    A total of 146 websites met the inclusion criteria, including sources such as hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, specialist organisations, and others. The average compliance with evidence-based criteria was 15.3% for diagnostics, 16.7% for treatment, and 17.4% for prevention, indicating low overall quality. Most websites covered more than one topic area, but rehabilitation information was rare.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract describes a search of Google results in German and English, so the findings are limited to that setting and time period. The available summary does not report detailed limitations beyond the study design and scope.

    • The study evaluated osteoporosis information found through Google in German and English.
    • 146 websites met the inclusion criteria.
    • Average evidence-based quality scores were low across diagnostics, treatment, and prevention.
    • The authors say better online information is needed to support informed decision-making.
    • Rehabilitation information was included on only one website.

  • Acceptability of sharing browsing history depends on trust and control

    What the study found

    Participants said they would be more willing to share internet browsing history when they trusted the researchers, understood how the data would be used, and could control what was shared. Concerns about privacy, possible misuse, and technical difficulty were prominent, especially for data unrelated to health or involving other people.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that browsing history may have value for cancer research, but only if studies use ethical and inclusive approaches. They suggest that clearer information, defined data limits, and direct contact with the research team may help build trust and support sharing.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers used semistructured and think-aloud interviews to explore the acceptability of sharing internet browsing history for health research. They purposively sampled 20 participants through community organizations and charities, including 10 people with a history of cancer and 10 without, and analyzed the transcripts thematically using an adapted theoretical framework of acceptability.

    What worked and what didn't

    Trust and transparency were central to acceptability, and participants wanted ethical handling of data, clear communication, and familiarity with a named research team. Participants also wanted control over what was shared, were uneasy about nonhealth information such as banking details or content involving family members, and many had concerns about the technical process and the possibility of data being used beyond the original study purpose. Some participants questioned the personal value of their browsing history, while still seeing possible wider benefits for early detection and access to credible online information.

    What to keep in mind

    The study is based on a small qualitative sample of 20 participants, so it describes views rather than measuring how common they are. It focused on hypothetical research scenarios and included people from groups at risk of digital and health inequalities, so the findings may not apply to all populations. The abstract does not describe other limitations.

    • Participants said trust, transparency, and control were key to sharing browsing history.
    • Privacy concerns were strongest for nonhealth information and activity involving other people.
    • Potential misuse of data beyond the original study worried participants more than the data type itself.
    • Many participants raised concerns about the technical difficulty of sharing browsing data.
    • Some participants saw possible benefits for early detection and promoting credible online sources.

  • PET-Health participants reported stronger collaboration and clearer roles

    What the study found

    The PET-Health interprofessional education program was reported to foster teamwork among participants. Students and preceptors described improved communication with other professionals, fewer stereotypes, and a better understanding of the roles of different healthcare workers.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors state that interprofessional education is fundamental to training health professionals and should be included in curriculum guidelines, pedagogical programs, and public health policies. They also conclude that it is important for student training and professional development.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers conducted an exploratory qualitative study using narratives from students and preceptors in an interprofessional PET-Health program at the University Center of Valença in Brazil. They analyzed the narratives with IRaMuTeQ software from a phenomenological perspective.

    What worked and what didn't

    The analysis included 25 narratives, with 272 of 321 text segments retained, and four classes emerged. The results highlighted clearer professional roles, reduced stereotypes, stronger communication, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, adaptations such as remote health education, and the importance of community-based teaching and preceptors as mediators.

    What to keep in mind

    The study is based on narratives from one program at one institution, so its scope is limited. The abstract also notes that longitudinal studies are needed to assess the impact of interprofessional education on population health outcomes.

    • Participants reported improved communication with other professionals.
    • The program was described as reducing stereotypes and clarifying professional roles.
    • COVID-19 disrupted in-person activities and led to remote health education strategies.
    • Community-based teaching was described as supporting collaborative competencies.
    • Preceptors were described as playing a central mediating role.

  • Received support and psychological capital were linked to less nurse distress

    What the study found

    The study found that nurses who received support after adverse events had different levels of distressing experiences, and that psychological capital, meaning a person's positive psychological resources, was part of this relationship. The authors report a partial mediating role for psychological capital.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that adequate support systems and high psychological capital can help reduce negative emotions and distress in nurses as second victims. They also suggest that hospital administrators should build a fair patient safety culture, provide support tailored to the nurse and the event, and involve psychologists for counseling.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers carried out a multicenter cross-sectional study of clinical nurses in six medical institutions in Xuzhou, China. They included nurses with a history of adverse events in the past year and collected 422 valid questionnaires using a social-demographic questionnaire, the Nurse Psychological Capital Scale, and the Second Victim Experience and Support Scale.

    What worked and what didn't

    Received support was significantly correlated with distressing experiences among nurses after adverse events (r = 0.359, p < 0.01). Received support was also significantly correlated with psychological capital (r = -0.326, p < 0.01), and psychological capital was significantly correlated with distressing experiences (r = -0.434, p < 0.01). Psychological capital showed a partial mediating effect, with a mediating effect size of 0.152, accounting for 32.27% of the total effect.

    What to keep in mind

    The study was cross-sectional, so it measured associations at one point in time rather than showing cause and effect. The abstract does not describe other limitations.

    • The study examined nurses who had experienced adverse events in the past year.
    • Received support and distressing experiences were significantly correlated.
    • Psychological capital was negatively correlated with both received support and distressing experiences.
    • Psychological capital partly mediated the link between received support and distressing experiences.
    • The authors recommend support systems, a fair patient safety culture, and counseling for second victims.