&

Is It Parkinson's? These 10 Signs Could Tell

Title: Is It Parkinson's? These 10 Signs Could Tell
Category: Health News
Created: 8/19/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/19/2022 12:00:00 AM




&

There's More MS in Northern Countries. Now, Researchers Find New Reason Why

Title: There's More MS in Northern Countries. Now, Researchers Find New Reason Why
Category: Health News
Created: 8/25/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/25/2022 12:00:00 AM




&

Vaginal or C-Section, Method of Childbirth Won't Affect a Couple's Sex Life Later

Title: Vaginal or C-Section, Method of Childbirth Won't Affect a Couple's Sex Life Later
Category: Health News
Created: 8/24/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/25/2022 12:00:00 AM




&

When Hospital Patient & Doctor Speak Same Language, Outcomes Improve

Title: When Hospital Patient & Doctor Speak Same Language, Outcomes Improve
Category: Health News
Created: 7/11/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/11/2022 12:00:00 AM




&

Being Social May Be Key to 'Sense of Purpose' as You Age

Title: Being Social May Be Key to 'Sense of Purpose' as You Age
Category: Health News
Created: 7/12/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/12/2022 12:00:00 AM




&

'Virtual' Museum Visits Are Good Medicine for Seniors

Title: 'Virtual' Museum Visits Are Good Medicine for Seniors
Category: Health News
Created: 8/16/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/16/2022 12:00:00 AM




&

AHA News: How You Feel About Aging Could Affect Health. Here's How to Keep the Right Attitude.

Title: AHA News: How You Feel About Aging Could Affect Health. Here's How to Keep the Right Attitude.
Category: Health News
Created: 8/19/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/19/2022 12:00:00 AM




&

Get Moving! Any Sports Can Lower Seniors' Odds of Early Death

Title: Get Moving! Any Sports Can Lower Seniors' Odds of Early Death
Category: Health News
Created: 8/25/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM




&

Looking for Reliable Hay Fever Advice? It's Probably Not on YouTube

Title: Looking for Reliable Hay Fever Advice? It's Probably Not on YouTube
Category: Health News
Created: 8/16/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/16/2022 12:00:00 AM




&

Kidneys' Resilience May Depend on Your Gender, Study Finds

Title: Kidneys' Resilience May Depend on Your Gender, Study Finds
Category: Health News
Created: 8/22/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/22/2022 12:00:00 AM




&

Australia's Current Flu Season Is Tough: Will America's Be the Same?

Title: Australia's Current Flu Season Is Tough: Will America's Be the Same?
Category: Health News
Created: 8/4/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/5/2022 12:00:00 AM




&

Postpartum Depression Can Hit Both Mom & Dad, Sometimes at Same Time

Title: Postpartum Depression Can Hit Both Mom & Dad, Sometimes at Same Time
Category: Health News
Created: 6/27/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/28/2022 12:00:00 AM




&

Study Casts Doubt on 'Chemical Imbalance' Theory of Depression

Title: Study Casts Doubt on 'Chemical Imbalance' Theory of Depression
Category: Health News
Created: 8/9/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/9/2022 12:00:00 AM




&

Primary Care Clinicians' Interest In, and Barriers To, Medication Abortion

Purpose:

Providing medication abortion in the primary care setting is a promising way to increase access to abortion, a threatened service in many States. This study aimed to characterize primary care clinicians’ interest in prescribing medication abortion, what barriers they face in adding this service, and what support they need.

Methods:

Data were collected from 162 practicing primary care clinicians in Minnesota using an online survey with closed- and open-ended response options. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, group comparison analyses, and content analysis for the open-ended questions.

Results:

Participants represented a diverse range of ages, years in practice, credentials, genders, and urban/rural practice settings, and held mixed knowledge and attitudes around medication abortion. All demographic groups surveyed expressed interest in prescribing medication abortion, with the strongest interest represented among younger respondents, women, and those practicing in urban settings. Clinicians who provide prenatal care or who already work with these medications in other contexts were more likely to want to add medication abortion to their practices. The most common barrier to providing medication abortion was a lack of knowledge about organizational policies and about the medications themselves. To empower clinicians to provide medication abortion, respondents voiced needing their health systems to build clear processes and wanting supportive networks of other clinicians for collaboration.

Conclusions:

Given the interest of primary care clinicians in providing medication abortion, health systems have a valuable opportunity to increase access.




&

Reply to Letter to Editor Concerning “Nocturnal Pressure Controlled Ventilation Improves Sleep Efficiency in Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation”




&

Editor’s Commentary




&

Intraprofessional Education Experiences in Dentistry: Dental hygienists’ perceptions of collaboration with dentists

Purpose Health care professionals (HCPs) working collaboratively can improve patient outcomes and also increase their understanding of each other’s professional roles. This descriptive study aimed to explore dental hygienists’ perceptions of collaboration with dentists and intraprofessional educational (IntraPE) experiences.Methods A convenience sampling method was used to assess DHs perceptions of collaboration with dentists using the Interprofessional Collaboration Scale (ICS), a validated scale that measures perceptions of communication, accommodation, and isolation among HCPs. One open-ended question was added to explore IntraPE. Demographics, work characteristics and responses from the ICS were analyzed using frequency, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation, t-test, ANOVA, and multivariable regression. Responses from the open-ended question were transcribed, organized, and coded. Themes were identified using the Delve Qualitative Analysis Tool.Results Of the 264 participants, the average age was 38.9, and most identified as female (98.9%). Data analysis revealed that DHs had positive perceptions of collaboration with dentists. Significant relationships were found between ICS factor accommodation and the average number of patients treated per day (rs = −0.242, p<0.001), dentists’ age (rs = −.145, p<0.05). Isolation showed a significant negative correlation with the average number of patients treated per day (rs = −0.156, p<0.05). Most reported having no opportunities for IntraPE education experiences with dentists. Five categories of themes were identified from the open-ended question: shared academic setting, clinic dentist, externships, desire for more shared learning, and shared patient experiences.Conclusion Dental hygienists in this study had an overall more positive than negative perception of collaboration with dentists. Dental and dental hygiene programs should focus on intraprofessional education experiences to continue to enhance collaboration.




&

Longitudinal validation of King's Sarcoidosis Questionnaire in a prospective cohort with mild sarcoidosis

Background

Quality of life is impaired in patients with sarcoidosis. The King's Sarcoidosis Questionnaire (KSQ) is a brief questionnaire assessing health-related quality of life in patients with sarcoidosis, comprising subdomains of General Health Status (GHS), Lung, Medication, Skin and Eyes. The aim of this study was to enhance the validation of the KSQ, incorporating longitudinal validation and known-groups validity in a cohort with mild sarcoidosis.

Methods

The KSQ was linguistically validated according to guidelines. Patients with sarcoidosis completed KSQ and other questionnaires at baseline, after 2 weeks and at 12 months. Forced vital capacity (FVC) was measured. Concurrent validity, reliability and responsiveness were assessed.

Results

In patients (n=150), the KSQ had moderate to strong correlations with the Short Form-12 (Mental Component Summary), the King's Brief Interstitial Lung Disease questionnaire and the Fatigue Assessment Scale (r=0.30–0.70) and weak correlations with the Short Form-12 (Physical Component Summary) and FVC (r=0.01–0.29). The KSQ GHS and Lung domains were able to discriminate between groups of patients stratified according to fatigue, treatment and FVC. The KSQ had high internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.73–0.90) and repeatability (interclass correlation coefficients 0.72–0.81). Correlations to comparable questionnaires at baseline were moderate or strong for the GHS, Lung and GHS–Lung subdomains and weak or moderate for FVC. The KSQ was responsive to changes over time.

Conclusion

This study strengthened the validation of the KSQ by introducing known-groups validity and assessments of responsiveness over 12 months in patients with mild sarcoidosis.




&

Reassessing Halm's clinical stability criteria in community-acquired pneumonia management

Background

Halm's clinical stability criteria have long guided antibiotic treatment and hospital discharge decisions for patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Originally introduced in 1998, these criteria were established based on a relatively small and select patient population. Consequently, our study aims to reassess their applicability in the management of CAP in a contemporary real-world setting.

Methods

This cohort study included 2918 immunocompetent patients hospitalised with CAP from three hospitals in Denmark between 2017 and 2020. The primary outcome was time to achieve clinical stability as defined by Halm's criteria. Additionally, we examined recurrence of clinical instability and severe complications. Cumulative incidence function or Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to analyse these outcomes, considering competing risks.

Results

The study population primarily comprised elderly individuals (median age 75 years) with significant comorbidities. The median time to clinical stability according to Halm's criteria was 4 days, with one-fifth experiencing recurrence of instability after early clinical response (stability within 3 days). Severe complications within 30 days mainly comprised mortality, with rates of 5.1% (64/1257) overall in those with early clinical response, 1.7% (18/1045) in the subgroup without do-not-resuscitate orders and 17.3% (276/1595) among the rest.

Conclusion

Halm's clinical stability criteria effectively classify CAP patients with different disease courses, yet achieving stability required more time in this ageing population with substantial comorbidities and more severe disease. Early clinical response indicates reduced risk of complications, especially in those without do-not-resuscitate orders.




&

&#x201C;Je suis desole, &#x0237;e parle francais&#x201D;: How English Hegemony Undermines Efforts to Shift Power in Global Health

Le texte complet de l’article est aussi disponible en français.




&

Documenting the Provision of Emergency Contraceptive Pills Through Youth-Serving Delivery Channels: Exploratory Mixed Methods Research on Malawi&#x2019;s Emergency Contraception Strategy

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are effective and can be used safely at any age repeatedly within the same cycle. They are often favored by youth yet are underutilized. Private facilities can increase ECP access but present barriers including cost. Identifying effective public-sector ECP distribution models can help ensure equitable access. The Malawi Ministry of Health developed a strategy to improve ECP access in 2020. We documented ECP provision through select public, youth-serving channels recommended by the strategy: general and youth-specific outreach, paid and unpaid community health workers (CHWs), and youth clubs.Methods:We conducted this mixed methods study from November 2022–March 2023 in 2 rural districts (Mchinji and Phalombe) implementing the strategy. We conducted qualitative interviews with 10 national stakeholders, 46 providers, and 24 clients aged 15–24 years about ECP service delivery. Additionally, 25 providers collected quantitative tally data about clients seeking ECPs. We analyzed qualitative data using grounded theory and quantitative data descriptively.Results:Stakeholders and providers reported ECP uptake increased in geographies where the strategy was implemented, especially among youth. Providers documented 3,988 client visits for ECPs over 3 months. Of these visits, 26% were from male clients, 36% were from clients aged younger than 20 years, and 64% received ECPs for the first time. Across channels, youth club leaders and unpaid CHWs reported the most client visits per provider and served the youngest clients. However, no ECPs were dispensed during 29% of visits due to stock-outs. While many providers were supportive of youth accessing ECPs, most held unfavorable attitudes toward repeat use.Conclusion:ECP access should be expanded through provision in the studied channels, especially youth clubs and CHWs. However, to meet demand, the supply chain must be strengthened. We recommend addressing providers’ attitudes about repeat use to ensure informed method choice.




&

A Cosmopolitan Argument for Temporary &#x201C;Diagonal&#x201D; Short-Term Surgical Missions as a Component of Surgical Systems Strengthening




&

National Politics&#x2019; Role in Developing Primary Health Care Policy for Maternal Health in Papua New Guinea: A Qualitative Document Analysis

ABSTRACTPolitics is one of the critical factors that influence health policy agendas. However, scholarly efforts, especially in low- and middle-income countries, rarely focus on how politics influence health policy agenda-setting. We conducted a qualitative document review to examine the factors that led to developing the free primary health care policy for maternal health in Papua New Guinea. We also discuss mechanisms through which national politics, as an overriding factor, influenced the development of the policy. The review draws on Kingdon’s multiple-stream model for agenda-setting and incorporates theoretical insights from Fox and Reich’s framework for analyzing the politics of health reform for universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries.




&

GPs&#x2019; views of prescribing beta- blockers for people with anxiety disorders: a qualitative study

BackgroundBetween 2003 and 2018, incident prescriptions of beta-blockers for anxiety increased substantially, particularly for young adults. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance for anxiety does not recommend beta-blockers, probably due to a lack of evidence to support such use. Recent reports have highlighted the potential risks of beta-blockers.AimTo understand when and why GPs prescribe beta-blockers for people with anxiety.Design and settingIn-depth interviews with 17 GPs in Bristol and the surrounding areas.MethodInterviews were held by telephone or video call. A topic guide was used to ensure consistency across interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically.ResultsMany GPs viewed beta-blockers as ‘low risk’, particularly for young adults. Some GPs viewed beta-blockers as an alternative to benzodiazepines, acting quickly and not leading to dependence. GPs reflected that some patients appeared to want an ‘immediate fix’ to their symptoms, which GPs thought beta-blockers could potentially offer. This is salient in light of substantial waiting lists for talking therapies and delays in antidepressants taking effect. GPs described how some patients seemed more willing to try beta-blockers than antidepressants, as patients did not perceive them as ‘mental health drugs’ and therefore viewed them as potentially more acceptable and less stigmatising. Further, GPs viewed beta-blockers as ‘patient-led’, with patients managing their own dose and frequency, without GP input.ConclusionMany GPs believe that beta-blockers have a role to play in the management of anxiety. Given recent increases in the prescribing of these drugs in primary care, there is a need to assess their safety and effectiveness as a treatment for people with anxiety disorders.




&

Cardiovascular disease &#x2014; risk assessment and reduction: NICE 2023 update for GPs




&

Do I know you? (well enough to complete your multisource feedback &#x2026; )




&

'The Fellowship is breaking, it has already begun&#x2019;




&

Medicines prescribed elsewhere: don&#x2019;t forget to record them in the GP record!




&

Primary care health professionals&#x2019; approach to clinical coding: a qualitative interview study




&

Can&#x2019;t prescribe, can&#x2019;t dispense: the challenge of medicine shortages




&

[PERSPECTIVES] {alpha}-Synuclein in Parkinson's Disease: 12 Years Later

α-Synuclein (AS) is a small presynaptic protein that is genetically, biochemically, and neuropathologically linked to Parkinson's disease (PD) and related synucleinopathies. We present here a review of the topic of this relationship, focusing on more recent knowledge. In particular, we review the genetic evidence linking AS to familial and sporadic PD, including a number of recently identified point mutations in the SNCA gene. We briefly go over the relevant neuropathological findings, stressing the evidence indicating a correlation between aberrant AS deposition and nervous system dysfunction. We analyze the structural characteristics of the protein, in relation to both its physiologic and pathological conformations, with particular emphasis on posttranslational modifications, aggregation properties, and secreted forms. We review the interrelationship of AS with various cellular compartments and functions, with particular focus on the synapse and protein degradation systems. We finally go over the recent exciting data indicating that AS can provide the basis for novel robust biomarkers in the field of synucleinopathies, while at the same time results from the first clinical trials specifically targeting AS are being reported.




&

Correction to "Validity of diagnoses of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canadian administrative health data: a multiprovince, population-based cohort study"




&

Correction to "Opioid-related emergency department visits and deaths after a harm-reduction intervention: a retrospective observational cohort time series analysis"




&

Avis de deces pour octobre 2024 [Avis de d&eacute;c&egrave;s]




&

"Steroids in severe community-acquired pneumonia". S. Ananth, A.G. Mathioudakis, J. Hansel. Breathe 2024; 20: 240081.




&

'Systematic racism' in social work in Scotland to be addressed in review after report

A national review of social work in Scotland has been launched in a bid to address ‘systemic racism’ within the sector.




&

Nicola Sturgeon has made 'no decision' on standing for Holyrood election in 2026

The Herald understands that former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has made no decisions on whether she will stand for election in 2026.




&

Two thirds of Celtic fans want fan board put in place as 'poor' engagement called out

Two thirds of Celtic fans believe the club should have an independently elected Fan Advisory Board according to new research from the University of Glasgow.




&

SNP ministers urged to 'mitigate' UK Government's ‘chilling’ anti-terror strategy

Human rights campaigners are calling on SNP ministers to do all they can to “mitigate” Prevent, the UK Government's controversial anti-terror strategy.




&

'No one can work out what the job is': Sue Gray no longer Starmer envoy to nations

Sir Keir Starmer's beleaguered former chief of staff will no longer take up the position of “envoy to the nations and regions.”




&

'We had to come and help, to do what we can'- Valencia flood volunteers fear and hope

As parts of Spain are on alert for new flood warnings, Dominic Hinde meets the volunteers still involved in the aftermath and recovery following the initial disaster




&

Treasury stake in NatWest falls to 11.4% on £1bn shares buyback

NATWEST has moved to reduce the UK Government’s stake in the bank after buying back a significant tranche of shares from the Treasury in what it described as a “another important milestone”, it was announced this morning.




&

Backlash after former Labour Spin Doctor's comment on Farmers and Thatcher

A former aid to Tony Blair has been criticised by the SNP after he said the Government "should do farmers what Thatcher did to the miners".




&

Record obesity rates and a dental crisis: Survey lays bare state of nation's health

What does 2023's Scottish Health Survey tell us about Scotland's population - from smoking rates to obesity, and alcohol consumption?




&

First new homes on Scottish town's high street 'in living memory'

The flats are described as the first new homes on the Scottish town's High Street 'in living memory'




&

'Renowned' restructuring firm acquired by major sector player

A "renowned" restructuring advisory business has been acquired by a major player.




&

Scottish airport chief 'thrilled' as airline giant launches first advanced aircraft

The plane is hailed as 'one of the most advanced aircraft available on the market'




&

Housebuilder completes 'one of the largest' new Highland homes projects since 1970s

A rural housing project branded as ‘truly transformative’ has been completed




&

Hundreds of houses on golf club land 'much-needed', claims developer

Up to 650 houses could be built on land at the golf club




&

SNP's Stephen Flynn announces bid to become MSP in 2026 election

The SNP's Westminster leader has announced he is to contest a seat at Holyrood – and will ‘double-job’ as an MP and MSP if he wins.