Do you think medicines can be prescribed in a more eco-directed, greener way? A qualitative study based on public and prescriber focus groups on the impact of pharmaceuticals in Scotlands water environment

Objectives
This qualitative study explored public and prescriber awareness of pharmaceutical pollution in the water environment and eco-directed sustainable prescribing (EDSP) as a mitigation strategy to reduce the environmental impact of prescribing in Scotland.

Design
Focus groups explored prescriber and public perceptions of the topic. Common questions were asked through semistructured facilitation. Focus groups were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim using an artificial intelligence system, then anonymised and thematically analysed using NVivo software. Data were iteratively analysed using the one sheet of paper technique.

Setting
Public focus groups were held in-person (Inverness, Scotland, April 2023), and prescriber focus groups were held virtually (MS Teams, August 2023).

Participants
Nine public representatives and 17 NHS Scotland prescribers participated in one of four focus groups. Purposive and opportunistic sampling approaches were used to recruit participants through social media and other channels (ie, community groups, professional emails, general practitioner and hospital flyers). Prescriber representatives registered interest through an online survey to gather information about their professional background. Responses were reviewed to ensure representation of a mixture of medical backgrounds, experience, sectors and health boards.

Results
There is growing awareness among the public and healthcare professionals of pharmaceutical pollution in the environment, but further education is required on the drivers, potential effects and possible interventions. Suggestions for more sustainable healthcare included public health awareness campaigns, better provision for pharmacy take-back schemes, clear medicine/packaging labelling, regular medicines reviews and more considered patient-centred care. From the prescriber perspective, EDSP resonated well with current sustainability initiatives (eg, Realistic Medicine, switching to dry-powder inhalers), but barriers to EDSP included lack of knowledge, confidence, time and resources to implement changes. Although the public representatives were generally open to the concept of EDSP, this decision required weighing pros/cons considering personal health choices, information accessibility and transparency, and trust in and time with prescribers.

Conclusions
This study identified new insights from prescribers and the public related to the concept of, and barriers to, EDSP in Scotland, as well as perspectives regarding knowledge support tools and information communication. Cross-sector and transdisciplinary collaborative approaches are needed to address the challenges identified here. Nonetheless, EDSP merits further exploration in developing more sustainable, appropriate and effective healthcare which contributes to improved public and planetary health.

Leggi
Gennaio 2025

Key elements for designing effective second victim support interventions: a focus group study in European clinical settings

Background
The second victim (SV) experience limits the performance of health and care workers and places patients at risk. Peer support is recognised as the most effective, feasible and acceptable intervention to mitigate its impact.

Objective
To define a set of success factors when designing interventions to support SVs in health and care facilities based on expertise in different European countries.

Setting
International collaboration involving countries with diverse cultures, structures and legal frameworks.

Design
Qualitative research.

Method
Focus groups involving a total of 43 participants were conducted in five countries. Prominent professionals in European peer support interventions were engaged. Analysis of common elements considered key to the success of these programmes was underscored.

Results
Critical success factors for designing effective SV support interventions included the need for an occupational health approach, the establishment of a strong organisational safety culture, immediate psychological first aid, long-term resilience building, the engagement and training of peer supporters, the provision of adequate resources and ongoing support, the importance of leadership commitment and the necessity of tailoring interventions to the specific context and needs of each institution and country considering their diverse sociocultural and legal framework. The expected benefits included ensuring optimal patient care and reducing associated costs such as staff turnover and litigation.

Conclusion
Effective SV support interventions are essential for enhancing the resilience and performance of health and care workers, ultimately improving patient safety. By implementing tailored and well-resourced interventions, healthcare institutions can mitigate the negative impact of the SV phenomenon, promoting optimal care.

Leggi
Gennaio 2025

Diagnostics for optimised dengue surveillance: a qualitative focus group study to investigate user experience and requirements in Thailand

Objectives
Effective, real-time surveillance of dengue may provide early warning of outbreaks and support targeted disease-control intervention but requires widespread accurate diagnosis and timely case reporting. Research directing innovation in diagnostics for dengue surveillance is lacking. This study aimed to describe experience and requirements of relevant prospective users.

Design
A qualitative, focus group study was conducted.

Participants
Data were collected from 19 users of diagnostic technology who work across the Thai dengue surveillance system.

Data collection and analysis
Contextual knowledge, experience and needs were explored in focus groups. Discussions were translated, transcribed, analysed thematically and mapped to Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research domains.

Results
Participants expressed a need for rapid, accurate, serotype-specific tests which can be operated easily by non-expert users without laboratory equipment. They supported integration of diagnostics with surveillance systems and felt this would increase the quantity and speed of case reporting as well as provide healthcare professionals with up-to-date information about the number of cases locally, thereby aiding interpretation of test results. Concerns included those relating to data security and the cost of tests.

Conclusions
Engagement to understand prospective user experience and requirements can improve relevance and uptake of new technology, leading to system efficiencies. The present study highlights specific needs for accurate, serotype-specific, remote-connected diagnostics which are integrated with surveillance systems and support dengue case reporting at the point-of-care.

Leggi
Novembre 2024

Abstract 4144724: Native aortic stenosis progression: a focus on sex differences.

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4144724-A4144724, November 12, 2024. Background:Paucity of evidence is available on sex-differences in the progression, left ventricular (LV) remodelling and long-term outcome in patients with native mild-to-moderate aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF).Objectives:To assess the sex-differences in the progression, LV remodelling and long-term outcome of native AS.Methods:Baseline and follow-up echocardiographic data of patients with at least mild-to-moderate AS [aortic valve area(AVA)≤1.5 cm2, maximum aortic velocity(Vmax) ≥2.5 m/s or mean gradient(MG)≥25 mmHg] were prospectively collected between 2014 and 2019 and retrospectively analysed. Patients with LVEFmild were excluded. AS progression (analysed by annualized progression ratios in echocardiographic parameters), all-cause death, aortic valve replacement (AVR), were investigated stratifying for sex.Results:We included 677 patients with a mean age of 70.8±13.2 years, 258 (38.1%) women. During a median 5 years follow-up, 118(17.4%) deaths and 211(32.2%) AVR occurred. After inverse-propensity-weighting (IPW), men had faster progression rate of AS compared to women (MG: mean difference 1.77[1.10-2.43] mmHg/year, p

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Novembre 2024

Abstract 4138639: Exploring advanced therapeutic approaches for atherosclerosis: Targeting efferocytosis and EndoMT with a focus on the CD47

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4138639-A4138639, November 12, 2024. Background:The anti-phagocytic molecule CD47 is upregulated in the atherosclerotic plaques of patients with cerebrovascular disease; however, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions have not been fully established. In this study, we postulate how endothelial-specific CD47 promotes endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) in potentiating atherosclerosis and assess the efficacy of the development of novel therapeutic interventions for cardiovascular disease.Methods:Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), combined with molecular, cellular, and biochemical analyses, we investigated the role of endothelial CD47 in stimulating EndoMT using knock-out in ApoE-/- atherosclerotic mouse models.Results:ScRNA-seq revealed that CD47 promotes EndoMT, and the loss of endothelial CD47 inhibits EndoMT marker expression as well as transforming growth factor-beta signalingin vitroand atherosclerotic mice, which is associated with smaller lesions inApoe-/-mouse model. In endothelial cells, CD47 hinders efferocytosis of senescent ECs and represses macrophage’s efferocytotic capacity to propel arterial inflammation and atherogenesis. Mechanistically, the interaction between CD47 and efferocytic receptor MerTK exacerbates inflammation by inhibiting the process of efferocytosis in endothelial cells and macrophages under atherogenic conditions. In response to atherogenic stimuli, endothelial CD47 upregulates the endocytic adaptor protein epsin, causing fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR1) signal attenuation that upregulates TGF-β signaling and promoting EndoMT and potentiating atherosclerosis.Conclusion:We conclude that endothelial CD47 potentiates EndoMT during atherogenesis by increasing TGF-β signaling through FGFR1 internalization and degradation and targeted manipulating CD47 expression with precision nanomedicine offering a novel approach for mitigating cardiovascular disease.

Leggi
Novembre 2024

Factors affecting the feasibility of post-authorisation RCTs for conditionally authorised anticancer medicines: a multistakeholder perspective from a qualitative focus group study

Objective
The collection of comprehensive data from post-authorisation trials for conditionally authorised anticancer medicines is frequently delayed. This raises questions about the feasibility of post-authorisation randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that aim to address remaining uncertainties. Therefore, this study explored factors that facilitate or impede the feasibility of post-authorisation RCTs from the perspective of stakeholders directly involved in the design, medical-ethical approval, and conduct of these RCTs.

Design
We conducted four qualitative focus groups (FGs).

Setting
FG discussions focused on the oncology setting in European context.

Participants
Twenty-eight European patients, physicians, medical ethicists and pharmaceutical industry representatives participated in the FGs.

Intervention
Respondents were informed about the topic and the purpose of the FGs before and at the start of FG discussions. An FG script was used to guide the discussion, which was informed by 14 semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders.

Results
We identified factors with the potential to impact feasibility related to trial design, trial conduct, factors external to a trial and post-authorisation interaction with regulators. Factors that may be particularly relevant for the post-authorisation setting include the choice of relevant endpoints and the inclusion of a fair comparator (trial design), strategies to increase patients’ and physicians’ willingness to participate (trial conduct), and external factors relating to a medicine’s commercial availability, the presence of competing medicines and trials and the perceptions about clinical equipoise. Post-authorisation interaction with regulators about how to obtain comprehensive data was deemed necessary in cases where a post-authorisation RCT seems infeasible.

Conclusions
Based on the identified factors, our findings suggest that patient recruitment and retention could be assessed more in-depth during regulatory feasibility assessments at the time of granting conditional marketing authorisation and that sponsors and regulators should better inform patients and physicians about the remaining uncertainties for conditionally authorised medicines and the necessity for post-authorisation RCTs. By enhancing the evaluation of trial feasibility, timely completion of post-authorisation RCTs may be facilitated to resolve the remaining uncertainties within a reasonable timeframe.

Leggi
Novembre 2024

Exploration of patients and healthcare professionals perspectives on kidney failure risk and the use of the kidney failure risk equation in MULTIPle lOng-term condItions aNd frailTy (MULTIPOINT) study: a qualitative interview and focus group study protocol

Introduction
Clinical guidelines recommend the use of the kidney failure risk equation (KFRE) to guide the referral of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to secondary kidney care services. People living with CKD frequently experience multiple long-term conditions (multimorbidity) and/or frailty. This may impact patients’ or carers’ perceptions of kidney failure in the context of other health problems and associated risks and emphasises the need for shared decision-making. This paper presents the research protocol for the exploration of patients’ and healthcare professionals’ perspectives on kidney failure risk and the use of the KFRE in the MULTIPle lOng-term condItions aNd frailTy study. This study aims to investigate patient and healthcare professionals’ perspectives and expectations of the use of KFRE in individuals with CKD and multimorbidity and/or frailty, with a focus on shared decision-making.

Methods and analysis
Analysis of semistructured interviews with adults who have CKD and multimorbidity and/or frailty and focus groups with healthcare professionals (who are involved in caring for patients with CKD). Framework analysis, underpinned by normalisation process theory, will be used to develop codes and explore themes from the interviews and focus groups. Patient and public involvement has been pivotal to the study conceptualisation and will continue to be embedded throughout the study.

Ethics and dissemination
The study protocol has undergone peer review by the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Research and Innovation team and has been granted ethical approval in August 2023 by the NHS Health Research Authority following a favourable opinion from the West of Scotland Research Ethics Committee (REC) 3 (IRAS ID: 325848, REC reference: 23WS/0119, Protocol number GN22RE559).
The results of the research will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conferences, as well as to patient and public involvement groups who have been involved in the study and through knowledge exchange events.

Leggi
Ottobre 2024

Mapping resilience: a scoping review on mediators and moderators of childhood adversity with a focus on gender patterns

Background
Childhood adversity is associated with a host of negative health and socioeconomic outcomes far into adulthood. The process of avoiding such outcomes is often referred to as resilience. Mapping resilience comprehensively and across contexts is highly relevant to public health, as it is a step towards understanding environments and interventions that contribute to preventing or reversing negative outcomes after early adverse experiences.

Objectives
This review scoped out the literature on resilience factors in relation to adulthood outcomes as diverse as mental health and educational attainment. Our aim was to understand where there is untapped research potential, by examining the current evidence base on resilience factors in terms of (a) resources that can buffer the impact of childhood adversity and (b) the pathways linking adversity to long-term outcomes. Furthermore, we aimed to identify gender patterns in these resources and pathways, which has not been a primary interest of reviews on resilience to date, and which can add to our understanding of the different ways in which resilience may unfold.

Eligibility criteria
Studies had to include an adversity experienced in childhood, an outcome considered indicative of resilience in adulthood, and at least one putative resilience factor, which had to be approached via mediation or moderation analysis. We considered cohort, case–control and cross-sectional studies.

Sources of evidence
We searched PubMed, Scopus and PsycINFO and included original, peer-reviewed articles published before 20 July 2023 in English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch and Swedish.

Charting methods
All three authors collaborated on the extraction of information relevant to answering the research questions. The results were visually and narratively summarised.

Results
We included 102 studies. Traditionally anchored in the field of psychology, the resilience literature focuses heavily on individual-level resilience factors. Gender was considered in approximately 22% of included studies and was always limited to comparisons between men and women. There is no evidence that childhood adversity impacts men and women differently in the long term, but there is some evidence for gender differences in resilience factors.

Conclusions
There is untapped potential in resilience research. By considering structural-level factors simultaneously with individual-level factors, and including gender as one of the elements that shape resilience, we can map resilience as a heterogeneous, multilevel process from a public health perspective. This would complement the extensive existing literature on individual-level factors and help reframe resilience as a concept that can be intervened on at a structural level, and that is subject to societal norms and forces, such as gender. There is a lack of quantitative studies including transgender and gender-non-conforming persons.

Leggi
Settembre 2024