Community Engagement in Research: An Updated Systematic Review of Quantitative Engagement Measurement Scales for Health Studies.

Though the interest in community engagement in research (CEnR) protocols has increased, studies reporting on the findings of tested CEnR engagement measurement scales for health studies are sparse. A systematic review was conducted from January 1 to March 1, 2023, to identify validated, quantitative CEnR engagement measurement tools for health studies. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was employed. The rigor of scale development, testing, and implementation was explored, and a `best practices evaluation conducted. Themes on the readiness of scales for implementation in health research studies were narratively compiled. Nineteen studies met the search inclusion criteria-reporting on the development, testing, and implementation of seven CEnR engagement measurement scales for health studies. Scale implementation studies precipitated only two of the studies. None of the scales followed the rigorous process dictated in best practices; however, at this time, three scales have gone through the most robust testing processes. Advancement of the science of engagement measurement requires consensus on terminology, application of best practices for scale development and testing protocols, and consistency of reporting findings.

Comparative performance data for multiplex SARS-CoV-2 serological assays from a large panel of dried blood spot specimens.

The extent of the COVID-19 pandemic will be better understood through serosurveys and SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. Dried blood spot (DBS) samples will play a central role in large scale serosurveillance by simplifying biological specimen collection and transportation, especially in Canada. Direct comparative performance data on multiplex SARS-CoV-2 assays resulting from identical DBS samples are currently lacking. In our study, we aimed to provide performance data for the BioPlex 2200 SARS-CoV-2 IgG (Bio-Rad), V-PLEX SARS-CoV-2 Panel 2 IgG (MSD), and Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Roche) commercial assays, as well as for two highly scalable in-house assays (University of Ottawa and Mount Sinai Hospital protocols) to assess their suitability for DBS-based SARS-CoV-2 DBS serosurveillance. These assays were evaluated against identical panels of DBS samples collected from convalescent COVID-19 patients (n = 97) and individuals undergoing routine sexually transmitted and bloodborne infection (STBBI) testing prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 90). Our findings suggest that several assays are suitable for serosurveillance (sensitivity >97% and specificity >98%). In contrast to other reports, we did not observe an improvement in performance using multiple antigen consensus-based rules to establish overall seropositivity. This may be due to our DBS panel which consisted of samples collected from convalescent COVID-19 patients with significant anti-spike, -receptor binding domain (RBD), and -nucleocapsid antibody titers. This study demonstrates that biological specimens collected as DBS coupled with one of several readily available assays are useful for large-scale COVID-19 serosurveillance.

Ruminating on rudeness: Exploring veterinarians' experiences of client incivility.

BACKGROUND: Interactions with clients have been identified as a key potential stressor within veterinary practice. However, there is a lack of research investigating the experience, and impact, of specific behaviours, such as incivility. The current study aimed to address this literature gap by investigating veterinarian perceptions of client rudeness. METHOD: Telephone interviews (n = 18) were used to gather qualitative data regarding veterinarian perceptions of client rudeness. This encompassed description of an uncivil interaction, potential causes of incivility, the impact on the veterinarian and coping strategies. RESULTS: The results indicate that veterinarians are exposed to a range of rude behaviours from clients, with suggested causal attributions spanning financial concerns, stress and worry. Adverse consequences associated with uncivil interactions included increased stress, mental health impacts and withdrawal from clients. Responses to incivility encompassed proactive pre-planning, empathy and clear communication. Support from colleagues was important to enable reflection and coping, alongside individual strategies, such as self-care. CONCLUSION: Client incivility has the potential to adversely impact veterinarians. Appraisal of potential external causes for rudeness could facilitate constructive responses to client incivility and support coping. This should be combined with emotional support from colleagues to mitigate any negative consequences following uncivil client interactions.

Dried blood spot specimens for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing: A multi-site, multi-assay comparison.

The true severity of infection due to COVID-19 is under-represented because it is based on only those who are tested. Although nucleic acid amplifications tests (NAAT) are the gold standard for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, serological assays provide better population-level SARS-CoV-2 prevalence estimates. Implementing large sero-surveys present several logistical challenges within Canada due its unique geography including rural and remote communities. Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling is a practical solution but comparative performance data on SARS-CoV-2 serological tests using DBS is currently lacking. Here we present test performance data from a well-characterized SARS-CoV-2 DBS panel sent to laboratories across Canada representing 10 commercial and 2 in-house developed tests for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Three commercial assays identified all positive and negative DBS correctly corresponding to a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 100% (95% CI = 72.2, 100). Two in-house assays also performed equally well. In contrast, several commercial assays could not achieve a sensitivity greater than 40% or a negative predictive value greater than 60%. Our findings represent the foundation for future validation studies on DBS specimens that will play a central role in strengthening Canada's public health policy in response to COVID-19.

Effect of a pragmatic home-based mobile health exercise intervention after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a randomized pilot trial.

AIMS: Impaired physical function is common in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and associated with worse outcomes. Participation in centre-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after cardiovascular procedures is sub-optimal. We aimed to test a home-based mobile health exercise intervention as an alternative or complementary approach. METHODS AND RESULTS: At five centres, after a run-in period, eligible individuals treated with TAVR were randomized 1:1 at their 1-month post-TAVR visit to an intervention group [activity monitor (AM) with personalized daily step goal and resistance exercises] or a control group for 6 weeks. Among 50 participants, average age was 76 years, 34% were female, average STS score was 2.91.8, and 40% had Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) 9. Daily compliance with wearing the AM and performing exercises averaged 8590%. In the intention to treat population, there was no evidence that the intervention improved the co-primary endpoints: daily steps +769 (95% CI 244 to +1783); SPPB +0.68 (0.27 to 1.53); and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire 1.7 (9.1 to 7.1). The intervention did improve secondary physical activity parameters, including moderate-to-intense daily active minutes (P<0.05). In a pre-specified analysis including participants who did not participate in CR (n=30), the intervention improved several measures of physical activity: +1730 (1003360) daily steps; +66 (28105) daily active minutes; +53 (2780) moderate-to-intense active minutes; and 157 (265 to 50) sedentary minutes. CONCLUSION: Among selected participants treated with TAVR, this study did not provide evidence that a pragmatic home-based mobile health exercise intervention improved daily steps, physical performance or QoL for the overall cohort. However, the intervention did improve several measures of daily activity, particularly among individuals not participating in CR. TRIAL REGISTRY: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03270124.

'No-one knows where you are': veterinary perceptions regarding safety and risk when alone and on-call.

BACKGROUND: Veterinary work is considered high risk and involves working with a range of hazards, including large animals, high workload and long hours. A key potential hazard is making home visits and providing out-of-hours emergency care, where vets often work alone, without support and must travel long distances. The current study aimed to examine UK veterinary perceptions of safety culture, lone working and on-call tasks to gain a deeper understanding of the risk and hazards involved. METHODS: An online mixed-methods survey was used to gather quantitative data relevant to practice safety culture and qualitative data regarding veterinary perception of lone working and on-call work. A sample of 76 UK veterinarians were recruited. RESULTS: The quantitative results suggest that there may be practice safety culture issues around a lack of communication and discussion pertaining to safety, particularly in terms of maintaining personal safety. Key themes within the qualitative data included the pressure to treat patients, potentially at personal risk, and feeling unsafe when meeting clients alone and in remote locations. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that personal safety requires more attention and discussion within veterinary practices, and that safety protocols and requirements should be shared with clients.

An investigation into the role of spirituality in nursing.

This article examines spirituality in nursing in terms of a critical literature review. The literature suggests that there is an increasing demand for holistic care within the NHS. Holistic care is based on the idea that there should be a balance between body, mind and spirit, however, clinical experience suggests that the spiritual dimension of nursing is rarely considered as there is a focus on what is perceived as scientific professionalism. The aim of this article is to explore the nature of spiritual care, discuss whether there is a need for it in nursing and explore ways in which nurses can provide it. This article is based on a critical review of the literature and empirical data on spirituality in nursing and identifies contrasting opinions around the definition of spiritual nursing care. Nurses can provide spiritual care by being conscious of their own spirituality as well as that of patients.