Evaluating a novel hospital-based online health community to address palliative and psychosocial care factors for chronically ill adolescent and young adult patients.

OBJECTIVES: Chronically ill adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients experience barriers to accessing psychosocial care. AYAs who receive palliative and psychosocial care experience numerous benefits from these services. However, we still lack research investigating age-appropriate programs targeting AYAs' psychosocial needs that are delivered virtually and extend beyond the hospital setting. Streetlight is a palliative care program designed for chronically ill AYAs that offers the Streetlight Gaming League (SGL), an online health community (OHC) combining peer-based support, online gaming, and community events. We evaluated the usefulness, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of SGL through an assessment of chronically ill AYAs' lived experiences. METHODS: We used a qualitative evaluation approach grounded in hermeneutic phenomenology. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted with 9 chronically ill AYAs to elicit in-depth accounts of their lived experiences of using SGL. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on questionnaire data. Phenomenological data analysis, informed by hermeneutic analysis, was used to analyze interviews. RESULTS: AYAs reported positive experiences with SGL and valued the ability to engage in various content while having few participation expectations. They also described psychosocial benefits, including reprieve from illness, sense of community, and solidarity through mutual understandings and shared experiences. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESULTS: Findings highlight the usefulness and acceptability of a virtual palliative psychosocial care program for chronically ill AYAs. Findings also suggest the effectiveness of SGL and support using an OHC to meet the psychosocial needs of AYAs. This study can guide future programming and implementation of online palliative psychosocial care programs in other hospital settings, resulting in similar beneficial and meaningful experiences.

Delphi study to explore a new diagnosis for "ineffective" long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain.

ABSTRACT: A challenge in clinical, research, and policy spheres is determining whether and how to apply the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 Opioid Use Disorder criteria to patients receiving long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for the management of chronic pain. This study explored perspectives on the merits of creating a new diagnostic entity to characterize the problems that arise for certain patients prescribed LTOT and develop consensus on its definition and diagnostic criteria. We conducted 3 rounds of online surveys and held one discussion-based workshop to explore a new diagnostic entity and generate consensus with subject matter experts (n = 51) in pain and opioid use disorder, including a wide range of professional disciplines. The first survey included open-ended questions and rapid qualitative analysis to identify potential diagnostic criteria. Rounds 2 and 3 involved rating potential diagnostic criteria on a Likert-type scale to achieve consensus. The workshop was a facilitated conversation aimed at further refining criteria. Three-quarters of Delphi panelists were in favor of a new diagnostic entity; consensus was reached for 19 potential diagnostic criteria including benefits of LTOT no longer outweighing harms and a criterion related to difficulty tapering. A subgroup of expert panelists further refined the new diagnostic entity definition and criteria. Consensus on potential criteria for the new diagnostic entity was reached and further refined by a subgroup of experts. This Delphi study represents the opinions of a small group of subject matter experts; perspectives from other experts and additional stakeholder groups (including patients) are warranted.

Integrating a Video Game Recording Into a Qualitative Research Methods Course to Overcome COVID-19 Barriers to Teaching: Qualitative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a doctoral-level public health qualitative research methods course was moved to a web-based format. One module originally required students to conduct in-person observations within the community, but the curriculum was adapted using a web-based video game exercise. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate students' perceptions of this adaptation and determine whether the new pilot format successfully met the module's original learning objectives. METHODS: Recorded footage of a video game session was used for students to observe, take field notes, and compare the results. Qualitative methods were used to evaluate student feedback on the curriculum and determine whether the original learning objectives were met. Data were analyzed using a directed content analysis. RESULTS: The findings demonstrate that all the learning objectives of this adapted qualitative observational research assignment using a web-based video game exercise were successfully met; namely, the students learned how to compare and contrast the observational notes of peers and to evaluate how personal bias and environmental factors can affect qualitative data collection. The assignment was also positively received by the students. CONCLUSIONS: The results align with the constructivist learning theory and other successful COVID-19 implementations. Our study demonstrates that the learning objectives of a qualitative observational assignment can be addressed given that there are proper forethought and delivery when the assignment is adapted to a web-based context using a video game exercise.

Classification of Patients for Whom Benefit of Long-term Opioid Therapy No Longer Outweighs Harm: Protocol for a Delphi Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic pain prescribed long-term opioid therapy may come to a point where the benefits of the therapy are outweighed by the risks and tapering is indicated. At the 2019 Veterans Health Administration State of the Art Conference, there was an acknowledgment of a lack of clinical guidance with regard to treating this subset of patients. Some of the participants believed clinicians and patients would both benefit from a new diagnostic entity describing this situation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if a new diagnostic entity was needed and what the criteria of the diagnostic entity would be. Given the ability of the Delphi method to synthesize input from a broad range of experts, we felt this technique was the most appropriate for this study. METHODS: We designed a modified Delphi technique involving 3 rounds. The first round is a series of open-ended questions asking about the necessity of this diagnostic entity, how this condition is different from opioid use disorder, and what its possible diagnostic criteria would be. After synthesizing the responses collected, a second round will be conducted to ask participants to rate the different responses offered by their peers. These ratings will be collected and analyzed, and will generate a preliminary definition for this clinical phenomena. In the third round, we will circulate this definition with the aim of achieving consensus. RESULTS: The modified Delphi study was initiated in July of 2020 and analysis is currently underway. CONCLUSIONS: This protocol has been approved by the Internal Review Board at the Connecticut Veterans Affairs and the study is in process. This protocol may assist other researchers conducting similar studies. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/33310.

Arguments for and Against a New Diagnostic Entity for Patients With Chronic Pain on Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Whom Harms Outweigh Benefits.

The goal of this study was to understand perspectives on whether a new diagnostic entity, distinct from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - 5 (DSM-5) opioid use disorder (OUD), is needed for patients with chronic pain on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for whom the harms of continued opioid therapy outweigh the benefits. Data were collected as part of a larger Delphi study. We used rapid and thematic qualitative methods to analyze data from 51 panelists with expertise in internal medicine, psychiatry, psychology, and related fields. Three-quarters of panelists supported a new diagnostic entity; common themes included recognizing distinct experiences of patients prescribed LTOT, addressing problems with DSM-5 OUD criteria, facilitating research and improved treatment, and reducing stigma. Thirteen panelists opposed the creation of a new diagnostic entity; common themes included similarities in biological underpinnings of patients prescribed LTOT and diagnosed with OUD, belief that the continuum of OUD captured patients' experiences, finding better ways to address problems with DSM-5 OUD criteria, and concerns about stigma. While this expert panel disagreed about the need for a new diagnostic entity, there was an overall acknowledgement that the current implementation of DSM-5's OUD diagnosis is not meeting the needs of LTOT providers or patients. PERSPECTIVE: The DSM-5's OUD diagnosis may not adequately meet the needs of patients on LTOT for whom the harms of continued opioid therapy outweigh the benefits. Experts do not agree on how to address this problem; more work is needed to determine if a new diagnostic entity would be beneficial.

Disagreement and Uncertainty Among Experts About how to Respond to Marijuana Use in Patients on Long-term Opioids for Chronic Pain: Results of a Delphi Study.

BACKGROUND: Marijuana use is common among patients on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for chronic pain, but there is a lack of evidence to guide clinicians' response. OBJECTIVE: To generate expert consensus about responding to marijuana use among patients on LTOT. DESIGN: Analysis from an online Delphi study. SETTING/SUBJECTS: Clinician experts in pain and opioid management across the United States. METHODS: Participants generated management strategies in response to marijuana use without distinction between medical and nonmedical use, then rated the importance of each management strategy from 1 (not at all important) to 9 (extremely important). A priori rules for consensus were established, and disagreement was explored using cases. Thematic analysis of free-text responses examined factors that influenced participants' decision-making. RESULTS: Of 42 participants, 64% were internal medicine physicians. There was consensus that it is not important to taper opioids as an initial response to marijuana use. There was disagreement about the importance of tapering opioids if there is a pattern of repeated marijuana use without clinical suspicion for a cannabis use disorder (CUD) and consensus that tapering is of uncertain importance if there is suspicion for CUD. Three themes influenced experts' perceptions of the importance of tapering: 1) benefits and harms of marijuana for the individual patient, 2) a spectrum of belief about the overall riskiness of marijuana use, and 3) variable state laws or practice policies. CONCLUSIONS: Experts disagree and are uncertain about the importance of opioid tapering for patients with marijuana use. Experts were influenced by patient factors, provider beliefs, and marijuana policy, highlighting the need for further research.

The level of evidence of medical marijuana use for treating disabilities: a scoping review.

Purpose: Twenty-nine states have bypassed federal regulations by legalizing marijuana (MJ) either medicinally, recreationally or both. The FDA states that there is no empirical evidence that MJ is effective to treat these disorders. With over a billion individuals living with a disability across the globe, it is crucial to fully research the efficaciousness and safety of medical MJ to treat this population. The purpose to present the results of a scoping review of studies focused on the levels of evidence currently available on medical MJ's efficacy in treatment across a large range of disabilities.Methods: Databases were searched for research articles on the current level of evidence to support medical MJ use among people with disabilities.Results: Forty-one peer reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria. Articles focused on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, schizophrenia, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis/movement disorders, fibromyalgia, epilepsy, with some that focused on multiple disabilities.Conclusions: The level of evidence for the use of medical MJ among people with disabilities varies greatly, and has a clear lack of methodologically sound studies. Overall, medical MJ does not improve the level of functioning, but it may improve the overall quality of life for people with disabilities.Implications for RehabilitationEpilepsy can be a disabling chronic disorder which not only impacts physically but can restricts quality of life.Quality of life is diminished even more with treatment resistant epilepsy.Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability and is the most common cause of long-term disability.There is sufficient evidence that medical marijuana is effective in treating epileptic seizures and chronic pain.Medical marijuana may improve the level of functioning and quality of life for individuals with certain disabilities.

Health care workers’ recommendations for strengthening tuberculosis infection control in the Dominican Republic

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To describe health care workers’ practical recommendations for strengthening adherence to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection control practices in their health institutions and elsewhere across the Dominican Republic. Methods. In this qualitative study, 10 focus groups, with a total of 40 clinicians (24 physicians, 16 nurses), were conducted in 2016 at two tertiary-level institutions in the Dominican Republic. Grounded theory guided the analysis to expand on health care workers’ recommendations for empowering clinicians to adhere to M. tuberculosis infection control practices. To ensure reliability and validity, the authors analyzed data and incorporated both peer debriefing with qualitative experts and participant feedback or validation on the final themes. Results. Six emerging themes were described: 1) education and training; 2) administrative policy; 3) infrastructure policy; 4) economic allocations; 5) research; and 6) public health policy. Conclusions. Future efforts may combine the health care workers’ recommendations with evidence-based strategies in M. tuberculosis infection control in low-resource settings. This could pave the way for interventions that empower health care workers in their application of M. tuberculosis infection control measures in clinical practice.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Definir las recomendaciones prácticas de los trabajadores de salud para consolidar la adhesión a las prácticas de control de la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis en instituciones de salud y otros lugares de la República Dominicana. Métodos. En este estudio cualitativo, se organizaron 10 grupos de debate, con un total de 40 trabajadores clínicos (24 médicos, 16 enfermeras), en dos instituciones de nivel terciario de la República Dominicana en el 2016. El análisis para ampliar las recomendaciones de los trabajadores de salud a fin de estimular a los trabajadores clínicos a adherirse a las prácticas de control de la infección por M. tuberculosis se basó en teoría fundamentada. Para garantizar la fiabilidad y validez de los resultados, los autores analizaron los datos e incorporaron el asesoramiento sobre el diseño y el análisis del estudio a cargo de expertos cualitativos y la verificación de la información con los participantes sobre los temas finales. Resultados. Se encontraron seis temas emergentes: 1) educación y capacitación; 2) política administrativa; 3) política de infraestructura; 4) asignaciones económicas; 5) investigación; y 6) política de salud pública. Conclusiones. En iniciativas futuras para el control de la infección por M. tuberculosis en entornos de escasos recursos, se pueden combinar las recomendaciones de los trabajadores de salud con estrategias basadas en evidencia. De esta forma se podría allanar el camino para llevar a cabo intervenciones que ayuden a los trabajadores de salud a aplicar las medidas de control de la infección por M. tuberculosis en la práctica clínica.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Descrever as recomendações dos profissionais da saúde para reforçar a adesão às práticas de controle de infecção por Mycobacterium tuberculosis nas instituições de saúde e outros locais na República Dominicana. Métodos. Estudo qualitativo realizado com 10 grupos de discussão, ao todo 40 profissionais da área clínica (24 médicos, 16 enfermeiros), em duas instituições de nível terciário na República Dominicana em 2016. A análise foi baseada em teoria fundamentada para expandir as recomendações dos profissionais da saúde a fim de habilitar o pessoal da área clínica a aderir às práticas de controle da infecção por M. tuberculosis. Para assegurar a confiabilidade e a validade dos dados, os autores analisaram as informações e incluíram um processo de revisão com especialistas em pesquisa qualitativa (peer debriefing) e observações ou validação dos participantes sobre os temas finais. Resultados. Seis temas emergentes foram descritos: 1) educação e capacitação, 2) política administrativa, 3) política de infraestrutura, 4) alocações financeiras, 5) pesquisa e 6) política de saúde pública. Conclusões. Iniciativas futuras podem combinar as recomendações dos profissionais da saúde com estratégias baseadas em evidências para o controle de infecção por M. tuberculosis em locais com poucos recursos. Isso poderia abrir o caminho para intervenções que habilitam os profissionais da saúde a empregar medidas de controle de infecção por M. tuberculosis na prática clínica.

Correction to: Managing Concerning Behaviors in Patients Prescribed Opioids for Chronic Pain: a Delphi Study.

In this paper, the author degrees were presented incorrectly. The correct listing is above.

More than a job: Career development of individuals with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis and its employment corollaries have received little attention despite the fact that complications of CF represent numerous theorized barriers to optimal career outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to conduct grounded theory research that results in an understanding of the employment experiences of people with CF and ultimately a substantive grounded theory of career development applicable to individuals with this disease. METHODS: This study utilized the grounded theory method of qualitative inquiry. A purposive sample of ten young adults with CF participated in in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews. Analysis of the interview transcripts followed the constant comparative approach to coding, which identified core themes and sub-themes and culminated in a conceptual framework of variables influencing employment and career development. RESULTS: An ecologically-based grounded theory of career development was developed. Major themes that influenced employment and career development were illness appraisal, occupational compromise, persistence, and altruism. Two patterns of career development outcomes emerged - the uninterrupted and the interrupted. CONCLUSIONS: A complicated interaction of numerous ecological variables (individual characteristics, personal contextual factors, mediating factors, and the environment) collectively influenced career development. The presence of CF alone did not guarantee negative effects on career development.

Managing Concerning Behaviors in Patients Prescribed Opioids for Chronic Pain: A Delphi Study.

BACKGROUND: Current guideline-recommended monitoring of patients prescribed long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for chronic pain will likely result in increased identification of behaviors of concern for misuse and addiction, but there is a dearth of empiric evidence about how these behaviors should be managed. OBJECTIVE: To establish expert consensus about treatment approaches for common and challenging concerning behaviors that arise among patients on LTOT. DESIGN: We used a Delphi approach, which allows for generation of consensus. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were clinical experts in chronic pain and opioid prescribing recruited from professional societies and other expert groups. MAIN MEASURES: The Delphi process was conducted online, and consisted of an initial brainstorming round to identify common and challenging behaviors, a second round to identify management strategies for each behavior, and two rounds to establish consensus and explore disagreement/uncertainty. KEY RESULTS: Forty-two participants completed round 1, 22 completed round 2, 30 completed round 3, and 28 completed round 4. Half of round 1 participants were female (52%), and the majority were white (83%). Most (71%) were physicians, and most participants practiced in academic primary (40%) or specialty care (19%).The most frequently cited common and challenging behaviors were missing appointments, taking opioids for symptoms other than pain, using more opioid medication than prescribed, asking for an increase in opioid dose, aggressive behavior, and alcohol and other substance use. Across behaviors, participants agreed that patient education and information gathering were important approaches. Participants also agreed that stopping opioids is not important initially, but if initial approaches do not work, tapering opioids and stopping opioids immediately may become important approaches. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents clinical expert consensus on how to manage concerning behaviors among patients on LTOT. Future research is needed to investigate how implementing these management strategies would impact patient outcomes, practice and policy.

Applying a Social-Ecological Framework to Factors Related to Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Adolescent Smoking Cessation.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review synthesizes factors related to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use among adolescents seeking to quit smoking, using the social-ecological model as a guiding framework. DATA SOURCE: Searches of PubMED, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and ERIC were conducted in July 2016. STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Original studies of cigarette smokers younger than 18 years that discussed NRT were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers individually extracted study purpose, sample, design, and results. DATA SYNTHESIS: Factors were categorized by social-ecological model level and summarized. RESULTS: A total of 103 907 articles were identified during initial search. After narrowing to peer-reviewed articles in English and eliminating reviews and adult-only studies, we reviewed 51 articles. These 51 articles identified factors from studies at each level of the social-ecological model: intrapersonal ( k = 20), interpersonal ( k = 2), organizational ( k = 7), community ( k = 11), and public policy ( k = 14). CONCLUSION: Findings provide insight into the applicability of NRT for adolescent smoking cessation, and factors by social-ecological model level highlight areas for additional research. Future adolescent NRT studies should assess factors at the interpersonal, organizational, and community levels, as well as the interactions between levels.

Health care workers' recommendations for strengthening tuberculosis infection control in the Dominican Republic.

OBJECTIVE: To describe health care workers' practical recommendations for strengthening adherence to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection control practices in their health institutions and elsewhere across the Dominican Republic. METHODS: In this qualitative study, 10 focus groups, with a total of 40 clinicians (24 physicians, 16 nurses), were conducted in 2016 at two tertiary-level institutions in the Dominican Republic. Grounded theory guided the analysis to expand on health care workers' recommendations for empowering clinicians to adhere to M. tuberculosis infection control practices. To ensure reliability and validity, the authors analyzed data and incorporated both peer debriefing with qualitative experts and participant feedback or validation on the final themes. RESULTS: Six emerging themes were described: 1) education and training; 2) administrative policy; 3) infrastructure policy; 4) economic allocations; 5) research; and 6) public health policy. CONCLUSIONS: Future efforts may combine the health care workers' recommendations with evidence-based strategies in M. tuberculosis infection control in low-resource settings. This could pave the way for interventions that empower health care workers in their application of M. tuberculosis infection control measures in clinical practice.

Health care workers' recommendations for strengthening tuberculosis infection control in the Dominican Republic / Recomendaciones de los trabajadores de salud para fortalecer el control del contagio de la tuberculosis en la República Dominicana / Recomendações dos profissionais da saúde para reforçar o controle de infecção pelo bacilo da tuberculose na República Dominicana

ABSTRACT Objective To describe health care workers' practical recommendations for strengthening adherence to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection control practices in their health institutions and elsewhere across the Dominican Republic. Methods In this qualitative study, 10 focus groups, with a total of 40 clinicians (24 physicians, 16 nurses), were conducted in 2016 at two tertiary-level institutions in the Dominican Republic. Grounded theory guided the analysis to expand on health care workers' recommendations for empowering clinicians to adhere to M. tuberculosis infection control practices. To ensure reliability and validity, the authors analyzed data and incorporated both peer debriefing with qualitative experts and participant feedback or validation on the final themes. Results Six emerging themes were described: 1) education and training; 2) administrative policy; 3) infrastructure policy; 4) economic allocations; 5) research; and 6) public health policy. Conclusions Future efforts may combine the health care workers' recommendations with evidence-based strategies in M. tuberculosis infection control in low-resource settings. This could pave the way for interventions that empower health care workers in their application of M. tuberculosis infection control measures in clinical practice.

RESUMEN Objetivo Definir las recomendaciones prácticas de los trabajadores de salud para consolidar la adhesión a las prácticas de control de la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis en instituciones de salud y otros lugares de la República Dominicana. Métodos En este estudio cualitativo, se organizaron 10 grupos de debate, con un total de 40 trabajadores clínicos (24 médicos, 16 enfermeras), en dos instituciones de nivel terciario de la República Dominicana en el 2016. El análisis para ampliar las recomendaciones de los trabajadores de salud a fin de estimular a los trabajadores clínicos a adherirse a las prácticas de control de la infección por M. tuberculosis se basó en teoría fundamentada. Para garantizar la fiabilidad y validez de los resultados, los autores analizaron los datos e incorporaron el asesoramiento sobre el diseño y el análisis del estudio a cargo de expertos cualitativos y la verificación de la información con los participantes sobre los temas finales. Resultados Se encontraron seis temas emergentes: 1) educación y capacitación; 2) política administrativa; 3) política de infraestructura; 4) asignaciones económicas; 5) investigación; y 6) política de salud pública. Conclusiones En iniciativas futuras para el control de la infección por M. tuberculosis en entornos de escasos recursos, se pueden combinar las recomendaciones de los trabajadores de salud con estrategias basadas en evidencia. De esta forma se podría allanar el camino para llevar a cabo intervenciones que ayuden a los trabajadores de salud a aplicar las medidas de control de la infección por M. tuberculosis en la práctica clínica.

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever as recomendações dos profissionais da saúde para reforçar a adesão às práticas de controle de infecção por Mycobacterium tuberculosis nas instituições de saúde e outros locais na República Dominicana. Métodos Estudo qualitativo realizado com 10 grupos de discussão, ao todo 40 profissionais da área clínica (24 médicos, 16 enfermeiros), em duas instituições de nível terciário na República Dominicana em 2016. A análise foi baseada em teoria fundamentada para expandir as recomendações dos profissionais da saúde a fim de habilitar o pessoal da área clínica a aderir às práticas de controle da infecção por M. tuberculosis. Para assegurar a confiabilidade e a validade dos dados, os autores analisaram as informações e incluíram um processo de revisão com especialistas em pesquisa qualitativa (peer debriefing) e observações ou validação dos participantes sobre os temas finais. Resultados Seis temas emergentes foram descritos: 1) educação e capacitação, 2) política administrativa, 3) política de infraestrutura, 4) alocações financeiras, 5) pesquisa e 6) política de saúde pública. Conclusões Iniciativas futuras podem combinar as recomendações dos profissionais da saúde com estratégias baseadas em evidências para o controle de infecção por M. tuberculosis em locais com poucos recursos. Isso poderia abrir o caminho para intervenções que habilitam os profissionais da saúde a empregar medidas de controle de infecção por M. tuberculosis na prática clínica.

Development of an Index of Engagement in HIV Care: An Adapted Internet-Based Delphi Process.

BACKGROUND: Improving engagement in medical care among persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is critical to optimizing clinical outcomes and reducing onward transmission of HIV. However, a clear conceptualization of what it means to be engaged in HIV care is lacking, and thus efforts to measure and enhance engagement in care are limited. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes the use of a modified online Delphi process of consensus building to solicit input from a range of HIV and non-HIV researchers and providers, and to integrate that input with focus group data conducted with HIV-infected patients. The overarching goal was to generate items for a patient-centered measure of engagement in HIV care for use in future research and clinical practice. METHODS: We recruited 66 expert panelists from around the United States. Starting with six open-ended questions, we used four rounds of online Delphi data collection in tandem with 12 in-person focus groups with patients and cognitive interviews with 25 patients. RESULTS: We recruited 66 expert panelists from around the United States and 64 (97%) were retained for four rounds of data collection. Starting with six open-ended questions, we used four rounds of online Delphi data collection in tandem with 12 in-person focus groups with patients and cognitive interviews with 25 patients. The process resulted in an expansion to 120 topics that were subsequently reduced to 13 candidate items for the planned assessment measure. CONCLUSIONS: The process was an efficient method of soliciting input from geographically separated and busy experts across a range of disciplines and professional roles with the aim of arriving at a coherent definition of engagement in HIV care and a manageable set of survey items to assess it. Next steps are to validate the utility of the new measure in predicting retention in care, adherence to treatment, and clinical outcomes among patients living with HIV.

The Role of Powerlessness Among Health Care Workers in Tuberculosis Infection Control.

Due to their occupational exposure in health care settings, health care workers (HCW) have increased risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. They face challenges to remain up-to-date with evidence-based clinical practices and translate educational information into actions in infection control practices. Our purpose was to examine this "knowledge-action" gap about how HCWs understand their occupational M. tuberculosis risk and use recommended infection control measures in clinical practices in the Dominican Republic (DR). We conducted 10 focus groups with 40 physicians and nurses at two tertiary-level DR institutions. Using grounded theory methods, we developed a theoretical model to describe the decision-making process related to adherence to M. tuberculosis infection control measures in clinical practice. Findings highlight intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influenced the observed knowledge-action gap related to M. tuberculosis infection control practices in two DR health institutions.

Perceived Barriers to Adherence to Tuberculosis Infection Control Measures among Health Care Workers in the Dominican Republic.

INTRODUCTION Health care workers have an increased risk of infection due to occupational Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure, including multidrug-resistant strains. Health care workers' risk of developing tuberculosis is greater than that of the general population, whether in low-, intermediate- or high-incidence countries. Adherence to infection control measures (administrative controls, environmental controls, and personal respiratory protection) is essential to reduce risk of disease transmission between suspected tuberculosis patients and health care workers, but for different reasons, both objective and subjective, adherence is low. Identifying the causes of low adherence is a prerequisite to effective programming to reduce risk. OBJECTIVE Identify perceived barriers to adherence to tuberculosis infection control measures among health care workers in the Dominican Republic. METHODS During August 2014, a qualitative study was conducted in two tertiary-level hospitals in different regions of the Dominican Republic. A semi-structured interview guide of nine questions was developed, based on the scientific literature and with consensus of clinical experts. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of seven physicians (five men, two women) and two baccalaureate nurses (both women) working in the emergency medicine, internal medicine or nursing departments of those institutions. Question topics included clinical experience of M. tuberculosis infection and disease; knowledge of disease transmission and preventive practices; clinical management strategies; and perceptions of effectiveness of directly observed treatment, short-course, and disease coping strategies. RESULTS Perceived barriers were described as: 1) sense of invincibility of health care workers; 2) personal beliefs of health care workers related to direct patient communication; 3) low provider-to-patient ratios in hospitals; 4) absence of tuberculosis isolation units for patients within hospitals; and 5) limited availability of protective masks for health care workers. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight that perceived barriers at the individual or institutional level may hinder how health care workers understand and comply with preventive strategies to reduce risk of tuberculosis transmission. Addressing these barriers by strengthening infection control program infrastructure and implementing educational interventions within institutions may reduce risk of nosocomial tuberculosis transmission to health care workers. KEYWORDS Health care providers, infection control, infectious disease transmission, health care associated infection, nosocomial infection, Mycobacterium tuberculosis occupational exposure, occupational health, qualitative research, tuberculosis, Dominican Republic.

Skin Cancer Risk and Other Health Risk Behaviors: A Scoping Review.

Purpose. To present results of a scoping review focused on skin cancer risk behaviors and other related health risk behaviors. Skin cancer is highly preventable, yet it is the most common form of cancer in the United States with melanoma rates increasing. Limited research has been conducted examining the relationship between skin cancer prevention behaviors and other health risks, yet multiple behavioral health risk interventions have shown great promise for health promotion and reduced health care costs. Methods. Online databases were searched for research articles on skin cancer risk behaviors and related health risk behaviors. Results. Thirty-seven articles met inclusion criteria examining skin cancer behaviors including risk, sun protection behaviors, sunburn, and indoor tanning. The majority of existing studies focused on the relationship between skin cancer prevention behaviors and physical activity, body mass index, smoking, and alcohol abuse. Adults were the primary population of interest with some studies of adolescents. Conclusions. Poor skin cancer prevention behaviors were associated with alcohol use, marijuana use, and smoking among adolescents and adults. Studies on body mass index and physical activity had mixed relationships with skin cancer prevention behaviors and warrant further investigation. Indoor tanning was associated with other risky behaviors but other skin cancer prevention behaviors were not studied.

Income differences in social control of eating behaviors and food choice priorities among southern rural women in the US: A qualitative study.

The role of social influences on rural women's food choice is not well understood. Rural adults experience high rates of obesity and poor diet quality prompting exploration of how social factors influence food choice in this population. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 women in rural North Central Florida. Women were purposively sampled and stratified by race and income. Lower income was defined as household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Women at or below 185% poverty level (BPL) experienced direct social control of their eating behaviors, which occurred when social network members explicitly regulated or otherwise sanctioned eating behaviors or food choices. Women above 185% of the federal poverty level (APL) internalized social norms and self-regulated their eating behaviors to maintain healthy habits. APL women described choosing foods for health reasons whereas BPL women offered a variety of reasons including taste, convenience, family history, price, health, and routine. Findings suggest that women in different income groups have different social influences working to help them regulate eating behaviors as well as diverse priorities influencing their food choices. Future interventions to promote healthy eating may be more effective by incorporating social network members and framing intervention messages so they are consistent with priorities.

Cultural variation in antismoking video ads between the United States, Taiwan, and China.

Antitobacco advertisement components, including types of messages and advertising appeals, have not been evaluated among multinational groups. This study identified and compared the content of antismoking video ads across three countries. We reviewed 86 antismoking video advertisements for the following information: severity of the consequences of smoking, types of risks, appeals to audiences' self-efficacy, benefits of not smoking, targeted social-ecological level and types of message appeal used. Two researchers independently coded each advertisement with an average inter-coder reliability of 0.79.Analyses showed a variety of focuses: smoking-related health risks (86%), severe consequences of smoking (54.7%), self-efficacy beliefs (40.7%) and benefits of not smoking (84.9%). Compared to the United States and Taiwanese ads, Chinese ads were more likely to target at the community level (10% versus 23.3% versus 47.2%). Additionally, 55% of the United States ads used the fear approach, whereas 61.1% of Chinese ads used the social approach. Taiwanese ads were evenly distributed among both approaches. In conclusion, the countries used different targeting strategies and approaches during message delivery. Although China's neighboring country, Taiwan, has many similar cultural aspects, including the same language, they are greatly influenced by US antitobacco campaigns. As a result, Taiwan's tobacco campaigns appear to have similar components to both China and the United States. Further research is warranted to understand the reasons for each method and to examine the effectiveness of the ads in reducing smoking rates.