Nurses' knowledge, attitude and practice regarding non-pharmacologic interventions for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses regarding non-pharmacologic therapies for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). METHODS: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study enrolled nurses at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Beijing, China) between September 2022 and October 2022. Correlations between knowledge, attitude and practice scores were evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis. Factors associated with knowledge, attitude and practice scores were identified by multivariable linear regression. Based on a cross-sectional questionnaire survey, this study designed a questionnaire according to the Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia in China, and randomly selected nurses from Peking Union Medical College Hospital to fill in the questions through the Wen-Juan-Xing online platform from September 2022 to October 2022. RESULTS: The analysis included 210 nurses (202 females). The average knowledge, attitude and practice scores were 11.06±2.61 (total score: 18), 53.51±5.81 (total score: 60) and 64.66 ± 10.35 (total score: 80) points, respectively. Knowledge score was positively correlated with attitude score (r = 0.416, P < 0.001) and practice score (r = 0.389, P < 0.001); attitude and practice scores were also positively correlated (r = 0.627, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that age ≥ 40 years-old (vs. ≤30 years-old) was associated with higher knowledge score (ß = 1.48, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 0.42-2.54, P = 0.006). Age ≥ 40 years-old (ß = 1.43, 95%CI = 0.35-2.51, P = 0.010 vs. ≤30 years-old) and bachelor's degree or higher (ß = 1.11, 95%CI = 0.12-2.10, P = 0.028 vs. college degree or lower) were associated with higher practice score. CONCLUSIONS: Older age and higher education level were associated with higher knowledge, attitude and/or practice scores. The findings of this study may help guide the development and implementation of education and training programs to improve the management of BPSD by nurses in China.

Impact of an educational video in improving awareness of eye donation among non-medical health care workers in a tertiary health centre.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of an educational video in improving awareness of eye donation among non-medical healthcare workers at a tertiary health centre. METHODS: A socio-behavioural study on knowledge and attitude towards eye donation was conducted among 373 non-medical healthcare workers through a printed semi-structured questionnaire before and after viewing a bilingual educational video. The responses were evaluated and scored. RESULTS: Pre-intervention, only 5.4% of the participants had adequate knowledge, which improved significantly to 71.6% after watching the video (P < .001). Respondents with elementary school education showed the greatest change in knowledge. Pre-intervention, 72.4% were willing to donate their eyes, which significantly increased to 89.5% after watching the video. Pre-intervention, 66.22% showed a "highly favourable" attitude, which improved to 97.86% after watching the video. CONCLUSION: The 25 min video about eye donation and eye banking significantly changed the participants' knowledge, willingness, and attitude. Hence, media-based (video) awareness platforms may be valuable for improving the general public's knowledge and attitude towards eye donation. This may help in enhancing the eye donation rate in the long term.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards urinary system stones among the Chengdu population.

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding urinary system stones among the general public in Chengdu, China. Conducted between January and June 2023, this research targeted individuals undergoing physical examinations at the Health Management Center of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital. Structured questionnaires were administered to collect demographic information and assess KAP related to urinary system stones. Following meticulous scrutiny, 1014 valid questionnaires were retained for analysis. The computed scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 9.36 ± 4.23 (possible score range 0-17), 37.75 ± 7.20 (possible score range 11-55), and 30.77 ± 4.00 (possible score range 10-50), respectively. These outcomes suggested insufficient knowledge and moderately positive attitudes and practices among the participants. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis revealed a direct impact of knowledge on attitude (ß = 0.967, P < 0.001), with attitude subsequently exerting a direct influence on practice (ß = 0.167, P < 0.001). This indicated an indirect impact of knowledge on practice. Additionally, there was a direct effect of knowledge on practice (ß = 0.167, P < 0.001). In conclusion, the general populace in Chengdu exhibited insufficient knowledge and moderate attitudes and practices concerning urinary stones. These findings underscore the imperative for targeted educational interventions aimed at enhancing public awareness and fostering positive attitudes and practices toward urinary stone prevention and management.

Screening and prevention of preterm birth: how is it done in clinical practice?

Objective: To ascertain how screening for preterm birth is performed among obstetricians working in public and private practice in a middle-income country. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 265 obstetrician-gynecologists employed at public and private facilities. An online questionnaire was administered, with items designed to collect data on prematurity screening and prevention practices. Results: The mean age of respondents was 44.5 years; 78.5% were female, and 97.7% had completed a medical residency program. Universal screening (i.e., by ultrasound measurement of cervical length) was carried out by only 11.3% of respondents in public practice; 43% request transvaginal ultrasound if the manual exam is abnormal, and 74.6% request it in pregnant women with risk factors for preterm birth. Conversely, 60.7% of respondents in private practice performed universal screening. This difference in screening practices between public and private practice was highly significant (p < 0.001). Nearly all respondents (90.6%) reported prescribing vaginal progesterone for short cervix. Conclusion: In the setting of this study, universal ultrasound screening to prevent preterm birth was used by just over half of doctors in private practice. In public facilities, screening was even less common. Use of vaginal progesterone in cervical shortening was highly prevalent. There is an unmet need for formal protocols for screening and prevention of preterm birth in middle-income settings.

Qualitative study on information, trust in and access to COVID-19 vaccines among adolescents at a healthcare center in Buenos Aires. / Estudio cualitativo sobre información, confianza y acceso a la vacunación contra COVID-19 en adolescentes en un centro de salud de Buenos Aires.

Introduction. During adolescence, individuals start to make autonomous decisions about their health. Vaccination involves contextual, group, and vaccine-specific dimensions. We sought to know the information, trust, and decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among adolescents who attended a healthcare center in Buenos Aires. Objectives. To identify settings and channels through which adolescents accessed information about the COVID-19 vaccine at a healthcare center in Buenos Aires. To describe their opinions about the different statements on vaccination. To describe their participation in COVID-19 vaccination. To identify barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 vaccination in this population. Population and methods. Qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews with adolescents who attended this healthcare facility. The sample was heterogeneous; the sample size was estimated by theoretical saturation. A thematic analysis of data was done. Results. A total of 14 interviews were conducted. Interviewees obtained information about the COVID-19 vaccine from their families, TV, and social media. All received information from both official campaigns and anti-vaccine communications. They analyzed the information they received and formed their own opinion. Their decision about the vaccine was not always respected. Hesitancy, a low perception of risk, fear of needles, administrative and geographic barriers were reasons for not receiving the vaccine. Conclusions. Communication strategies targeted at adolescents are required that encourage their involvement in access to vaccination.

Introducción. En la adolescencia, se comienzan a tomar decisiones autónomas sobre la salud. En la vacunación intervienen dimensiones contextuales, grupales y relativas a cada vacuna. Se busca conocer el proceso de información, confianza y decisión de vacunarse contra COVID-19 en adolescentes usuarios de un centro de salud en Buenos Aires. Objetivos. Identificar ámbitos y canales a través de los cuales los adolescentes accedieron a información sobre la vacuna contra COVID-19 en un centro de salud de Buenos Aires. Describir sus opiniones respecto a los distintos discursos sobre vacunación. Describir su participación en la vacunación contra COVID-19. Identificar barreras y facilitadores respecto del acceso a la vacunación contra COVID-19 en esta población. Población y métodos. Investigación cualitativa. Se hicieron entrevistas semiestructuradas a adolescentes usuarios del efector. La muestra fue heterogénea; su tamaño se definió por saturación teórica. Se realizó un análisis temático de los datos. Resultados. Se realizaron 14 entrevistas. Los entrevistados recibieron información sobre la vacuna contra COVID-19 de sus familias, la televisión y las redes sociales. Todos recibieron tanto publicidad oficial como discursos reticentes a la vacunación. Analizaron la información recibida y formaron opinión autónoma. Su decisión sobre vacunarse no siempre fue respetada. La desconfianza, la baja percepción del riesgo, el temor a las inyecciones, las barreras administrativas y geográficas fueron motivos de no vacunación. Conclusiones. Se requieren estrategias de comunicación destinadas a adolescentes que promuevan su participación en el acceso a la vacunación.

Práticas de cuidado e necessidades de saúde de homens em atenção domiciliar / Care practices and health needs of men in home care / Prácticas de cuidado y necesidades de salud de los hombres en el cuidado domiciliario

Objetivo: Analisar as práticas de cuidado desenvolvidas para atender às necessidades de saúde de homens em atenção domiciliar. Métodos: Pesquisa observacional e qualitativa, realizada com 34 cuidadores e 24 homens assistidos pelo serviço de atenção domiciliar do município de João Pessoa. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de um roteiro com variáveis sociodemográficas e perguntas abertas. A Análise Crítica do Discurso foi utilizada como método de análise, com destaque para os significados representacional e identificacional dos discursos. Resultados: As práticas de cuidado e necessidades de saúde foram apontadas com base na relação hegemônica entre os atores do cuidado, associação do cuidado ao processo de trabalho informal, atuação da família, da atividade corresponsabilizada, e prática da autonomia e autocuidado. Conclusão: Evidenciou-se um cuidado multifacetado e executado por diversos atores com suporte de equipes multiprofissionais de atenção domiciliar. (AU)

Objective: To analyze the care practices developed to meet the health needs of men in home care. Methods: Observational and qualitative research, carried out with 34 caregivers and 24 men assisted by the home care service in the city of João Pessoa. Data collection was performed through a script with sociodemographic variables and open questions. Critical Discourse Analysis was used as a method of analysis, with emphasis on the representational and identificational meanings of the discourses. The research was approved according to the opinion number 1.829.326. Results: Care practices and health needs were identified based on the hegemonic relationship between the care actors, association of care with the informal work process, family activities and co-responsibility activities, and the practice of autonomy and self-care. Conclusion: There was evidence of a multifaceted care performed by different subjects with the support of multidisciplinary home care teams. (AU)

Objetivo: Analizar las prácticas asistenciales desarrolladas para satisfacer las necesidades de salud de los hombres en la atención domiciliaria. Métodos: Investigación observacional y cualitativa, realizada con 34 cuidadores y 24 hombres asistidos por el servicio de atención domiciliaria en la ciudad de João Pessoa. La recolección de datos se realizó mediante un guión con variables sociodemográficas y preguntas abiertas. Se utilizó el Análisis Crítico del Discurso como método de análisis, con énfasis en los significados representativos e identificativos de los discursos. La investigación fue aprobada de acuerdo al dictamen número 1.829.326. Resultados: Se identificaron prácticas de cuidado y necesidades de salud a partir de la relación hegemónica entre los actores del cuidado, la asociación del cuidado con el proceso de trabajo informal, las actividades familiares y de corresponsabilidad, y la práctica de la autonomía y el autocuidado. Conclusión: Se evidenció una atención multifacética realizada por diferentes sujetos con el apoyo de equipos multidisciplinares de atención domiciliaria. (AU)

Effectiveness of interventions to enhance shared decision-making in wound care: A systematic review.

AIMS: To explore the effectiveness of interventions to enhance patient participation in shared decision-making in wound care and tissue viability. BACKGROUND: Caring for people living with a wound is complex due to interaction between wound healing, symptoms, psychological wellbeing and treatment effectiveness. To respond to this complexity, there has been recent emphasis on the importance of delivering patient centred wound care and shared decision-making to personalise health care. However, little is known about the effectiveness of existing interventions to support shared decision-making in wound care. DESIGN: Systematic review of interventional studies to enhance shared decision-making in wound care or tissue viability. This was reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines 2020. METHODS: Interventional primary research studies published in English up to January 2023 were included. Screening, data extraction and quality appraisal were undertaken independently by two authors. DATA SOURCES: Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails (trials database), CINAHL, British Nursing Index (BNI), WorldCat (thesis database), Scopus and registries of ongoing studies (ISRCTN registry and clinicaltrials.gov). RESULTS: 1063 abstracts were screened, and eight full-text studies included. Findings indicate, interventions to support shared decision-making are positively received. Goal or need setting components may assist knowledge transfer between patient and clinician, and could lower short term decisional conflict. However, generally findings within this study had very low certainty due to the inconsistencies in outcomes reported, and the variation and complexity of single and multiple interventions used. CONCLUSIONS: Future research on shared decision-making interventions in wound care should include the involvement of stakeholders and programme theory to underpin the interventions developed to consider the complexity of interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND PATIENT CARE: Patients setting out their needs or goals and exploring patient questions are important and should be considered in clinical care. REGISTRATION: The review protocol was prospectively registered (PROSPERO database: CRD42023389820). NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Not applicable as this is a systematic review.

[Nutrition counseling in medical practices-a cross-sectional study]. / Ernährungsberatung in ärztlichen Praxen verschiedener Fachrichtungen ­ eine Querschnittsstudie.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess the status of nutrition care and counseling in German medical practices, including physicians' nutrition interest and knowledge, existing obstacles, and possible ways of improving nutrition care. METHODS: After development and a two-stage pretest, questionnaires with 32 items were distributed to all resident doctors of general medicine, internal medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, orthopedics, and occupational medicine in Aachen (n = 360) in early spring 2022. RESULTS: The response rate was 29.2% and n = 105 participants were included in the analysis. During their consultation hours, 85.7% of the doctors conducted nutrition counseling (NC). While doctors estimated that 39.5% of their patients need NC, they counseled only 28.1%. General practitioners spent an average of 13 min on NC; all other specialties spent 9.5 min. Most participants felt well informed about healthy nutrition (95.2%). Nutrition was of high personal interest to 57.7% of the participants, and 47.6% considered it important for their work as a doctor. Barriers preventing better NC included the lack of nutrition education during medical studies (89.5%) and specialist training (79.6%), and the lack of time (75.2%). Most participants were willing to conduct more NC if they were paid better and had more time for NC during their working hours. DISCUSSION: Doctors consider NC a relevant part of their work, despite many barriers. To make better use of NC as a measure for treating and preventing common diseases, improvements like better nutrition education for doctors, better funding, and more time for NC are required.

Knowledge and attitude on childhood cancer survivorship among healthcare trainees: a multicentre study from India.

BACKGROUND: The proportion of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) in low/middle-income countries (LMICs) is rising. CCS often develop several physical and psycho-social long-term adverse effects, with unique healthcare needs. Primary healthcare providers (primary care physicians (PCPs)), especially in LMICs, are often not equipped to handle survivorship care. This study aimed to assess knowledge, and attitude among trainee healthcare providers concerning major issues of paediatric survivorship care. METHODS: A multi-centre, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among nursing and medical undergraduate students, and postgraduate medical residents across three tertiary-care teaching hospitals in India-All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry; and Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. A questionnaire with total of 24 questions (14 knowledge-based and 10 attitude-based) was finalised after validation by expert review and piloting. The major domains covered in the questionnaire included knowledge and attitude regarding long-term adverse effects and psychosocial, employment-related issues faced by the survivors. It was administered to the study participants electronically. The knowledge-based questions had true/false responses (scored as 0 or 1 if incorrect or correct, respectively). Attitude-based questions were scored as 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Total 898 responses were collected (median age: 21 years, 64% (576/898) female). Among the respondents, 44% were undergraduate medical students, 42% were nursing students and 14% were postgraduate medical residents. The mean (SD) of knowledge score was 8.72 (2.04) (out of 14). On multivariable analysis, only discipline of training predicted knowledge scores regarding survivorship care. Postgraduate medical residents (9.08) as well as undergraduate medical students (8.85), had significantly higher mean knowledge scores than nursing students (8.47) (p=0.004).Two questions were answered incorrectly by the majority; children and siblings of CCS need additional genetic screening (79% incorrectly answered true), and CCS face intimacy issues in relation to normal sexual functioning (59% incorrectly answered false).Nearly half (48%) of respondents believed that their knowledge of cancer survivorship issues was inadequate. Majority of respondents (84%) suggested that oncologists should handle long-term survivorship care rather than PCPs. CONCLUSION: Trainee healthcare providers in India reported inadequate knowledge regarding survivorship care. Improving awareness by incorporating survivorship in teaching curriculum is imperative to equip future PCPs to provide survivorship care across the country.

The power of us: breaking barriers and bridging the gap of ultrasound in rheumatology to empower a new generation.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) knowledge, attitudes, and practices among young rheumatologists in Mexico, aiming to identify barriers and facilitators to its clinical use. METHODS: An online survey distributed to a network of young rheumatologists captured demographics, institutional, and personal MSUS information. Multivariable analysis identified factors associated with positive MSUS attitudes. RESULTS: Ninety-six rheumatologists (39.18% national response rate) completed the survey. Of respondents (54.2% females, median age 35.1 years), 81.2% deemed MSUS necessary in clinical rheumatology. The main barriers included limited training access (56.2%) and required training time (54.1%). Lack of scientific evidence was not a major barrier (60.4%). Positive MSUS attitudes were associated with learning from conferences (p = 0.029) and colleagues (p = 0.005), formal (p = 0.043), and in-person training (p = 0.020), MSUS use in practice (p = 0.027), and use by radiologists in their institute (p < 0.001). Interest in learning MSUS (88.5%) was significantly higher in those with positive attitudes (94.4%, p < 0.001). Elastic net analysis identified key drivers, including learning MSUS from conferences, colleagues, and in residency; using MSUS in practice; respondent-performed MSUS; and MSUS use by radiologists. Statistically significant associations were found with using MSUS for synovitis/inflammatory joint disease (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.00-2.05) and MSUS use by radiologists in respondent's institutes (OR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.20-2.90). CONCLUSION: Most young rheumatologists in Mexico recognize the necessity of MSUS in clinical practice. By addressing identified barriers, encouraging rheumatologist-radiologist collaboration, and establishing a regulatory body to certify rheumatologist's MSUS experience, there is an opportunity to empower them with the necessary skills for effective MSUS use, ultimately benefiting patient care.

Storylines of family medicine XI: professional identity formation-nurturing one's own story.

Storylines of Family Medicine is a 12-part series of thematically linked mini-essays with accompanying illustrations that explore the many dimensions of family medicine, as interpreted by individual family physicians and medical educators in the USA and elsewhere around the world. In 'XI: professional identity formation-nurturing one's own story', authors address the following themes: 'The social construction of professional identity', 'On becoming a family physician', 'What's on the test?-professionalism for family physicians', 'The ugly doc-ling', 'Teachers-the essence of who we are', 'Family medicine research-it starts in the clinic', 'Socially accountability in medical education', 'Personal philosophy and how to find it' and 'Teaching and learning with Storylines of Family Medicine'. May these essays encourage readers to find their own creative spark in medicine.

Storylines of family medicine IV: perspectives on practice-lenses of appreciation.

Storylines of Family Medicine is a 12-part series of thematically linked mini-essays with accompanying illustrations that explore the many dimensions of family medicine, as interpreted by individual family physicians and medical educators in the USA and elsewhere around the world. In 'IV: perspectives on practice-lenses of appreciation', authors address the following themes: 'Relational connections in the doctor-patient partnership', 'Feminism and family medicine', 'Positive family medicine', 'Mindful practice', 'The new, old ethics of family medicine', 'Public health, prevention and populations', 'Information mastery in family medicine' and 'Clinical courage.' May readers nurture their curiosity through these essays.

Storylines of family medicine V: ways of thinking-honing the therapeutic self.

Storylines of Family Medicine is a 12-part series of thematically linked essays with accompanying illustrations that explore the many dimensions of family medicine, as interpreted by individual family physicians and medical educators in the USA and elsewhere around the world. In 'V: ways of thinking-honing the therapeutic self', authors present the following sections: 'Reflective practice in action', 'The doctor as drug-Balint groups', 'Cultivating compassion', 'Towards a humanistic approach to doctoring', 'Intimacy in family medicine', 'The many faces of suffering', 'Transcending suffering' and 'The power of listening to stories.' May readers feel a deeper sense of their own therapeutic agency by reflecting on these essays.

Preschool children's asthma medication: parental knowledge, attitudes, practices, and adherence.

Introduction: As parents or legal guardians primarily care for children with asthma, understanding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) barriers to treatment and medication adherence is of essential importance. This study aimed to analyze the KAP toward asthma medication and adherence among preschool-aged asthmatic children's parents and explore the factors influencing adherence. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2023 and April 2023. Parents of preschool children with asthma were asked to complete the questionnaire containing knowledge, attitude, practice dimensions, and demographic characteristics. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) was used to investigate adherence. Results: A total of 632 valid questionnaires (154 male and 478 female) were included. Parents showed moderate knowledge (9.49 ± 2.86, 63.27%, possible range: 0-15) and moderate attitudes (26.18 ± 2.51, 74.80%, possible range: 7-35) towards asthma medication, while their practices (27.46 ± 5.26, 91.53%, possible range: 6-30) were proactive; however, medication adherence was low (4.84 ± 1.78, total score: 8). The attitude scores (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01-1.19, P=0.020), practice scores (OR = 1.16, 95%CI: 1.12-1.21, p < 0.001), and smoking (OR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.14-2.37, p = 0.008) were associated with medication adherence. Discussion: Preschool-aged asthmatic children's parents showed moderate knowledge, attitudes, and proactive practice toward asthma medication. Continuous training and education programs should be provided for parents to improve asthma medication management in preschool children.

Change in parental knowledge and beliefs about early childhood dental caries following a pragmatic community-based trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate parent knowledge and belief changes following the MySmileBuddy (MSB) early childhood caries (ECC) intervention. METHODS: Pre- and post-intervention surveys were completed by 669 parents of children with visually-evident ECC from among 977 participants in a 6-12-month pragmatic community-based caries management trial administered by community health workers (CHWs). Six domains of knowledge about caries and motivating and facilitating determinants were assessed via 26 survey items. Principal components analysis and reliability testing reduced dataset dimensionality. Parent and CHW characteristics were analyzed as potential moderators. Paired T-tests measured pre-to-post-intervention changes. Generalized estimating equations accounted for within-participant correlation with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Twenty items consolidated into five factors (saliva, hygiene, diet, seriousness/susceptibility, and outcome expectations). Six additional items were evaluated individually. Positive post-intervention changes (p < 0.0001) were observed across all factors and all but one individual item (tooth decay is very common). Greatest knowledge increases related to caries as a bacterial disease in two measures, the saliva factor and a single caries belief item tooth decay is an infectious disease (0.59 unit increase, 95% CI [0.55, 0.64] and 0.46 unit increase, 95% CI [0.4, 0.51], respectively), and in the value of fluoridated water over bottled (0.46 unit increase, 95% CI [0.39-0.53]). Most parents improved knowledge of ECC salivary (72%) and dietary risks (57%), and preventative hygiene behaviors (59%). CONCLUSIONS: MSB enhanced knowledge and beliefs about caries and confirmed hypothesized mediators of behavior change among parents of high-risk children. Engaging peer-like CHW interventionists may have moderated intervention effects, warranting further exploration.

Understanding and Practices of Oral Hygiene in the Intensive Care Units: Perspectives of Medical Staff at Two University Hospital Centers.

Objective: This study assesses the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of medical staff in intensive care units (ICUs) regarding oral hygiene care for critically ill, bedridden patients. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study included 65 employees from the Intensive Care Units of the Sestre Milosrdnice Clinical Hospital Centre (CHC SM) and the Clinic for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care at the University Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb (CHC ZG). A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, methods, frequency, and attitudes towards oral care for mechanically ventilated patients. The data were examined through descriptive statistical methods, presented in terms of proportions (percentages). For the purpose of comparing the feedback across the two hospital centers and different educational backgrounds, the Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were employed. Results: Results of a survey of 65 participants (18 from CHC SM and 47 from CHC ZG) revealed a notable disparity in oral hygiene knowledge, with graduate nurses displaying the highest proportion of adequate knowledge (100%) and regular nurses showing the least (30.3%) (p<.001). Although the execution of oral care practices did not vary significantly among the groups, graduate nurses performed oral care more frequently (80% vs. baccalaureate technicians 33.33% and nurses 57.6%, three or more times a day) and demonstrated better proficiency in both mechanical (p=.005) and chemical (p<.001) biofilm management compared to their counterparts. No significant difference was observed in the delivery of oral care to orotracheally intubated patients across different educational levels (p=.127). However, a marked difference was noted in the perception of being adequately trained for such care, with nurses feeling less prepared (12.1%, p<.001). Despite these variances, all respondents recognized the importance of oral hygiene, thus showing a strong dedication to oral health care. Conclusions: This study highlights variability in ICU oral hygiene practices and points to the importance of standardized care protocols and improved training for healthcare staff.

Implications of conscious AI in primary healthcare.

The conversation about consciousness of artificial intelligence (AI) is an ongoing topic since 1950s. Despite the numerous applications of AI identified in healthcare and primary healthcare, little is known about how a conscious AI would reshape its use in this domain. While there is a wide range of ideas as to whether AI can or cannot possess consciousness, a prevailing theme in all arguments is uncertainty. Given this uncertainty and the high stakes associated with the use of AI in primary healthcare, it is imperative to be prepared for all scenarios including conscious AI systems being used for medical diagnosis, shared decision-making and resource management in the future. This commentary serves as an overview of some of the pertinent evidence supporting the use of AI in primary healthcare and proposes ideas as to how consciousnesses of AI can support or further complicate these applications. Given the scarcity of evidence on the association between consciousness of AI and its current state of use in primary healthcare, our commentary identifies some directions for future research in this area including assessing patients', healthcare workers' and policy-makers' attitudes towards consciousness of AI systems in primary healthcare settings.

Personalized Approach in the Management of Difficult-to-Treat and Treatment-Resistant Depression With Second-Generation Antipsychotics: A Delphi Statement.

Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) has many facets including mixed or atypical depression that requires personalized care to improve treatment-related outcomes. Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) offer complementary mechanisms for clinical roles in difficult-to-treat depression and treatment-resistant depression cases. Aim/objective To further delineate a consensus on the clinical positioning of SGAs for MDD, mixed, or atypical depression, a Knowledge Attitude Perception (KAP)-mediated Delphi Statement was planned. Material/methods A literature review for the definition, diagnosis, and management of MDD, mixed, and atypical depression as treatment-resistant depression (TRD) or difficult-to-treat depression (DTD) was conducted by a steering committee of academic and clinical experts (n=6) while developing a validated KAP questionnaire. Scientific statements as clinical recommendations were evolved using the Delphi methodology before building a clinical expert consensus with an online survey (n=24). Results Twenty-four psychiatrists highlighted DTD to offer a multidimensional approach to assess treatment strategies involving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or SGAs, while ensuring symptom, functional, and quality of life (QoL) domain improvement for improved outcomes and remission rates. MDD cases with anxiety, anhedonia, comorbidities, and risk traits require personalized care with early induction of SGAs for severe cases or symptom persisters with functional impairment. Early augmentation with SGAs including aripiprazole or cariprazine can provide a favorable risk-benefit profile for clinical cases of MDD with or without the antecedent of mixed depression or personality disorder.  Conclusion The literature review and KAP responses emphasize the importance of early identification for personalized care strategies with SGAs for DTD. Large-scale real-world evidence needs to evolve with due recognition of different phenotypes as TRD or DTD with partial or functional impairment to understand the impact of appropriate treatment pathways with SGAs.

Sexual health clinic attendees' views on antibiotic post-exposure prophylaxis and vaccinations for sexually transmitted infections prevention: A qualitative study.

Background: The rising prevalence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is cause for concern in the context of antimicrobial resistance and the potential health outcomes of untreated infections. Objective: The Community Awareness and Surveillance of Transmission (CAST) study sought sexual health service users' views on reducing the prevalence of STIs. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with sexual health clinic attendees who had received a diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis in the previous six months. Participant comments relating to antibiotic post-exposure prophylaxis (APEP) and vaccination were inductively coded, then compared using comparative qualitative data analysis methods described by Miles and Huberman. Findings: Twenty-one participants with differing genders, ages, nationalities and sexual orientations, were interviewed. Participants across informant groups expressed concerns about APEP for STI prevention because of potential antimicrobial resistance and personal health impacts. Vaccination against bacterial STIs was more acceptable. Common factors mentioned in relation to both interventions included perception of individual STI risk over time, safety, effectiveness and accessibility. Conclusions: The views of sexual health service users support efforts to find alternatives to more frequent use of antibiotics, such as vaccinations against bacterial STIs, to reduce STI incidence and support antimicrobial stewardship.