Journal of evaluation in clinical practice
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Appropriate patient reassurance is an essential feature of clinical practice. My recent experience as a patient, interpreted via my expertise as a health services researcher, led me to insights on ideal and suboptimal reassurance styles in the context of worrisome symptoms. Reassurance is complex: often poorly defined in the scientific literature, rarely rigorously studied, imperfectly understood, and requiring some adaptation to each patient situation. ⋯ Explicit medically appropriate reassurance notably reduced my concerns and anxiety. Interactions devoid of key reassurance components (acknowledging concerns, contextualising the problem, providing information on risk and next steps and incorporating discussion) exacted an unnecessary psychic toll. The striking differences among my clinicians' approaches illustrate how more thoughtful and salubrious interactions can occur using straightforward existing guidance on best reassurance practices, even without burdensome training, time, or resources.
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Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is a leading driver of disability. Primary care clinicians treat most patients with CNCP. Yet, they are often unable to identify appropriate pain treatments, mainly due to concerns about the safety and effectiveness of available medications. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) can be useful tools to guide primary care clinicians in selecting pain treatments based on the best available evidence. ⋯ Most CPGs focused on opioid management, with contradictory recommendations for non-opioid management based on low-quality evidence. Additional research is needed to strengthen the evidence for using non-opioid and non-pharmacological interventions to manage patients with CNCP.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of breastfeeding education with digital storytelling on fathers' breastfeeding self-efficacy.
There is growing evidence that fathers play an important role in the breastfeeding process and that fathers need education about breastfeeding. In our age of rapidly developing technology, the use of new teaching techniques in the education of fathers will provide more effective results. ⋯ In the current study, the effect of using digital storytelling method in breastfeeding education on fathers' breastfeeding self-efficacy was found to be significantly higher than routine education. It is recommended that this new method be used in education and counselling and that studies be conducted to examine its effect on breastfeeding behaviour and fathers' breastfeeding support.
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Emerging digital technologies are accelerating the transition of healthcare services from traditional in-person settings to virtual platforms. As a result, digital literacy is becoming essential for individuals to effectively engage with these services. However, inadequate digital literacy poses a significant barrier to both accessing and utilising virtual healthcare, potentially widening existing health disparities. ⋯ Findings from this study will provide valuable insights into the challenges and facilitators of digital literacy in engaging with virtual healthcare services. This review will also offer evidence-based recommendations to optimise digital health interventions and promote inclusive, equitable healthcare delivery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Assessing Theoretical Considerations of Effects Within a Behavioural Obesity Treatment in Women: Implications for Medical Professional Referral.
Obesity is an increasing medical issue not responding well to behavioural treatments beyond their initial weeks/months. ⋯ Findings support the addressed behavioural theories within a community-based obesity treatment model that emphasized exercise for its psychosocial impacts on dietary behaviours and sustained weight loss. Based on the present empirical supports, medical professionals should consider referral to such approaches before (or in combination with) surgical or pharmacological methods.