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Background: Hypochondriac symptoms are commonly reported in health science students. With their incomplete medical knowledge, they may compare their own bodily symptoms with disease symptoms during the process of learning, which can lead to mental distress and the need for repeated medical reassurance. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of hypochondriac symptoms in Chinese health science students. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disc, and Wanfang Data on July 1, 2018. Additionally, the references of the retrieved papers were searched. Cross-sectional studies published in either English or Chinese that reported the prevalence of hypochondriac symptoms in health science students were included. The selection process was executed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis, and study quality was assessed with the checklist recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for cross-sectional studies. A random-effects model according to the DerSimonian-Laird method was used to calculate the pooled prevalence. Results: Seven cross-sectional studies involving 6,217 Chinese health science students were included. The pooled prevalence of hypochondriac symptoms among health science students was 28.0% (95% CI = 19.0%–38.0%). The symptoms were a little more common in females (30.0%, 95% CI = 19.0%–42.0%) than in males (29.0%, 95% CI = 16.0%–42.0%), but the difference was not significant. No significant differences were found between participants grouped by study year. Only three studies explored the coping styles of students with hypochondriasis, and these revealed a high tendency toward help-seeking behaviors. Conclusion: Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed a high prevalence of hypochondriac symptoms among health science students, indicating that it is a noteworthy phenomenon. We suggest that counseling and other support services are necessary for health science students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of ranking higher education institutions has drawn much attention as of late. Many ranking models are being introduced; however, only a few of them incorporate quality dimensions rather than just absolute number of published papers, awards gained, etc. As a possible remedy to the issue, we applied statistical I-distance method on a dataset presented by SCImago Institutions Rankings methodology. Results pointed out that quality indicators such as 'Excellence Rate' and 'Normalized Impact' are far more important than gross number of published papers. In addition, a comparison of scientific output between China and India is elaborated upon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a culturally sensitive nurse‐led structured education programme for patients with type 2 diabetes. Background: A nurse‐led satisfactory diabetes education programme might be feasible. The structured education programme is considered a potential model that helps patients manage diabetes. Design A mixed‐method design. Methods: A convenience sample of 44 participants received the programme. Feasibility was assessed using the recruitment rate and the retention rate. Acceptability was assessed by interviews to obtain the perception and experience of participants. Also, preliminary efficacy on diabetes knowledge, self‐efficacy, self‐management behaviours, and clinical outcomes was assessed. Finally, data were collected from April to December 2015. Results: The recruitment rate and the retention rate were acceptable. Participants thought that the programme contributed to their positive changes. They enjoyed and accepted the programme, and they wanted to gain the ongoing support. Significant improvements in diabetes knowledge, self‐efficacy, self‐management behaviours, A1C, fasting blood glucose, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, weight, body mass index, and waist circumference were reported in 12‐week follow‐up. Conclusions: This programme is feasible and acceptable, and its preliminary efficacy is promising. Ongoing support, a control group, and long‐term follow‐up are required in future studies to assess its effectiveness. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Unsatisfactory diabetes education and a shortage of general practitioners may promote the poor management of patients with type 2 diabetes.Structured education programmes for patients with type 2 diabetes could improve biomedical, psychological, and lifestyle outcomes.A structured education programme for patients with type 2 diabetes without receiving insulin therapy was developed in mainland China. What this paper adds? The structured education programme is feasible and exhibits high preliminary efficacy.Participants received the structured education programme and experienced positive change.Participants hope to gain the ongoing support to maintain self‐management behaviours. The implications of this paper: The study indicates that nurses can use this programme to help patients manage diabetes.The programme can be applied in regular clinic care and generalized to other community health service centres.The results can provide some guidance for the further assessment of the effectiveness of the programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]