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As part of a larger study about pregnancy options counseling with adolescents, we interviewed women in the United States who chose abortion during adolescence about preferences and experiences regarding communication from healthcare professionals during abortion care. We conducted individual semi-structured interviews with women ages 18-35 years old who were pregnant before age 20 years old and chose abortion. We recruited participants through social media, a research registry, and flyers in healthcare facilities. We recorded and transcribed interviews. Two investigators coded interview transcripts using thematic analysis. We conducted interviews with 17 US women (median age 32 years old, range 20-35 years old) from 11/2020-4/2021. The median age at time of abortion was 18 years old (range 14-19 years). The sample was 58% (n = 10) Caucasian and 65% (n = 11) heterosexual. Themes included: 1) Participants perceived options counseling before abortion as important and necessary but did not always feel they personally needed it. 2) Participants reported that clinicians including nurses, physicians, and other staff sometimes had poor bedside manner, which was not aligned with their perceived need for gentleness due to their adolescence. 3) Participants valued nonjudgmental communication including normalization of abortion care. 4) Participants desired privacy and confidentiality throughout their clinic appointment, but clinic logistics led to concerns about limited privacy. 5) Participants appreciated medically accurate information about abortion in plain language balancing safety and risk information for reducing fear before the procedure. Responses suggested specific best practices that healthcare providers can adopt to improve care for youth considering abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundMethodsResultsConclusionsThe demand for simplified languages such as Easy Language has grown, also in healthcare. Despite this, very few studies have examined how healthcare personnel perceive Easy Language, or its effects on healthcare.This qualitative case study was conducted in a Finnish hospital. The data consisted of 14 interviews with hospital management and operational staff on their experiences of implementing and using Easy Language in patient communication.According to the hospital personnel, the experiences of Easy Language use were mainly positive. The staff felt that patient instructions in Easy Language improved communication with customers. They were proud that the values of the hospital’s strategy, especially customer orientation, were realized in practical work. However, operational-level personnel also reported certain challenges, especially regarding the adequacy of resources and training.Considering its modest financial investment, we conclude that the Easy Language project had a positive impact. The hospital staff were satisfied and perceived that health communication in the hospital had improved. Their positive reputation due to their use of Easy Language brought added value to their work. Further studies are needed to measure the direct customer experience and financial effects of using Easy Language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although much attention has been given to vaccine hesitancy, there is still considerable ambiguity regarding its epistemological antecedents. The current meta-analysis addresses this theoretical and practical gap by focusing on the interplay between trust, belief in conspiracy theories, and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (k = 32), as well as key moderators such as the availability of the vaccine and the state and progress of the pandemic. Overall, results indicate that while both trust and beliefs in conspiracy theories are important correlates of vaccine hesitancy, considerable difference emerges when adopting a more granular approach that distinguishes between types of trust (government, public health organizations, science, and healthcare professionals/providers) and conspiracies (specific versus general). These findings cement the importance of health communication, not only as a useful framework to study and understand vaccine hesitancy but also as a potential way to intervene in order to prepare for future infectious disease outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Given the discrepancies in immunisation coverage, the goal of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators to effective communication across the school-based vaccination program in South Eastern Sydney schools. Methods: A qualitative study was undertaken with purposively selected immunisation staff, school coordinators, and parents of Year 7 students who had not received two vaccinations (dTpa and HPV) at school. A focus group with immunisation staff and interviews with school coordinators explored the barriers and facilitators to vaccination uptake, including communication across stakeholders. The parent interviews explored attitudes to vaccination and the school program and investigated the program communication methods. Results: Five immunisation staff, eleven school coordinators, and eleven parents participated in the study. The barriers to participation in the school vaccination program included low parent recall of vaccination information, challenges encountered by school staff in consent tracking, no communication channel between health staff and parents, a greater school focus on vaccination facilitation than student education, and limited communication between stakeholders about catch-up vaccinations. The facilitators included established school/parent relationships for vaccine communication, effective communication between health and school staff, and using multiple methods to promote clinic and consent requirements. Conclusions: Opportunities exist to increase program participation by enhancing vaccination information and education for students and parents, with better communication about vaccination catch-ups and consent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Design Setting Sample Methods Main Outcome Measures Results Conclusions Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) women experience higher rates of reproductive healthcare barriers and adverse birth outcomes compared to their hearing peers. This study explores the pregnancy experiences of DHH women who do not sign to better understand their barriers and facilitators to optimal perinatal health care.Qualitative study using thematic analysis.Semi‐structured, individual remote, or in‐person interviews in the United States.Twenty‐two DHH English speakers (non‐signers) who gave birth in the United States within the past 5 years.Semi‐structured interviews explored how DHH women experienced pregnancy and birth, including access to perinatal information and resources, relationships with healthcare providers, communication access, and their involvement with the healthcare system throughout pregnancy. A thematic analysis was conducted.The barriers and facilitators related to a positive perinatal care experience among DHH women.Five key themes emerged. For barriers, healthcare communication breakdowns and loss of patient autonomy highlighted DHH women's struggle with perinatal health care. In contrast, DHH participants outlined the importance of accessible health communication practices and accommodations, use of patient advocacy or self‐advocacy, and assistive technologies for DHH parents for more positive perinatal care experiences.Perinatal healthcare providers and staff should routinely inquire about ways to ensure an inclusive and accessible healthcare experience for their DHH patients and provide communication accommodations for optimal care. Additionally, healthcare providers should be more aware of the unique parenting needs and resources of their DHH patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, many people don’t eat a healthy diet despite policies and public health frameworks deployed to improve dietary status. Healthy diets can prevent, manage, and even reverse chronic disease, highlighting the importance of health professionals addressing healthy diets in clinical consultations. Conversation analysis (CA) is a method that can be used to understand dietary talk in these clinical consultations; however, it is unclear to what extent CA has been used for this purpose. Using PRISMA guidelines, a scoping review was conducted with the aim of identifying and summarizing research where CA was used to examine the dietary health conversations between health professionals and adults. A systematic search resulted in 4161 articles retrieved, with 13 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Included studies used CA to examine a variety of phases of dietary health encounters, including dietary assessment, advice-giving and resistance to this dietary advice, and dietary (lifestyle) behavior change negotiations, with n = 6 using audio or video recording, respectively. Studies were conducted in seven countries and across primary, secondary, and tertiary settings. We highlighted that dietary talk, irrespective of purpose (e.g., evaluation, assessment, or persuasion [e.g., behavior change]), is under-researched within the CA field. This is a need for further research using CA on dietary talk across a range of settings, conditions, populations, and talk purposes to understand how health professionals impact patient dietary behaviors. Such understanding has the potential to contribute to the improvement of dietary health communication approaches and patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Language plays a critical role in health communication, particularly in the management and understanding of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among elderly populations. This study aimed to explore the language barriers that affect elderly participants' comprehension of NCDs, focusing on how these barriers impact their understanding of disease causes, symptoms, treatment, and self-management. The study also investigated how linguistic differences between healthcare workers and patients influence the effectiveness of health interventions in a rural South African context. Methods: This qualitative phenomenological study was conducted with elderly participants aged 60 years and above, all of whom have chronic diseases. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted using an interview guide during the AWI-Gen 2 research feedback sessions in the Ga-Dikgale area. Data analysis was performed using QSR NVivo 10 to identify key themes. Results: Five major themes emerged regarding participants' understanding of NCDs and the perceived language barriers. These include Limited Knowledge and Awareness of NCDs, Misconceptions about NCDs, Mixed perceptions regarding NCD causes and treatment, Discrepancies in healthcare workers' communication, and the Importance of interpreters in facilitating NCD-related communication. Conclusion: The study revealed significant misconceptions about diabetes and hypertension, as well as traditional practices like bloodletting, which were perceived to relieve hypertension symptoms. It also identified critical communication barriers, including limited time for health practitioners to explain diagnoses and treatments. The findings emphasize the need for interpreters and culturally sensitive communication strategies to improve health literacy and care. Collaborative efforts between traditional and western health practitioners are recommended to address these issues and enhance community health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case presentation: A 73-year-old woman, independent, with a medical history of psychopathology under treatment and non-compliant. After a fall, he suffered a forearm fracture and, in this context, abuse of psychoactive drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was suspected. Study and evaluation of the case: The state of the patient's situation was evaluated, and an abuse of the hypnotic-anxiolytic treatment was observed, which could be related to her recent forearm fracture. His poor therapeutic adherence led to poor control of his health problems and the appearance of possible Negative Outcomes Associated with Medication (NOM). Intervention: He was referred to his primary care physician with a pharmacist consultation report, indicating the possible NMRs and therapeutic alternatives in antihypertensive and antidepressant treatment. Results: The family physician related the fall and subsequent forearm fracture, as well as the decompensation of his basal pathology, with therapeutic noncompliance. The proposal for pharmaceutical intervention was accepted, monitoring blood pressure for its corresponding dosage readjustment, bupropion was withdrawn, a gradual deprescription of benzodiazepine doses began, and the anti-inflammatory was replaced by analgesics. Consequently, the patient significantly improved her cardiovascular health and her quality of life, in addition to increasing her personal autonomy. Conclusions: Multidisciplinary communication between health professionals allows better control of cardiovascular disease and optimization of pharmacotherapy and health resources, contributing to improving their state of health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the impact of Clinical Decision Support (CDS) implementation on radiology workflow at a hospital in Melbourne, Australia, showing potential benefits such as reduced unnecessary test orders and improved resource utilization. Adherence to the STARD 2015 guideline in medical imaging DTA studies was found to be suboptimal, with recommendations for improving reporting to enhance research quality. Other studies evaluated the appropriateness of imaging requests in emergency departments, overuse of neuroimaging, and the association of certain signs with injury severity in motor vehicle collision patients. Additionally, AI models were successful in identifying missed cancers in breast screening programs, indicating their potential to enhance cancer detection. [Extracted from the article]

Background/Objectives: The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has turned the spotlight on the importance of public health measures and disease prevention. Despite this, the acceptance of influenza vaccination has remained low in most countries (and far from the 75% target set by the World Health Organization). The objective of this study has been to investigate how attitudes and behaviors regarding influenza vaccination in the Spanish adult population have changed over the last three years (from 2021 to 2024) in order to analyze trends in influenza vaccination. Methods: To this end, a cross-sectional study was conducted through 2206 telephone interviews, and the results were compared with those obtained in previous campaigns. Results: The findings indicate a significant decline in overall vaccination intent. Healthcare professionals remain the most influential factor in encouraging vaccination, yet there is a notable increase in the lack of vaccine recommendations, contributing to the decision not to vaccinate. This study also reveals low awareness of the influenza vaccine campaign, emphasizing the need for improved public health communication. Conclusions: To counteract these trends, this study recommends intensifying awareness campaigns, strengthening the role of healthcare providers in vaccine advocacy, and tailoring communication strategies. These efforts are crucial to enhancing vaccination coverage and protecting vulnerable populations against influenza. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Across the globe, racial and ethnic minorities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 with increased risk of infection and burden from disease. Vaccine hesitancy has contributed to variation in vaccine uptake and compromised population-based vaccination programs in many countries. Connect, Collaborate and Tailor (CCT) is a Public Health Agency of Canada funded project to make new connections between public health, healthcare professionals and underserved communities in order to create culturally adapted communication about COVID-19 vaccines. This paper describes the CCT process and outcomes as a community engagement model that identified information gaps and created tailored tools to address misinformation and improve vaccine acceptance. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with CCT participants were undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of CCT in identifying and addressing topics of concern to underserved and ethnic minority communities. Interviews also explored CCT participants' experiences of collaboration through the development of new partnerships between ethnic minority communities, public health and academic researchers, and the evolution of co-operation sharing ideas and creating infographics. Thematic analysis was used to produce representative themes. The activities described were aligned with the levels of public engagement described in the IAP2 spectrum (International Association for Public Participation). Results: Analysis of interviews (n = 14) revealed that shared purpose and urgency in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic motivated co-operation among CCT participants. Acknowledgement of past harm, present health, and impact of social inequities on public service access was an essential first step in establishing trust. Creating safe spaces for open dialogue led to successful, iterative cycles of consultation and feedback between participants; a process that not only helped create tailored infographics but also deepened engagement and collaboration. Over time, the infographic material development was increasingly directed by community representatives' commentary on their groups' real-time needs and communication preferences. This feedback noticeably guided the choice, style, and presentation of infographic content while also directing dissemination strategies and vaccine confidence building activities. Conclusions: The CCT process to create COVID-19 vaccine communication materials led to evolving co-operation between groups who had not routinely worked together before; strong community engagement was a key driver of change. Ensuring a respectful environment for open dialogue and visibly using feedback to create information products provided a foundation for building relationships. Finally, our data indicate participants sought reinforcement of close cooperative ties and continued investment in shared responsibility for community partnership-based public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a position paper from the American College of Clinical Pharmacology (ACCP) discussing the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists for chronic weight management therapy. The paper emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to ensure that these medications are appropriately prescribed, supplied, and filled per approved labels. It also encourages comprehensive treatment plans that include coaching for positive lifestyle changes and health literacy. The paper highlights potential risks and calls for regulatory agencies to prevent the manufacturing and importation of unapproved GLP-1 receptor agonists. The paper includes conflicts of interest disclosures and funding information. [Extracted from the article]

In the span of a decade, smartphones have gained popularity and acceptance among both patients and physicians thanks to their advantages in health care delivery. However, research investigating mobile patient-provider communication (MPPC) and its impact on patients’ lifestyles is only just beginning. Drawing on the pathway model of health communication and mobile technology (MTI) theory, we developed a research model to explore the effect of MPPC on lifestyle improvement, using health empowerment as a mediator and MTI as a moderator. The findings from 432 participants (Mage = 32.5 years old, female = 212) suggested that after controlling for respondents’ age, gender, education, income, and general health status, having greater communication with healthcare providers through mobile devices was positively related to lifestyle improvement and that health empowerment mediated this relationship. Moreover, MTI-emotional energy (MTIE) moderated the direct relationship between MPPC and lifestyle improvement, while MTI-dependency (MTID) moderated the indirect impact of MPPC. Individuals who hold a greater MTIE/MTID were more likely to benefit from MPPC such that they are more likely to be empowered for self-care and maintain healthy lifestyles. This study not only contributes to the growing literature on mobile health communication but also plays a reference role for interventions in patient empowerment and health promotion. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aims Design Methods Results Conclusion Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care Reporting Methods Patient or Public Contribution This study aims to explore the practice of advance care planning (ACP) among Chinese oncology nurses and identify challenges influencing care provision.A sequential explanatory mixed‐method design was employed, comprising a quantitative phase to assess communication practices, followed by a qualitative phase to explore the challenges faced in ACP.The study employed convenience sampling, including 532 oncology nurses from seven hospitals in northern China. Quantitative data were collected through a cross‐sectional survey and the ACP communication index from December 2021 to January 2022. The qualitative phase consisted of 19 interviews conducted between May and July 2022, which were thematically analysed to elucidate the challenges in ACP practices.Quantitative findings revealed a low frequency of ACP communication among Chinese oncology nurses. Qualitative analysis identified four themes: lack of optimal timing, passive engagement of patients or families, reluctance of healthcare professionals and unsupported policies.The study concluded that identified challenges compromise the effectiveness of ACP practices among Chinese oncology nurses. Inadequate communication, limited interdisciplinary collaboration and policy gaps contribute to nonstandardised ACP processes.The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to enhance nurses' communication skills, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and provide policy support. Such interventions are pivotal to optimising end‐of‐life care in oncology settings and facilitating the integration of ACP into routine nursing practices.This study adhered to the Mixed Methods Article Reporting Standards.No contributions from patients or the public were involved in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Effective risk communication about medicines is crucial to the success of all pharmacovigilance activities but remains a worldwide challenge. Risk communication has been conducted in Malaysia for decades, yet awareness on the communication methods remains low among healthcare professionals. While international guidelines are available, clear guidance on effectively communicating the risks of medicines in specific countries is scarce. This study aimed to establish a consensus on the priority strategies for enhancing risk communication about medicines by regulators. Methods: We conducted a two-round modified Delphi survey among local and international communication experts, and also recipients of medicines risk communication in Malaysia. We developed a list of 37 strategies based on the findings of our previous studies. In Round 1, participants were asked to rate the priority for each strategy using a 5-point Likert scale and suggest additional strategies via free-text comments. Strategies scoring a mean of ≥ 3.75 were included in Round 2. We defined consensus for the final list of strategies a priori as > 75% agreement. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: Our final Delphi panel (n = 39, 93% response rate) comprised medicines communication experts from nine countries and Malaysian healthcare professionals. Following Round 1, we dropped 14 strategies and added 11 strategies proposed by panellists. In the second round, 21 strategies achieved consensus. The priority areas identified were to improve the format and content of risk communication, increase the use of technology, and increase collaboration with various stakeholders. Priority ratings for the strategy "to offer incentives to pharmaceutical companies which maintain effective communication systems" were significantly higher among recipients compared to communicators [χ2(1, N = 39) = 10.1; p = 0.039] and among local versus international panellists [χ2(1, N = 39) = 14.3; p = 0.007]. Conclusions: Our study identified 21 priority strategies, which were used to develop a strategic plan for enhancing medicines risk communication. This plan is potentially adaptable to all countries with developing pharmacovigilance systems. The difference in views between communicators and recipients, as well as local and international panellists, highlights the importance of involving multiple stakeholders in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the impact of haemophilia B, a condition characterized by spontaneous bleeding into joints and muscles, on patients in the United States. The study found that most patients were receiving prophylaxis treatment, but still experienced bleeding events, with the severity of the disease correlating with a higher annualized bleeding rate. Patients with severe disease and those over the age of 12 were more likely to have comorbid conditions such as arthropathy and synovitis. The study also found that patients classified as obese or overweight had higher bleeding rates. The findings emphasize the ongoing burden of bleeding episodes and the need for improved prevention and treatment options for haemophilia B. [Extracted from the article]

summarizes the key components of the survivorship care model and highlights the importance of survivor-centered care in improving the quality of life for cancer survivors.The fifth article explores the role of community health workers (CHWs) in cancer prevention and control in low- and middle-income countries. The article discusses the various roles and responsibilities of CHWs, including health education, screening, and navigation. It emphasizes the need for training, supervision, and integration of CHWs into the healthcare system to effectively address the cancer burden in these settings.These articles provide valuable insights into various aspects of cancer research, care, and policy development. They highlight the importance of patient engagement, cultural sensitivity, and addressing inequalities in access to care. Library patrons conducting research on cancer-related topics will find these summaries informative and relevant to their studies. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: This study investigated the prevalence and perception of premorbid lifestyle-related risk factors among Covid-19 Survivors in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used to collect data from 522 consenting adult Covid-19 survivors in Abuja (274) and Lagos (248), Nigeria, using a self-developed, close-ended and validated questionnaire called the Lifestyle-related Factors in Covid-19 Questionnaire (LFC-19 Questionnaire) through a multistage sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) with P value set at ≤ 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained for the study. Results: A significant number of Covid-19 Survivors were overweight/obese (67.8%) and had a history of physical inactivity (73.8%). A small proportion had premorbid chronic diseases (23.8%) as well as pre-existing lifestyle-related risk factors such as inadequate consumption of fruits (67.2%) and vegetables (60.0%) and physical inactivity (73.8%). Conclusion: This study revealed that most Covid-19 survivors residing in Lagos State and in Abuja capital city of Nigeria were either overweight or obese. This was due to physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet consisting of low fruit and vegetable consumption and poor sleep. Additionally, the study showed that patients' perceptions of their risk factors were often inaccurate as it differed from what was measured. The findings from this study will assist public health professionals and clinicians in designing and implementing more effective Covid-19 management strategies that incorporate healthy lifestyle practices and lifestyle modifications and assist public health promotion and communication specialists in designing appropriate and evidence-based preventive messages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As a person nears the end of their life, culture and ethnicity increasingly drive preferences and priorities for care. Understanding these preferences and priorities is fundamental to health care professionals' goals to respect decision making and support the individual throughout this phase of life. Across Africa, several countries are in the initial stages of implementing palliative care services in their burgeoning health care systems. Moving forward, it is imperative to consider cultural similarities and differences when compared with the Western world, where the field of palliative care evolved, to create a tailored palliative care approach that is consistent with African culture. In palliative care, understanding cultural preferences and priorities requires communication between the patient and the provider and is a crucial step toward a successful implementation in Africa. A paternalistic patient–provider relationship is the current leading model in sub-Saharan Africa.1 Aim: This narrative review explores the prevalence of paternalism and explores its appropriateness and necessity in the current application of palliative care in sub-Saharan African countries. Methods: This narrative review was conducted using four databases as well as hand searching of relevant articles sourced from references of already selected articles. A total of 730 articles were identified. Fourteen articles met the inclusion/exclusion criteria set for this narrative review. Results: In sub-Saharan Africa, the leading patient–provider relationship was determined to be paternalistic. Reasons for this were language, education, cultural norms and expectations, lack of time, and benevolence. Conclusions: The implementation of palliative care often relies on communication of patient desires and goals. Consideration is needed to determine how a provider can appropriately know these factors in a paternalistic relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction Methodology Results Discussion Although menstruation is a natural biological process, many people feel embarrassed of their menses and struggle to discuss it. To mitigate menstrual communication stigma, it is necessary to first elucidate communication experiences and perceptions. Thus, we qualitatively explore menstrual communication among cisgender women who menstruate and their family, friends, healthcare providers, and community.In partnership with No More Secrets (NMS), a Philadelphia menstrual health non‐profit, we conducted a community‐based participatory research (CBPR) project in Fall 2020. Cisgender, menstruating individuals ages 18–45 recruited from NMS' catchment in Philadelphia participated in semi‐structured interviews about their menstrual experiences and communication (N = 20). A deductive, theory‐driven approached based on the social‐ecological model was used to analyze the data.Varying emotional responses arose across social‐ecological levels: communication was awkward and simplistic with family; positive and supportive with friends and community members; and uncomfortable and frustrating with healthcare providers. Participants echoed the importance of menstrual communication as a means of sharing information, feeling less alone, and decreasing menstrual stigma.Findings can inform future CBPR workshops that address stigma in familial, healthcare, and community‐based discussions to improve menstrual health and experiences for cisgender girls and women, transgender men, and gender non‐binary individuals who menstruate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The likelihood of COVID-19 spreading from one individual to another is impacted by personal factors, preventive actions taken, and the quantity and length of exposure. Social media instantly shares health information with the public so medical professionals can interact with them. Methods: The review used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist. We retrieve articles by using keywords on Pub Med, Cochrane Library, and grey literatures. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument was used to check the quality of articles. The main qualitative synthesis was including comments related to the characteristics of the studied populations, the study period, and the main results obtained from the social media platforms. Result: This study includes 32 studies conducted in 20 countries globally. Most of the studies discussed that during the pandemics different types of social medias were utilized to provide knowledge to change the attitude of the people and helps to practices COVID-19 preventive behaviors. By enabling people to seek and share knowledge, socialize, and find pleasure, social media use encourages people to adopt preventive behaviors. This review demonstrated a substantial relationship between higher levels of precautionary behaviors and factors such as educational status, knowledge, fear, and reading medical pages on social media. According to the studies, watching videos is a reliable means to get accurate information, and watching animated films posted on social media can help people learn more about COVID-19 preventive strategies. Conclusion: In these urgent times, social media could even help with quick information availability; misinformation or inadequate understanding can cause misunderstandings within the community. This analysis revealed that following medical pages on social media, having knowledge, feeling afraid, and having an educational background were all strongly correlated with greater levels of aware preventive behavior. Therefore, it is advised for policy makers to develop social behavioral change health communication strategies, guidelines on COVID-19 prevention behaviors. Health care providers should prepare health learning materials, and provide accurate, updated and timely information using all forms of social media to correct mis- information, misperceptions, depression, and anxiety for better control of the pandemics. Future research shall focus on evaluating effectiveness of each social media platform interventions during such emergency crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the evolution of health communication campaigns from a transmissive lens to a more culturally centered approach. It highlights the importance of understanding the systemic forces contributing to health disparities and the need for community-oriented strategies. Scholars advocate for integrating communication, teaching, and learning concepts to improve health campaigns, emphasizing the significance of cultural beliefs and community partnerships. The article calls for future scholars to explore the intricate connections among health information, culture, structure, agency, and marginalization in order to create more effective and culturally sensitive health campaigns. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the importance of interprofessional collaborative practice in improving healthcare, especially in addressing the complex needs of patients with chronic diseases and multimorbidity. It emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals from different backgrounds to work together to provide high-quality care. The text highlights the shift towards team-based care and the necessity of empowering patients, fostering a culture of collaboration, and improving communication and training to enhance interprofessional practice. The focus is on promoting population health and addressing disparities in healthcare systems. [Extracted from the article]

The article "Considerations for the Use of Biologics in Pregnancy" discusses the benefits and risks of using biologics to treat dermatologic conditions during pregnancy. Biologics have shown efficacy in treating conditions like psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and atopic dermatitis, improving patients' quality of life. While some biologics have a favorable safety profile during pregnancy, others like rituximab may pose risks to the fetus. Dermatologists must carefully weigh the benefits and risks of using biologics in pregnant patients to ensure the best outcomes for both mother and child. [Extracted from the article]

Digital health literacy has been defined as the 'ability to seek, find, understand, and appraise health information from electronic sources and apply the knowledge gained to address or solve a health problem' (Norman and Skinner, 2006). Health literacy and digital health literacy are essential in order to reach universal health coverage and to reform the processes of the healthcare systems (WHO, 2018). Healthcare professionals need to treat patients in a continuous evolving structure (WHO, 2013). The research question that guided the paper is 'How can Romanian health professionals' digital health literacy be used to improve communication with their patients?'. The aim of the study is to explore Romanian health professionals' level of digital literacy, to identify how it can improve the communication with the patients. 20 interviews with resident and senior medical doctors, medical students and nurses were conducted. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and then stored as Word documents in a password-secured environment. From the data gathered in the interviews four major themes emerged: (a) digital health literacy; (b) communication with the patients; (c) improvements for the National Health Strategy 2014-2020; (d) time as a barrier in communication. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis through the MAXQDA2018 software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective health communication is critical for understanding and acting on health information. This cross-sectional study explored participants' understanding of their health condition, their preferences for receiving health communications, and their interest in receiving clinical trial results across several therapeutic areas. The study recruited participants via social media, email newsletters, and advocacy organizations. An online screener captured demographic information (health conditions, age, race/ethnicity, gender, and education). Eligible participants were emailed an online survey assessing preferred sources and formats for receiving health information, interest in learning about topics related to the results of clinical trials, and health literacy levels. In total, 449 participants (median age, 35 years [range, 18–76]; White, 53%; higher education, 65%; mean (range) health literacy score, 1.9 [0.4–3.0]) from 45 US states completed the survey representing 12 disease indications (bipolar, blood and solid tumor cancers, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, major depressive disorder, migraine, Parkinson's, psoriasis/atopic dermatitis, retinal vein occlusion/macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, and spasticity). Healthcare providers were the preferred source of health information (59%), followed by Internet searches (11%). Least preferred sources were social media (5%), friends/family (3%), and email newsletters (2%). Participants preferred multiple formats and ranked reading materials online as most preferred (33%), along with videos (28%) and infographics (27%). Printed materials (14%) and audio podcasts (9%) were the least preferred formats. A majority of the participants reported that the health information they found was hard to understand (57%) and confusing (62%). Most participants (85%) were somewhat/very interested in learning about clinical trial results, with the highest interest in short summaries of safety (78%) and efficacy (74%) results. Effective health communication may be achieved via multiple formats shared directly by healthcare providers. Researchers wanted to learn how people preferred to receive health-related communications, including information about the results of clinical trials. They surveyed 449 people from 45 US states with 12 different health conditions. The survey questions asked people about their preferred sources and ways of getting health information. It also asked about their interest in learning about clinical trials related to their health condition. The results showed that most people preferred to get health information from their healthcare providers (59%). The Internet was the second most popular choice (11%) for getting health information. People did not like getting health information from social media, friends or family, or email newsletters as much. When it came to how health information was shared, people liked reading materials online (33%), watching videos (28%), and looking at infographics (27%). They did not like printed materials and audio podcasts as much. Most people (85%) were interested in learning about the results of clinical trials in short summaries. They wanted to know about the safety (78%) and how well the treatments worked (74%) in the short summaries. In conclusion, people liked getting health information from healthcare providers like doctors, nurses, and others in different formats. Sharing information in different formats through healthcare providers may improve communication for patients with different health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the differences in satisfaction levels after septorhinoplasty between patients who are healthcare workers and those who are not. The study includes patients who underwent primary septorhinoplasty surgery, divided into two groups: healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers. The Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) questionnaire was administered to the patients at the 6th postoperative month. Among the 37 patients, 18 were healthcare workers, and 19 were non-healthcare workers. The mean Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation score for healthcare workers at the 6th postoperative month was 75.69 ± 16.06, while in the non-healthcare worker group, the ROE scores were 60.31 ± 27.69. The findings from our study indicated that individuals in the healthcare profession exhibited significantly greater satisfaction rates following septorhinoplasty in comparison to those in the non-healthcare worker group, with a statistically significant difference noted (p: 0.046). Having more knowledge about septorhinoplasty surgery and its complications among healthcare workers may allow for more realistic expectations regarding the surgical intervention. Simultaneously, it may facilitate better communication with the surgeon and the expression of expectations. Clinicians should pay attention not only to the patient's intellectual level but also to their health literacy in communication with the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reducing overweight and obesity has been a longstanding focus of public health messaging and physician–patient interactions. Clinical guidelines by major public health organizations describe both overweight and obesity as risk factors for mortality and other health conditions. Accordingly, a majority of primary care physicians believe that overweight BMI (even without obesity) strongly increases mortality risk. Main points: The current evidence base suggests that although both obese BMI and underweight BMI are consistently associated with increased all-cause mortality, overweight BMI (without obesity) is not meaningfully associated with increased mortality. In fact, a number of studies suggest modest protective, rather than detrimental, associations of overweight BMI with all-cause mortality. Given this current evidence base, clinical guidelines and physician perceptions substantially overstate all-cause mortality risks associated with the range of BMIs classified as "overweight" but not "obese." Discrepancies between evidence and communication regarding mortality raise the question of whether similar discrepancies exist for other health outcomes. Conclusions: Health communication that inaccurately conveys current evidence may do more harm than good; this applies to communication from health authorities to health practitioners as well as to communication from health practitioners to individual patients. We give three recommendations to better align health communication with the current evidence. First, recommendations to the public and health practitioners should distinguish overweight from obese BMI and at this time should not describe overweight BMI as a risk factor for all-cause mortality. Second, primary care physicians' widespread misconceptions about overweight BMI should be rectified. Third, the evidence basis for other potential risks or benefits of overweight BMI should be rigorously examined and incorporated appropriately into health communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health literacy, the ability to obtain and comprehend health knowledge, is essential to promote health and reduce disparities. Health communication aims to improve health by ensuring an effective understanding and application of health information. Despite current challenges, there are many opportunities for improving communication in the health literacy practice. Promoting communication in health literacy is essential in empowering individuals, improving outcomes, and reducing healthcare disparities. Effective communication enables access, comprehension, and informed decision-making of individuals and communities regarding their health, strengthening their central role in promoting health literacy. This paper highlights the challenges and opportunities in today's world, especially in a post-pandemic era, dominated by infodemic and social media influencers, while providing solutions, encompassing professional training of health professionals on communication, digital skills, and an overarching strategy across health institutions. Translating knowledge into health-promoting behaviors and well-being can only be effective by accounting for communication in health literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women worldwide. Social media channels are a significant source of health information including breast cancer. YouTube has a broad range of educational materials on various health issues in many languages. However, the accuracy of these videos is contentious. This study aimed to examine the accuracy of the most viewed Hindi videos on YouTube related to breast cancer. Methods: On YouTube, the “Breast Cancer-Hindi” term was searched for the 50 most viewed Hindi videos. To evaluate the videos’ quality and reliability, global quality scores (GQS) and DISCERN (quality criteria for the assessment of written health information), and for credibility and usefulness Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) tool were used. Popularity was measured using a video power index (VPI). Comparisons of scores were made between professionals’ and consumers’ videos. Two health researchers independently rated the videos and their correlation was calculated for agreement. Results: Of all the 50 videos viewed, 23 (46%) each were uploaded by consumers and professionals. GQS median 3 (1–5), DISCERN median 13 (5–23), JAMA median 2 (0.50–4), and VPI median 90.7 (50–96.93) were reported. All scores of professionals were higher than consumers at a significant level (P < 0.05). A significant correlation was found between both observers (P < 0.01). Conclusion: YouTube has some good quality and reliable videos on breast cancer in the Hindi language. These videos are mostly of professionals in comparison with consumers with wide viewership. However, they are limited in numbers; therefore, health professionals should upload more videos with accurate information to spread awareness about breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearing a face mask is one of the main means of preventing the transmission of certain respiratory diseases. This measure, combined with social distancing and hand washing, helps to slow the spread and reduce transmission of the virus, especially among people who are expressed as asymptomatic carriers, while causing communication difficulties between patients and healthcare professionals. If strategies to cope with these difficulties are not developed, serious errors may occur in the field of health services. Because the field of health services is one of the service areas where it is vital to maintain communication without interruption. For this reason, the effective performance of the procedures requires that the health personnel understand the messages correctly and appropriately both in their communication with each other and with the patient and that the patients can adequately express their feelings and thoughts to the healthcare professionals. The aim of this study is to reveal the difficulties and facilitating strategies of masked communication in health services during the COVID-19 process. The method of "document scanning-a literature review" was used as a way of data collection in the research. In this direction, the literature dealing with the importance of the face in expressing emotions in face-to-face communication and the difficulties caused by face masks in communication during the COVID-19 epidemic was scanned using keywords and various combinations of these words. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the evolving landscape of pharmacogenomic testing, which examines how genetic variations influence individual responses to medications. Topics discussed include the expanding applications of pharmacogenetic testing, ethical and policy considerations surrounding its use, and the urgent need for clear regulatory guidelines to protect consumers and ensure informed consent.

This article provides an overview of the various imaging modalities and surgical techniques used in fetal surgery. It explains how ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, virtual reality, and Metaverse technology have revolutionized preoperative planning, reduced surgical time and complications, and improved outcomes for both the fetus and the mother. The article also discusses the different modes of ultrasound imaging and their applications in visualizing fetal anatomy and diagnosing anomalies. It highlights the use of teleultrasound and fetal MRI in prenatal care and diagnosis. The text further explores the use of 3D printing, fetoscopy, and open fetal surgery in treating conditions such as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and spina bifida. It emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and minimizing complications in fetal surgery. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Classification and scoring systems can help both clinical management and audit the outcomes of routine care. Aim: This study aimed to assess published systems used to characterise ulcers in people with diabetes to determine which should be recommended to (a) aid communication between health professionals, (b) predict clinical outcome of individual ulcers, (c) characterise people with infection and/or peripheral arterial disease, and (d) audit to compare outcomes in different populations. This systematic review is part of the process of developing the 2023 guidelines to classify foot ulcers from the International Working Group on Diabetic Foot. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for articles published up to December 2021 which evaluated the association, accuracy or reliability of systems used to classify ulcers in people with diabetes. Published classifications had to have been validated in populations of >80% of people with diabetes and a foot ulcer. Results: We found 28 systems addressed in 149 studies. Overall, the certainty of the evidence for each classification was low or very low, with 19 (68%) of the classifications being assessed by ≤ 3 studies. The most frequently validated system was the one from Meggitt‐Wagner, but the articles validating this system focused mainly on the association between the different grades and amputation. Clinical outcomes were not standardized but included ulcer‐free survival, ulcer healing, hospitalisation, limb amputation, mortality, and cost. Conclusion: Despite the limitations, this systematic review provided sufficient evidence to support recommendations on the use of six particular systems in specific clinical scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australian COVID-19 public health measures reduced opportunities for people to communicate with healthcare professionals and be present at the death of family members/friends. To understand if pandemic-specific challenges and public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted end-of-life and bereavement experiences differently if the death, supported by palliative care, occurred in a hospital or at home. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by bereaved adults during 2020–2022. Analyses compared home and in-patient palliative care deaths and bereavement outcomes. Additional analyses compared health communication outcomes for those identified as persons responsible or next of kin. Of 744 bereaved people; 69% (n = 514) had a death in hospital and 31% (n = 220) at home. The COVID-19 public health measures influenced people's decision to die at home. Compared to hospital deaths, the home death group had higher levels of grief severity and grief-related functional impairment. Only 37% of bereaved people received information about bereavement and support services. 38% of participants who were at least 12 months postdeath scored at a level suggestive of possible prolonged grief disorder. Levels of depression and anxiety between the two groups were not significantly different. These findings highlight the need for health services to recognize bereavement as fundamental to palliative and health care and provide pre- and post death grief and bereavement care to ensure supports are available particularly for those managing end-of-life at home, and that such supports are in place prior to as well as at the time of the death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cloud computing is a technology that holds great promise and has potential to revolutionize the healthcare sector. Many security and privacy issues are brought up by the cloud's centralization of data for both patients and healthcare professionals. There is a need for maintaining secrecy in communication in exchanging medical data between the sender and the receiver, which can be done by cryptography. This article presents a cryptographic algorithm (encryption and decryption) to have a secure communication of digital health care confidential data using DNA cryptography and Huffman coding. The interesting property is the cipher size obtained from our algorithm is equal to the size of the cipher obtained from the character set of given data. Security analysis is provided to show the security of data when stored and transmitted to the cloud. The cryptographic requirements, key space analysis, key and plain text sensitivity, sensitive score analysis, sensitivity and specificity, optimal threshold, randomness analysis, uniqueness of implementation, entropies of binary bits, DNA bases, DNA bases with Huffman code, Huffman encoded binary bits and cloud service provider's risk are analyzed. The method proposed is compared with other cryptographic methods and results that it is more secure and stronger than other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents seven cases of dermatologic reactions following COVID-19 vaccination, including herpes zoster infection, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, herpes labialis, and urticaria. While these reactions may be associated with COVID-19 vaccination, continued vaccination is advised as it remains the most effective measure against severe COVID-19 infection, despite the potential for cutaneous adverse effects.

Purpose: The current study investigates associations between mHealth apps and healthcare decision-making and health communication among informal caregivers in the US. Design: Cross-sectional study employing secondary data. Setting: The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS5, Cycles 2 through 4, 2018 – 2020). Sample: Self-identified informal caregivers (n = 1386; had mHealth apps = 61.3%, female = 63.2%, some college or more in education = 80.3%) who reported owning at least a smartphone or a tablet computer (i.e., ownership of a "smart device"). Measures: Sociodemographic characteristics, reports of having mHealth apps, smart device utilization in healthcare decision-making and health communication. Analysis: Accounting for the complex design features of the HINTS data, we constructed multiple hierarchical logistic regressions to compute adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Compared to caregivers without mHealth apps, those with the apps had higher odds of utilizing their smart devices to make a health-related decision, such as how to treat a disease or a medical condition (aOR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.13-2.39, P <.01), or engage in health-related discussions with a healthcare provider (aOR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.54-3.61, P <.001). Conclusion: Having mHealth apps was associated with a higher likelihood of using smart devices in healthcare decision-making and health communication by informal caregivers. Empowering caregivers to make informed health-related decisions and communicate effectively with healthcare providers are both crucial to health promotion and well-being. Future studies should investigate facilitators as well as barriers to using mHealth apps and smart devices in health-promoting strategies involving informal caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotional communication in health is a tool to improve communication skills regarding the need to recognize patients' emotional expressions and give them an adequate response. This study aims to show a tool to assess the emotional communication of health professionals, addressing the main theoretical definitions and evidence-based research that applied the Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences (VR-CoDES) methodology. Based on bibliographic research, the study analyzes the use of the VR-CoDES on emotional communication of health professionals, considering that communication is the key component in the high quality of treatment, with an impact on patient satisfaction and compliance. The study discusses the importance of recognizing patients' emotional cues and concerns in health care and highlights the gaps and challenges in training emotional communication skills in health contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While SARS-CoV-2 vaccines provide significant protection against severe COVID-19 illness, breakthrough infections have sparked confusion among patients about the effectiveness of vaccination. It's unclear if (or to what extent) breakthrough infection experiences impact public perceptions of COVID-vaccine effectiveness, though the answer may have significant implications for public health communications and ongoing vaccine acceptance. We conducted a survey of 2,500 adults in the United States (February 27 – March 9, 2023) in order to better understand the relationship between breakthrough COVID-19 infections and perceived vaccine effectiveness. Survey respondents were selected using a stratified, quota sampling approach to ensure representativeness; analysis was conducted on responses from 1,928 participants who received a COVID-19 vaccine. Among those who tested positive for COVID-19 after being vaccinated, 21.18 % said that COVID-19 vaccines had been "less effective" than they initially expected, compared with 10.0 % of those who did not experience any breakthrough infections (X 2 = 75.551; φ = 0.198; p ≤ 0.001). Those who experienced their own breakthrough infection were 1.37 times less likely to report perceived vaccine efficacy, while those whose family members experienced a breakthrough infection were 1.64 times less likely to report the same, ceteris paribus. The largest effect was observed among those who experienced both a personal and familial breakthrough infection. This group was almost two times less likely to describe COVID-19 vaccines as "very effective". Breakthrough infections correlated with lower overall levels of perceived vaccine effectiveness, even after accounting for demographic and political considerations. Moving forward, public officials and health professionals should work proactively to ensure that breakthrough infections are understood in the broader context of overall vaccine effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with disabilities experience numerous health disparities compared to their non-disabled peers and face inequities associated with challenges accessing care, stigma, and bias. Health professionals have the opportunity to address health inequities through improved communication, a primary barrier to receiving quality care; however more training is needed. There are limitations to existing tools to measure the skills or self-efficacy of professionals to communicate with individuals with disabilities, and to assess the effectiveness of training programs. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an instrument to measure health professionals' communication skills and self-efficacy specifically related to working with individuals with disabilities. After a comprehensive review of literature, expert review of proposed scale items, and pilot test, a 19-item survey was administered to 237 healthcare and health and physical education professionals. Construct validity was evaluated by performing an exploratory factor analysis on each subscale and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to measure internal consistency. For the skills subscale, Cronbach's α =.919 and for the self-efficacy subscale Cronbach's α =.949 after the removal of one item, resulting in a final 18-item inventory that demonstrates strong validity and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought its fair share of consequences. To control the transmission of the virus, several public health restrictions were put in place. While these restrictions had beneficial effects on transmission, they added to the pre-existing physical, psychosocial, and financial burdens associated with chronic pain, and made existing treatment gaps, challenges, and inequities worse. However, it also prompted researchers and clinicians to seek out possible solutions and expedite their implementation. This state-of-the-art review focuses on the concrete recommendations issued during the COVID-19 pandemic to improve the health and maintain the care of people living with chronic pain. The search strategy included a combination of chronic pain and pandemic-related terms. Four databases (Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and PubMed) were searched, and records were assessed for eligibility. Original studies, reviews, editorials, and guidelines published in French or in English in peer-reviewed journals or by recognized pain organizations were considered for inclusion. A total of 119 articles were analyzed, and over 250 recommendations were extracted and classified into 12 subcategories: change in clinical practice, change in policy, continuity of care, research avenues to explore, group virtual care, health communications/education, individual virtual care, infection control, lifestyle, non-pharmacological treatments, pharmacological treatments, and social considerations. Recommendations highlight the importance of involving various healthcare professionals to prevent mental health burden and emergency overload and emphasize the recognition of chronic pain. The pandemic disrupted chronic pain management in an already-fragile ecosystem, presenting a unique opportunity for understanding ongoing challenges and identifying innovative solutions. Numerous recommendations were identified that are relevant well beyond the COVID-19 crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persons experiencing homelessness (PEHs) have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality compared to the general population and are highly vulnerable during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Understanding their experience of the pandemic is important for mitigating the effects of the pandemic. Accordingly, we conducted a qualitative study on their lived experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in nine PEHs from Chennai, India, recruited at food stalls between September 14–25, 2020. Data were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. The participants shared their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on them, and their coping strategies. All the participants were migrant workers living alone, and were the sole breadwinners of their families. Five group experiential themes emerged relating to the experiences of the participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most participants reported significant psychosocial stress, but low suicide risk and robust coping mechanisms. They delayed seeking healthcare for non-COVID-19-related problems. Public hospitals were preferred over private hospitals due to cost constraints and prior experience of discrimination. Upward classism was observed as participants blamed the rich for the spread of COVID-19. Initial assumption that COVID-19 would only affect the rich was also reported. Free government testing and quarantine facilities assuaged their medico-psychosocial needs. Engaging in collective activities was a key stress mitigator. We highlight several important policy implications. Firstly, we underscore the importance of involving social workers to facilitate communication between healthcare providers and patients from vulnerable communities. This engagement can help minimize discrimination and promote equitable access to healthcare. Secondly, we emphasize the need for effective public health communication. Specifically, there is a need to address and alleviate concerns about the transmission of COVID-19 within hospital premises. Lastly, the research suggests that government initiatives aimed at fostering community participation should persist both during and after the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the knowledge and awareness of palliative care in the Italian-speaking Swiss general population, describing main misconceptions or false beliefs and their relationship with attitudes towards palliative care. Methods: Cross-sectional representative population survey (N = 313). Results: We observed a high awareness of «palliative care,» although it is mainly associated with pain management and the very last days of life. While false beliefs are relatively rare, there is low awareness of goals, targets, and services offered by palliative care. Overall the Italian-speaking Swiss population has a good predisposition towards palliative care, but negative attitudes are more common among those who lack knowledge. More than one-third of respondents are interested in receiving more information about palliative care, especially from their healthcare providers or through dedicated information points. Conclusion and practice implications: Health communication interventions to promote palliative care are needed because there is still significant unclarity about the goals of palliative care, which negatively affects its acceptance. This study instructs on how to intervene specifically in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, including what to communicate and how. Further, our findings can inspire similar studies in other Swiss regions or countries that can optimize recognition, knowledge, and understanding and contribute to filling gaps in populations' health service demand and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges for frontline healthcare professionals globally. Despite the varied challenges encountered by frontline healthcare professionals, the difficulties faced by public health communication officials in particular has remained an underexplored area of research. This study examined the specific challenges experienced by communication officials during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. A qualitative research design was used to conduct in-depth interviews with communication officials working in local health departments (LHDs) in 2022. A total of 14 participants were recruited through purposive sampling, coupled with a data saturation strategy, from LHDs situated in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Thematic analysis revealed 3 key themes: (1) main challenges faced by LHDs during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) challenges related to information dissemination on social media, and (3) burnout experienced by communication officials. This study's findings suggest that communication officials should be provided with the necessary resources and training to effectively handle misinformation, toxic behaviors, and bullying on social media while prioritizing their mental health. In addition, federal, state, and local health agencies should provide timely, clear, and accurate information to address the challenges faced by communication officials in their bid to disseminate information effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Allergic diseases—rhinitis and asthma—are the most common chronic conditions affecting adults. Traditional approaches to allergy diagnosis and treatment do not meet the health needs of all patients. Treatment adherence remains a challenge for physicians. The ubiquity of Internet access paired with limited in‐person contact with medical personnel in the course of the COVID‐19 pandemic demonstrated the potential of mHealth in communicating health information. Body: The abundance of new applications dedicated to various medical specialties encourages reflection on the informed use of such tools. The paper takes a closer look at the potential of mHealth and presents conclusions of selected studies focusing on the use of good apps. The strength weakness opportunities threats analysis was used to illustrate the strengths of the mHealth strategy, as well as its advantages, limitations and areas in need of further development. Conclusion: The strength of mHealth depends on the quality and quantity of the collected patient data, its reliable processing, as well as publication of outcomes and conclusions from analyses. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the use of validated applications among patients, physicians and medical staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Popular Education in Health (PEH) is important for the empowerment of citizens in relation to their health. However, there seems to be an abyss related to communication between health professionals and the population. This study aims to identify the knowledge of Physical Therapy students at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) about PEH. This is a qualitative study in which students with an active link in the Physiotherapy course at UFPE were recruited. Participants were instructed to read the inducing theme "PEH" and associate the first five words that came to their mind. The data collection was carried out remotely through the Google Forms platform and analyzed by the Iramuteq software. The final sample consisted of 49 students from all ten periods of the course. The words most cited by the students were: "prevention", "Unified Health System (SUS)", "I don't know/I don't remember", "knowledge" and "collective health". Therefore, although future physiotherapists have contact and recognize the PEH theme, the terms associated with it are still presented in a reductionist way. The results point to the need for strategies that can foster knowledge of PEH as means of achieving social transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]