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Aims: To identify how social participation facilitates pre‐registration student nurses learning and professional development using social media. Design: A social survey using thematic analysis to explore Caribbean student nurses' views of social media usage from an open‐ended question in a survey. Methods: A qualitative analysis of student nurses from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, who completed an open‐ended question in a survey. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results/Findings The three themes identified were: (1) Social media and communication; (2) Social media and self‐care; and (3) Social media and learning. Conclusion: This paper used qualitative evidence to identify and report a new way of viewing SoMe in nursing education as a student‐centred educational learning tool. SoMe can improve the effectiveness of student nurses learning, while developing fundamental skills (open‐mindedness, critical thinking, professionalism and decision‐making) for nursing practice. Social participation and connectivism theory are embedded in student nurses' learning journey. However, it has been used by student nurses outside the traditional university teaching and their capacity to own their personal learning. To meet the new generation of student nurses' learning needs, it is important that higher education institutions develop guidance, support and use of social media for learning to support student nurses in their education as students and also future professionals. Impact This study addresses how social participation is used in social media to contribute to Caribbean student nurses' education. The main finding is the introduction of a new learning theory supporting learning using social media. This study has an impact on using social media for learning. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mental illness is a global phenomenon in society, including trained health professionals, often responding to people with mental illness based on perceptions and beliefs. The research examined "contemporary perceptions and beliefs about mental illness held by stakeholders" attending a mental health symposium in Trinidad. Methods: Data were collected using a 43-item questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS Version 22. Overall, 84 attendees working directly or experienced in mental health completed the survey. Results: Respondents believed mental illness should be treated within local community settings. Participants who were more comfortable sharing their mental health diagnosis with friends were more likely to share with others, including their employers. There was a relationship between perception of the superstitious causes of mental illness and its effects on healing. Discussion: Qualifications and experience in mental health do not reduce stigma associated with mental illness which has implications for addressing mental health literacy among health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: While Caribbean researchers have explored masculinity, socialization, and behavior, the literature has been silent on masculinity and "male sensitive" health services. This study explored masculinity and perceptions of "male sensitive" health services. Method: An interpretative, phenomenological, qualitative design that used 14 focus groups and 12 semistructured interviews among men between the ages 18 and 65 years. Results: The notion of "male sensitive" services were more of preferences like having more females, timeliness, and privacy of services rather than a specific set of services unique to men. Services were expected to be professional, offered in private spaces, timely, and as an "all in one" service with more male service providers. Discussion: Male utilization of health services may be a problem if they are not considered "sensitive" to their needs. This has implications for the reorientation of services, as well as, personnel, including increased involvement of males as health care providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2013, the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative (SCI) was formalised among The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, the University of the West Indies, and Ministries of Health in six Caribbean countries (Barbados, The Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago). The aim was to improve the outcomes and quality of life of children (<18 years) with cancer and blood disorders in the partner countries. Core activities included filling a human resource gap by training paediatric haematologists/oncologists and specialised registered nurses; improving capacity to diagnose and treat diverse haematology/oncology cases; developing and maintaining paediatric oncology databases; creating ongoing advocacy activities with international agencies, decision makers, and civil society; and establishing an integrated administration, management, and funding structure. We describe core program components, successes, and challenges to inform others seeking to improve health service delivery in a multidisciplinary and complex partnership., Competing Interests: The authors (MRM, CB, JBB, UA, CA, CBF, JC, SdY, AD, KD, BFC, TG, SG, JKM, MMK, SMS, ONO, KO, SR, CSQ, BS, MT, GW, JW, SZ, and VB) declare no competing interests., (© 2023 The Author(s).)