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When a large language model was prompted to discuss upper extremity conditions and correct instances of misinformation in responses, there was notable persistent misinformation, reinforcement of unhelpful thinking and reduction of independent management of one's health (agency). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how essential retailers responded to the COVID-19 pandemic through stakeholder communications. Based on a comprehensive text analysis of the corporate websites of the 20 largest U.S. essential retailers during the first 19 months of the crisis, we categorize the public health measures communicated by these retailers and assess how these retailers adapted their messaging to address the concerns of different stakeholders over time. This analysis allowed us to create a framework for understanding the flow of retailer/stakeholder communication during a health crisis, highlighting the important role businesses can play in alleviating stakeholder concerns when public health is on the line. We discuss the implications of our findings for retailers and public policy, aiming to enhance preparedness and response for future health emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a profound influence on the global landscape, jeopardizing public health and transforming the daily lives of countless individuals. Navigating the complexities of public health communication during this crisis has emerged as a paramount challenge for both governmental institutions and media entities. In response to this quandary, we executed an extensive analysis of 929 official Chinese reports pertaining to COVID-19 on social media platforms, spanning from 7 November 2022, to 7 January 2023. Utilizing the sophisticated methodology of Analysis of Topic Model Networks (ANTMN), we discerned three overarching frameworks (Social Health Resources, Official Public Health Actions, and Dissemination of Health Knowledge) and nine salient themes (Medical Infrastructure, Collective Public Health Initiatives, Epidemiological Trajectories, Governmental Health Interventions, Temporary Recesses, Public Health Regulations, Community-Based Public Health, Medical Supply Distribution, and Health Information Dissemination). Moreover, by juxtaposing media coverage before and after the Chinese government's adjustment in epidemic policy, we unveiled substantial disparities in the framing and thematic foci among various tiers and genres of media outlets. Our findings illuminate the intricate nature of public health reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic and underscore the necessity for a judicious appraisal of diverse factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Speech emotion recognition (SER) has always been a popular yet challenging task with broad applications in areas such as social media communication and medical diagnostics. Due to the characteristics of speech emotion recognition dataset, which often have small data volumes and high complexity, effectively integrating and modeling audio data remains a significant challenge in this field. To address this, we propose a model architecture that combines fine-tuned Wave2vec2.0 with Neural Controlled Differential Equations (NCDEs): First, we use a fine-tuned Wav2vec2.0 to extract rich contextual information. Then we model the high-dimensional time series feature set using a Neural Controlled Differential Equation classifier. We set the vector field as an MLP and update the model's hidden state by solving the controlled differential equation. We conducted speech emotion recognition experiments on the IEMOCAP dataset. The experiments show that our model achieves the weighted accuracy of 73.37% and the unweighted accuracy of 74.18%. Additionally, our model converges very quickly, reaching a good accuracy after just one epoch of training. Furthermore, our model exhibits excellent stability. The standard deviation of weighted accuracy (WA) is 0.45% and the standard deviation of unweighted accuracy (UA) is 0.39%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Although clinical practice guidelines for management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy recommend involvement of a general practitioner for ongoing cardiovascular disease preventative care, there are no intervention strategies embedded within primary care aimed at improving risk assessment or management for women after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The study aim was to co-design an intervention to improve implementation of cardiovascular disease risk assessment and management following hypertensive disorders of pregnancy for primary care settings in a local health district in New South Wales, Australia. Method: Using the Integrated Knowledge Translation framework, a series of five co-design meetings with the investigative team and end users were conducted online. Meetings were informed by the Behaviour Change Wheel framework for intervention development and incorporated research findings from a systematic review and meta-analysis, surveys and an online discussion. Data from activities and audio recordings following each meeting were analysed thematically using inductive–deductive thematic analysis. Results were summarized after each meeting, and findings used to inform ongoing intervention development. Results: The 18 end users included women with lived experience of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (n = 8), obstetricians (n = 2), midwives (n = 5) and general practitioners (n = 3). Target priorities were to improve communication between hospital staff and general practitioners following the occurrence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and increase the knowledge of general practitioners and women regarding cardiovascular disease prevention after cardiometabolic pregnancy complications. Part 1 of the intervention is set within the hospital setting and delivered via physical resources to address the communication gap between hospital and primary care providers about the occurrence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Part 2 is delivered via an update to an existing general practice education platform and through resources for use within consultations to provide education for women and general practitioners about cardiovascular disease prevention after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Conclusion: The Integrated Knowledge Translation and Behaviour Change Wheel frameworks aided in the development of a targeted intervention to improve implementation of cardiovascular risk assessment and management for women after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, based on gaps identified in current primary care practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have investigated the effects of metaphors in health communication. Yet, relatively little attention has been given to variations in metaphor usage when people talk about a particular disease, and what functions these metaphors may have in different communication contexts. The aim of this paper is to study the effects of metaphors in the communication of Dry Eye Syndrome (DES), which has developed into a prevalent eye disease. A systematic metaphor analysis was applied to 15 extensive blog entries and 308 survey responses which reflect people’s first-hand experiences on having dry eyes. The results showed that communication about DES is highly metaphorical and that metaphors vary in terms of underlying concepts (i.e., journey, war) and in their level of creativity in different communication contexts. When patients talk about treatments and experiences with doctors and about quality of life, conventional metaphors are overrepresented and patients often use metaphors related to a journey. When they talk about symptoms, creative metaphors are overrepresented and patients often refer to eyes/vision as objects. Paying attention to these variations provides deeper insights into how people experience and deal with DES. In a follow-up study, we asked DES patients (n = 66) which metaphors they consider particularly appropriate to describe their experience with DES. We found that personification and war-related metaphors got the highest appropriateness-ratings. Concluding, we discuss how the attention to metaphors might contribute to a more effective communication of DES in different communication contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The following systematic review explores the uses and understandings of physical, human-to-human touch engagements in healthcare professions. Given its central importance as both a diagnostic tool and a form of non-verbal communication, this review sought to understand the communicative, social and affective dimensions of touches a part of healthcare, medical or nursing interventions. We attempt to understand how touch communication seems to be structured in the literature, and what tends to be communicated via touch, but also to highlight how the dogmatic distinction between 'instrumental' and 'expressive' touches might have obscured a socio-affective matrix within all touches. Methods: The synthesis produced was informed by 36 empirical studies involving either direct observation of touch practices, or recollection and discussion with healthcare professionals. The studies were selected from five databases in March 2022. In order to minimise risks of bias, the corpus was screened by two independent reviewers and underwent quality appraisal through the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The final dataset was then analysed, synthesised and presented according to the principles of thematic synthesis. Results: We outline how medical touch has been mostly categorised as either 'instrumental' or 'expressive', with only the latter usually described as serving a communicative purpose, despite its lower incidence. We further highlight how touch seems to be operating across a fragile boundary between 'reassuring presence' and 'control', and thus requires carefulness by practitioners, and an understanding of boundaries. Then, we describe how the literature presented gender, cultural background and personal preference as elements influencing the use and perception of touch. Lastly, touch-mediated communication has been presented in some of the literature as a co-produced practice based on bodily, affective and contextual mutual attunement. Such an understanding radically reconfigures the patient as an active co-participant, as well as pushing against the conceptual boundary between instrumental and expressive touch, recognising how to affect cuts across human-made dichotomies. Conclusion: We argue that communication might happen in all instances of touch, while also advocating for empirical work to outline and describe the adaptive physical dynamics (e.g. changes in speed, pressure, temperature) that regulate and alter even medical procedures for communicative purposes. We also discuss the need for social scientists to radically re-conceptualise not only the theoretical scaffolding behind medical touch, but also the methodologies deployed to investigate it—advocating for a renewed attention to bodily and interactional dynamics, particularly through the deployment of (micro-)phenomenological tools, broader ethnographical engagements, or sensors for automatic recognition of bio-signals. Limitations: The review could be at risk of bias given it sampled only studies written in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Finnish, thus not highlighting potentially different cultural and theoretical perspectives emerging from non-EuroAmerican contexts. Moreover, only 36% of studies included discuss patients' perspectives. Systematic review registration: This review was not registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractEffective communication in healthcare can benefit from clear and engaging visual aids. Grounded in Cognitive Load Theory, Dual Coding Theory, and Visual Literacy Theory, our study investigates the impact of an instructional video designed to enhance physicians’ visual communication skills through improved clinical sketches. By collaboration of medical and fine arts disciplines, a rubric was developed for evaluating clinical sketches based on artistic principles of layout, visual clarity, style, sequence and directionality, hierarchy and colour. An instructional video was created highlighting these principles along with clinical examples (Publicly available at: https://mymedia.bu.edu/media/t/1_wgpgpl84). Four physicians created clinical sketches before and after viewing the video. The study includes pre- and post-surveys and evaluations of the sketches by artists. Survey results demonstrated a statistically significant increase in aesthetic quality across multiple categories- layout, visual clarity, style, sequence and directionality - after physicians viewed the instructional video. Physicians reported increased motivation to incorporate clinical illustrations into their practice however outlined time constraints as a barrier. Our findings highlight the efficacy of the instructional video in enhancing physicians’ ability to create informative clinical sketches. Future research should focus on integrating visual communication tools into clinics and medical education curricula to pursue patient-centred care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Despite the frequency with which patients with cancer receive radiotherapy, integrating radiation oncology data with other aspects of the clinical record remains challenging because of siloed and variable software systems, high data complexity, and inconsistent data encoding. Recognizing these challenges, the Veterans Affairs (VA) National Radiation Oncology Program (NROP) is developing Granular Radiotherapy Information Database (GRID), a platform and pipeline to combine radiotherapy data across the VA with the goal of both better understanding treatment patterns and outcomes and enhancing research and data analysis capabilities. METHODS: This study represents a proof-of-principle retrospective cohort analysis and review of select radiation treatment data from the VA Radiation Oncology Quality Surveillance Program (VAROQS) initiative. Key radiation oncology data elements were extracted from Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine Radiotherapy extension (DICOM-RT) files and combined into a single database using custom scripts. These data were transferred to the VA's Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) for integration and comparison with the VA Cancer Registry System and tumor sequencing data. RESULTS: The final cohort includes 1,568 patients, 766 of whom have corresponding DICOM-RT data. All cases were successfully linked to the CDW; 18.8% of VAROQS cases were not reported in the existing VA cancer registry. The VAROQS data contributed accurate radiation treatment details that were often erroneous or missing from the cancer registry record. Tumor sequencing data were available for approximately 5% of VAROQS cases. Finally, we describe a clinical dosimetric analysis leveraging GRID. CONCLUSION: NROP's GRID initiative aims to integrate VA radiotherapy data with other clinical data sets. It is anticipated to generate the single largest collection of radiation oncology–centric data merged with detailed clinical and genomic data, primed for large-scale quality assurance, research reuse, and discovery science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cures Rule permits patients to unfettered, immediate access of their documented health information unless medical providers ‘block’ this information. While the transparency of open notes has perceived benefits for clinic-based progress notes, the extension of the Cures Rule in its current form to include pathology reports could lead to unintended harms. Several consequences for both patient and provider are identified by examining hypothetical cases, inspired by patient and provider experiences, of misunderstood diagnoses and unexpectedly discovered cancers in seemingly benign tissue. Identified consequences include patient confusion, increased distress, harm to the patient-provider relationship, and moral injury to providers. These unintended consequences may be mitigated through several harm-reducing strategies: informed release, individualized delay, and the ‘pop-up’ warning. While each presented harm-reducing measure has pros and cons, they all have the potential to improve patient care from where it currently stands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: When seeking advice on allergy prevention in early childhood (Early Childhood Allergy Prevention, ECAP), parents often turn to health and social care providers, such as paediatricians, midwives, and family centres. However, these actors fulfil various, often care-related, roles, and cannot be considered 'health information providers' by default. In addition, although the scientific evidence for ECAP is often known by health professionals, it is not actively communicated. In this study protocol, we describe the planned procedure for the development and implementation of a process to communicate ECAP information to parents, with a focus on reaching out to those from migrant communities. Thereby, we also aim to contribute to the understanding of how to design more robust approaches to deliver health information. Methods: We have chosen the Implementation Research Logic Model as our framework for a multi-stage process. Firstly, we will map regional and local health and social care providers to find potential providers of ECAP information. We will then approach actors from each mapping category for qualitative interviews to assess facilitators and barriers to implementation. Next, we will define actions to ease the implementation process, develop exemplary ECAP information materials for parents, and deliver these to pre-selected health and social care individuals and organizations. Each step will be adapted to meet the needs and preferences of culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Finally, the process will be evaluated for key implementation outcomes (e.g., acceptability, feasibility, effectiveness) by interviewing information providers and surveying information recipients. Discussion: From a Public Health perspective, studies seem warranted that investigate how evidence from health research may be effectively communicated to the public, rather than merely focusing on, e.g., intervention development. Also, it has often been highlighted that the dissemination of health information needs to better target those who face the greatest difficulties when seeking advice, i.e. individuals/parents who recently migrated. ECAP is a good use case, as scientific evidence is constantly evolving, and the communication of information is hampered by low awareness of high quality sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate the effects of an online health education lecture on the positive screening rate of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and parenting stress among parents of children diagnosed with or screened positive for ADHD. Methods: Using stratified proportional random cluster sampling, 14 primary schools in Chongqing were selected to conduct an online lecture about ADHD for parents and teachers. A total of 2,611 questionnaires were collected (1,508 intervention group, 1,103 control group). Results: The lecture did not significantly affect the positive screening rate of ADHD (parents: β=-0.37, p=0.208; teachers: β=0.53, p=0.338); however, the positive screening rate increased post-intervention. Inattention scores were higher in the intervention group (β=0.42, p=0.040). Parents as primary caregivers were associated with lower ADHD symptom scores (β=-0.61, p=0.022). Lower parental education levels were associated with higher ADHD screening rates (β=0.49, p=0.039) and symptom scores (β=0.60, p=0.022). Teachers with 10-19 years of experience had higher positive screening rates (β=1.26, p=0.005) and symptom scores (β=2.60, p<0.001). The intervention did not affect parenting stress (Z=-1.413, p=0.158). Conclusions: The lecture's effects were relatively weak, using questionnaires may have facilitated health communication. Individual characteristics of parents and teachers should be considered in assessments (ClinicalTrial.gov ID: NCT05231902). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-design, a collaborative approach where end-users are actively involved in design processes, has gained traction in health communication. Its integration into health communication initiatives holds promise for amplifying the voices of people with disability. Despite this, its application remains inconsistent. This scoping literature review explores how people with disability are included, when and through what methods to co-design health communication interventions. Principles of importance are considered and identified. Thirty articles published between 2018 and 2023 were reviewed. The review identified a range of methods used in health communication initiatives, with people with disability engaging at different stages and in different ways. While co-design offers potential for improved health communication, challenges such as unpredictable outcomes, diversity of participant needs, and barriers to full engagement persist. Improved transparency and consistency in reporting co-design processes are recommended to enhance rigor and effectiveness of future initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Awe, a self-transcendent emotion that can transform our egocentric perspective, has the potential to reduce the resistance to freedom-threatening messages. However, no research has yet offered empirical evidence in health and environmental communication contexts. The present research aims to bridge this gap by explicating whether and how awe alleviates psychological reactance induced by threat-to-freedom messages. We conducted a survey (N = 353, Study 1) and an online experiment (N = 419, Study 2) to examine whether trait awe and video-induced state awe can improve persuasion outcomes by mitigating psychological reactance. Results showed that trait awe was negatively associated with trait reactance. Additionally, state awe dampened state reactance by elevating self-transcendence and diminishing the perceptions of threat to freedom and reactance, which improved one’s attitudes toward the message advocacy and behavioral intentions. However, this effect was only supported with the issue of climate change rather than sun protection. Theoretical contributions and practical implications for leveraging awe appeal in strategic communication are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The language used in research and health programs is crucial in influencing participation and ensuring the acceptability of programs and the adoption of research outcomes. The use of alienating language may present a barrier for research participants hence the need to identify accurate, respectful, relevant, and acceptable terms for respective study populations. The study explored commonly used terminologies during research involving pregnant and lactating mothers using public engagement and participatory approaches in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted in August 2023 among 5 ethnically diverse communities with different languages and from different regions across Uganda. Data were collected through 18 focus group discussions (FGDs) comprising community members and one comprising the community advisory board (CAB) using a participatory approach. An interview guide exploring perceptions and experiences on research, common and preferred terms for specific terminologies used among pregnant and lactating mothers as well as disliked words guided the discussion. Transcription was done verbatim in English. Nvivo version 14 software was used to organize and manage the data appropriately based on themes and subthemes. Results: A consensus on the preferred terminologies to communicate about our research studies involving pregnant and lactating mothers was reached. The study revealed that words used in research that did not specify sex were described as disrespectful, inappropriate or confusing. Language defining a person on the basis of anatomical or physiological characteristics was considered 'embarrassing' and labelling individuals based on their conditions was construed as stigmatising. Participants recommended that researchers be mindful of any terms that could be perceived as embarrassing or inappropriate within the community, ensure clear communication of research terms to participants, and train healthcare workers on the use of appropriate health language. The importance of providing feedback regarding study findings was emphasised. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of using culturally sensitive language in health research to improve engagement and participation. By adopting community-preferred terms, researchers can avoid confusion and stigma fostering respectful health communication. The findings offer guidance for future research, advocating for community-driven inclusive language in research involving pregnant and breastfeeding women. For healthcare workers, training in empathetic communication and cultural competence is crucial to improve patient interactions and promote dignity in healthcare settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common pediatric liver malignancy, with its significant heterogeneity complicating the identification of the most aggressive subtypes and the development of targeted therapies. In this study, we performed transcriptomic analysis of HB samples from the GEO database and identified three distinct molecular subtypes with varying prognostic outcomes. Among them, the proliferative subtype, characterized by enhanced proliferative capacity, poor prognosis, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, was particularly notable. ACSL4 emerged as a critical biomarker of this proliferative subtype, driving HB cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of ACSL4 using abemaciclib significantly suppressed tumor growth in xenograft models. Mechanistically, ACSL4 was found to promote cell proliferation by downregulating the interferon response signaling pathway which may implicate contribution to immunosuppression in the tumor. These findings underscore the pivotal role of ACSL4 in HB progression and highlight its potential as a therapeutic target for aggressive HB subtypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dementia poses a huge challenge – not only to the persons living with the condition but also to their family and friends. Recent research has demonstrated that engaging in creative activities can serve as a coping mechanism to deal with the dementia of a loved one. An art exhibition was created to communicate this insight to a broader audience. As indicated by interviews with exhibitors and visitors as well as an analysis of notes that visitors left in the exhibition, the exhibition helped generating important knowledge regarding the usefulness of creative activities, opened new perspectives on dementia, and provided a platform for exchange and solidarity that inspired individuals to think and behave differently. In sum, this suggests that arts-based exhibitions can be a powerful tool for health communication and science communication and for broadening the societal discourse in the context of dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although the development of digital mental health support for people with psychosis has been increasing, the development and opportunities to access this have been more limited compared to other mental health conditions. Qualitative research exploring the experiences of using digital interventions amongst people with psychosis is even less well developed; however, such research is crucial in capturing the experiences of using digital interventions to ensure they are meeting the needs of people with psychosis. This paper aimed to synthesise qualitative data related to the experiences of people with psychosis who have used digital interventions. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted of articles published between 1992 and October 2023 using PubMed, MBase, PsycINFO, & OVID Medline. Two reviewers independently reviewed and screened 268 papers. Papers that met inclusion criteria were quality assessed using The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) qualitative studies checklist. The Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) checklist was used to guide the structure of the report. Results: A thematic synthesis of 19 studies revealed six overarching themes which related to different aspects and features of the digital interventions: participants' relationship with technology; the accessibility of the interventions; how the interventions could impact on individuals' awareness and management of mental health; enhanced communication and relationships; and opportunities for reflection. Conclusions: Benefits of using digital interventions are discussed. Areas for development and improvements are highlighted. Finally, recommendations for stakeholders who develop and implement digital interventions for psychosis are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Minimizing electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) uptake and encouraging vaping cessation have become important components of public health agendas. Given the success of well-designed anti-smoking campaigns, attention has turned to developing health communications that target vaping. Although prior work has identified a range of potentially effective campaign messages, several gaps in the literature remain. We aimed to (1) identify message themes perceived to be effective at minimizing e-cigarette use and (2) elicit opinions on how these message themes could be optimized in terms of message execution and delivery. Aims and Methods Focus groups (FG; n  = 16) were conducted with adolescents (14- to 15- and 16- to 17-year-olds), young adults (18- to 24-year-olds), and adults (25- to 39-year-olds). The groups reported on message themes they believed would assist with minimizing e-cigarette use. They then provided feedback on 14 message themes developed by the research team. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Groups discussed a range of message themes they believed would be effective. These included themes focused on the health harms associated with vaping, the chemical ingredients in e-cigarettes, use dependence, and social attitudes to use. Groups discussed the importance of using evidence-based personal testimonies and reported that messages would be most effectively communicated via social media, in public places, and at point of sale. Conclusions Results build on existing research by identifying message themes perceived to be most effective, and how these could best be executed. Results have the potential to inform the development of co-designed health communication campaigns addressing youth vaping. Implications Using a stratified FG methodology, we collected rich and detailed qualitative data on Australians' perceptions of anti-vaping message themes. The themes considered most effective were those that addressed the health harms of vaping, the chemical ingredients in e-cigarettes, the social consequences of use, and the impacts of dependence. We recommend further work to develop and trial a range of specific anti-vaping messages based on the themes identified as having the most potential. This process should include iterative co-design with the target audience to optimize future health communication campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical Internet of Things (IoT) systems can be used to monitor and treat patient health conditions. Security and privacy issues in medical IoT services are more important than those in any other IoT-enabled service. Therefore, various mutual authentication and key-distribution schemes have been proposed for secure communication in medical IoT services. We analyzed Hu et al.'s scheme and found that an attacker can impersonate legitimate sensor nodes and generate illegitimate session keys using the information stored in the sensor node and the information transmitted over the public channel. To overcome these vulnerabilities, we propose a scheme that utilizes physically unclonable functions to ensure a secure session key distribution and increase the computational efficiency of resource-limited sensor nodes. In addition, the proposed scheme enhances privacy protection using pseudonyms, which we prove using a formal security analysis tool, ProVerif 2.05. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines whether and how exposure to information about health disparities from mediated and interpersonal sources and political trust are jointly associated with policy support and political advocacy. Using a two-wave panel survey design with a national U.S. sample, we found that political trust moderated the association between exposure to health-disparities information from interpersonal sources and policy support. Specifically, a negative relationship between exposure from interpersonal sources and policy support was observed among respondents with a lower than average level of political trust. In contrast, respondents with a higher than average level of political trust showed a positive association between exposure from interpersonal sources and policy support. Among respondents with average level of political trust, the relationship between exposure from interpersonal sources and policy support was generally flat. In addition, exposure to health-disparities information from media sources was positively related to political advocacy after controlling for possible confounders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study aimed to develop anatomical models of dogs with vascular malformations using 3D printing. This article details their creation process and compares the final models with 3D reconstructions obtained from computed tomography (CT) scans. The CT scans were converted into printable 3D files using 3DSlicer software. These files were then edited using Blender software. The physical anatomical models were generated from the 3D files using the J750™ Digital Anatomy™ printer. The reconstruction of the CT scan for comparison with the 3D models was carried out using the RadiAnt DICOM Viewer software. Despite the limitations observed in the software used, we believe that the anatomical models developed by 3D printing were able to effectively represent the anatomy of the patients and the vascular malformations, demonstrating good equivalence with the 3D reconstructions of the CT scans. The aim of this study was to develop three-dimensional anatomical models of dogs with congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (CEPSs) using 3D printing, as well as to detail their development process and compare the final models to volume rendering (VR) derived from computed tomography (CT) scans. CT scans in the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format of two canine patients were used—one with splenocaval deviation and the other with right gastrocaval deviation. The images were segmented using 3DSlicer software, generating 3D files in Standard Tessellation Language (STL) format, which were then subjected to refinement and mesh adjustment using Blender software. The models were printed on a J750™ Digital Anatomy™ printer, followed by post-processing in a 2% sodium hydroxide solution for 72 h, with subsequent rinsing to remove support resin residues. The printed models showed colored anatomical structures, including the liver; spleen; kidneys; part of the arterial, venous, and portal circulations; and CEPSs. For comparison purposes, VR of the scans was recreated in the RadiAnt DICOM Viewer software. Despite some limitations of the segmentation software, the 3D-printed models effectively represented the anatomy of the patients and the CEPSs, demonstrating good equivalence to the VR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We conducted a systematic review of the literature on online health memes to (a) detect and describe the available research, (b) identify key findings, and (c) delineate future research needs/opportunities. Data Source: Databases, communication and public health journals, and ancestry search. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Empirical studies, in English, published in peer-reviewed academic journals, and focused on memes to discuss health-related topics. Data Extraction: We scrutinized 357 empirical articles and included 35. Data Synthesis: Descriptive summary of the locations where studies were conducted, the health topics addressed, theories and methods used, features of memes analyzed, study outcomes, and researchers' challenges. Results: Most studies were conducted in the USA (n = 14); focused on COVID-19 (n = 15); were a-theoretical (n = 19); and quantitative (n = 19). Most explored the themes and use of the memes available online (n = 19); compared meme variations (n = 12) by health issue, content, or participants' group; examined meme' effects on health outcomes (n = 1); or evaluated memes as part of a health campaign (n = 3). We summarized the studies' limitations and key findings. Conclusions: Memes are a promising message strategy for health promotion and education, but more research is necessary. Considering the information retrieved, we provide five specific recommendations for future research directions when studying health memes, including suggestions on the multiple health issues to address and promising theories to adopt and expand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that older adults are more susceptible to misinformation, and older adults sharing health misinformation is a growing concern. This study explores the factors influencing health misinformation sharing and relational correction among Chinese older adults from a cultural perspective. Guided by the PEN-3 cultural model, we conducted focus groups and in-depth interviews with 79 participants in China to understand the cultural and contextual factors of misinformation sharing. We found that (a) older adults actively shared health misinformation influenced by negative factors such as values of familial ties, need for respect, reciprocity, and initiation of conversation; (b) existential factors such as fact-checking tendency; (c) positive factors such as fatal information avoidance, political identify, awareness of marketing targeting, and social responsibility. Additionally, we found that older adults tend to switch to a silent mode of relational correction for factors such as harmony and face. This research extends the model’s applicability and provides localized insights for developing culturally sensitive health communication strategies to mitigate the spread of health misinformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study expands on existing research about correcting misinformation on social media. Using an experimental design, we explore the effects of three truth signals related to stories shared on social media: whether the person posting the story says it is true, whether the replies to the story say it is true, or whether the story itself is actually true. Our results suggest that individuals should not share misinformation in order to debunk it, as audiences assume sharing is an endorsement. Additionally, while two responses debunking the post do reduce belief in the post's veracity and argument, this process occurs equally when the story is false (thereby reducing misperceptions) as when it is true (thus reinforcing misperceptions). Our results have implications for individuals interested in correcting health misinformation on social media and for the organizations that support their efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Continuity of medicines management can be compromised when older people are transferred between hospital and residential aged care facilities. Aim: This study explored medicines management practices at facilities during patients' transfer of care from hospital, and staff experiences with medicines information handover from hospitals. Method: An electronic cross-sectional questionnaire sent to all residential aged care facilities within a metropolitan region in Australia, in February 2022. The questionnaire comprised 23 questions covering facilities' profiles, medicines management practices, and medicines management at transfer of care from 2 public hospitals. Results: Of 53 listed facilities, 31 [58.5%] responded. Facilities varied in size ranging between < 50 and up to 200 beds. Twenty-seven [87.1%] facilities offered more than one level of care. Of those 27 facilities, 26 [96.3%] offered dementia care, and 23 [85.2%] offered palliative care. Six (19.4%) solely used hardcopy medication charts. Handover from hospitals to manage patients' medicines at transfer was inconsistent with only 15 [48.4%] reporting consistently receiving appropriate documentation. Conclusion: Residential aged care facilities varied in size and level of care. Diverse processes exist for medicines management. There is inconsistency in information received when residents transfer from hospital to facilities, potentially compromising patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Providing safety-netting advice (SNA) in out-of-hours (OOH) primary care is a recognised standard of safe care, but it is not known how frequently this occurs in practice. Aim: Assess the frequency and type of SNA documented in OOH primary care and explore factors associated with its presence. Design and setting: This was a retrospective cohort study using the Birmingham Out-of-hours general practice Research Database. Method: A stratified sample of 30 adult consultation records per month from July 2013 to February 2020 were assessed using a safety-netting coding tool. Associations were tested using linear and logistic regression. Results: The overall frequency of SNA per consultation was 78.0% (1472/1886), increasing from 75.7% (224/296) in 2014 to 81.5% (220/270) in 2019. The proportion of specific SNA and the average number of symptoms patients were told to look out for increased with time. The most common symptom to look out for was if the patients' condition worsened followed by if their symptoms persisted, but only one in five consultations included a timeframe to reconsult for persistent symptoms. SNA was more frequently documented in face-to-face treatment-centre encounters compared with telephone consultations (odds ratio [OR] 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09 to 2.85, P = 0.02), for possible infections (OR 1.53, 95% CI = 1.13 to 2.07, P = 0.006), and less frequently for mental (versus physical) health consultations (OR 0.33, 95% CI = 0.17 to 0.66, P = 0.002) and where follow-up was planned (OR 0.34, 95% CI = 0.25 to 0.46, P<0.001). Conclusion: The frequency of SNA documented in OOH primary care was higher than previously reported during in-hours care. Over time, the frequency of SNA and proportion that contained specific advice increased, however, this study highlights potential consultations where SNA could be improved, such as mental health and telephone consultations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medical regulation of chest pain is challenging due to the multitude of potential diagnoses. The key challenge is to avoid misdiagnosing acute coronary syndrome while preventing over-triage. The SCARE score (based on age, sex, smoking, typical coronary pain, inaugural pain, sweats, and dispatcher's conviction) classifies patients as low, intermediate, or high risk of acute coronary syndrome. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of the SCARE score among patients calling with chest pain. Methods: This single-center prospective study was conducted at the Charleville-Mézières Emergency Medical Communication Centre. Data collection included standardized questionnaires and call tape reviews. The SCARE score was compared with final diagnoses from medical records. Results: From October 2 to November 16, 2023, 194 patients were included, with 32 (16%) diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome. Of these, 24 patients (75%) were managed by a prehospital medical team. The AUROC for the SCARE score was 0.80 [95% CI 0.73—0.87]. At a low-risk threshold (26), sensitivity was 100% [95% CI 89—100] and specificity was 45% [95% CI 37—53]. At a high-risk threshold (36), sensitivity was 72% [95% CI 53—86] and specificity was 70% [95% CI 63—77]. Conclusion: The SCARE score exhibited excellent sensitivity and overall acceptable performance in predicting acute coronary syndrome in patients calling with non-traumatic chest pain. Trial registration: ID-RCB 2023-A01672-43. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how health influencers (HIs) and medical professionals (MPs) use epistemic stance to shape menopause treatment discourse on YouTube, a popular platform for digital health communication. Using a corpus-assisted approach, it analyzes mental and communication verbs controlling (that-)complement clauses across the two speaker groups. The quantitative results show that both HIs and MPs frequently express certainty, with HIs favoring speculative mental verbs (e.g. think, believe) and MPs predominantly relying on reporting verbs (e.g. state, explain). Further qualitative analysis reveals divergent stance-taking strategies: HIs combine subjective viewpoints with information to build emotional connections and solidarity, while MPs adopt an authoritative stance, channeling external evidence to establish credibility. The findings expound the dangers of health disinformation, as HIs tend to base claims on personal beliefs rather than scientific facts, potentially misleading viewers. To address this, MPs should prioritize clear, evidence-based communication and develop interactive strategies to engage online audiences effectively. The study foregrounds the tension between building trust and audience engagement, calling for improved digital literacy to critically assess online health content and the persuasive discursive strategies employed by influencers. Its insights contribute to understanding epistemic stance in digital health communication and offer some recommendations for mitigating misinformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research on the potential therapeutic value of psychedelic substances has led to changes in media representation and drug policy in some U.S. states. Yet, little is known about lay perceptions of these substances. The current study aimed to describe health perceptions of psychedelic substances, test differences in perceptions of therapeutic vs. recreational use of psychedelic substances, and determine if such perceptions vary by use experience. Participants (N = 309) completed an online within-subjects experiment in which they responded to measures of positive and negative perceptions of therapeutic and recreational use of psychedelics. Endorsement of positive and negative health perceptions of psychedelics was moderate to strong. Recreational use was perceived as having more negative health consequences, while therapeutic use was perceived as having more positive health consequences. Participants who reported lifetime psychedelic use (40.7%) perceived both recreational and therapeutic uses as having more positive health consequences, and this pattern was consistent across most perception domains. The outcomes suggest that public perceptions of use may change based on reason for use. This information may aid in filling current gaps in knowledge and identifying potential targets for public health communications, and such approaches may benefit from considering prior use experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores young adults' perceptions, behaviors, and how they navigated pandemic-related information, drawing from social cognitive theory. In the digital age, young people, characterized as "digital informavores," actively seek, consume, and share information, playing a crucial role in health communication. The research, involving participants aged 18–30 in two urban centers in Nigeria, focused on COVID-19 socio-health concerns, including social distancing, masking, sanitizing, movement restrictions, vaccination, infection, testing, and treatment. The analysis, employing the social cognitive lens, and following a critical thematic approach, indicates that the degree of infodemic exposure experienced during the pandemic impacted participants' understanding, attitudes, behaviors, and risk perceptions. Participants primarily relied on digital sources and social support systems for pandemic-related health information. Their self-efficacy and risk perceptions, as well as pandemic-induced affectations, were evident throughout the data. Attitudes toward the pandemic evolved from its onset, through the announcement and easing of the national lockdown, to the vaccination rollout. Dominant perceptions included the use of "copy and paste solutions" in Nigeria's pandemic response, COVID-19 denialism, and politicization of the pandemic, leading to mistrust in government and health authorities. The pandemic's impacts included mental health issues and economic hardship, particularly in a country lacking social security or welfare plans. Following a low vaccination rate among participants, the data revealed vaccine lethargy, "vaccinformation void," vaccine misinformation, vaccine distrust, and vaccine inaccessibility, due to various reasons and factors at play. Some young adults adhered to health rules due to fear and anxiety, while others were nonchalant, overwhelmed by the rules or discouraged by others' non-compliance. The young adults' imaginaries and behaviors were influenced by sociocultural intermediaries, religious and political actors, and Nigeria's socio-economic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To clarify the screening behavior and influencing factors of females with breast cancer and cervical cancer in suburban areas and to provide a scientific basis for the subsequent implementation of targeted health education, intervention measures and the formulation of relevant policies. Methods: This study used a multi-stage stratified random sampling method to select 4, 000 women in urban and rural areas of Beijing to analyze their behavior, basic situation, and influencing factors regarding cervical and breast cancer screening. Results: The sample size of the final included valid analysis was 3861 people, and the screening rate was 27.25% for cervical cancer, 20.64% for breast cancer, 30.46% for at least one screening and 17.43% for both cervical cancer and breast cancer screening. The rate of four screening conditions was greater in urban areas (PCervical cancer screening = 31.1%, PBreast cancer screening = 22.0%, PAt least one = 33.9%, PBoth cancers were screened = 19.1%) than in rural areas (PCervical cancer screening = 22.6%, PBreast cancer screening = 19.0%, PAt least one = 26.2%, PBoth cancers were screened = 15.4%) and was greater with medical insurance (PCervical cancer screening = 28.7%, PBreast cancer screening = 21.7%, PAt least one = 32.0%, PBoth cancers were screened = 18.5%) than without medical insurance (PCervical cancer screening = 12.8%, PBreast cancer screening = 10.3%, PAt least one = 15.6%, PBoth cancers were screened = 7.5%). The highest percentage of the four screening conditions was found in the 45–59-year-old group (PCervical cancer screening = 36.0%, PBreast cancer screening = 29.8%, PAt least one = 39.5%, PBoth cancers were screened = 26.4%). The rate of cervical cancer screening behavior increased with increasing education level and family per capita monthly income, and the highest percentage of respondents had a college education or above (PCervical cancer screening = 35.2%, PBreast cancer screening = 23.6%, PAt least one = 38.2%, PBoth cancers were screened = 20.6%), as did the percentage of families whose per capita monthly income was above 15, 000 yuan (PCervical cancer screening = 34.7%, PBreast cancer screening = 27.3%, PAt least one = 38.3%, PBoth cancers were screened = 23.6%). Multivariate analysis revealed that an age range of 45 to 59 years (PAll four screening conditions were obtained<0.001), an education level of junior high school, a high school (PAll four screening conditions were obtained<0.001), a college education or above (PAll four screening conditions were obtained<0.001), a marital status of a spouse (PAll four screening conditions were obtained<0.001), a divorce status (PAll four screening conditions were obtained<0.001) or a widowhood status (PAll four screening conditions were obtained<0.001), and a medical insurance status (PAll four screening conditions were obtained<0.001) were positively correlated with the percentages of the four screening behaviors. Conclusion: The level of "two- cancer" screening behavior of suburban residents in Beijing still warrants improvement, and precision nutrition and health communication and intervention should be carried out continuously for rural residents, individuals under age 45, unmarried individuals, individuals with a primary school education and below, and people without medical insurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With innovations in health information technology, there are increasing opportunities to search for health information online, with the potential to reduce health care costs and improve health outcomes for the family. This study aims to investigate how family communication processes influence online health information seeking for oneself (self OHIS) and for another person (surrogate OHIS). An online survey was conducted among 325 adults in China. The results showed that family conversation orientation was positively related to family health history (FHH) communication intentions, whereas family conformity orientation was negatively related to FHH communication intentions. Family conversation orientation was positively related to self and surrogate OHIS through the partial and masking mediation effects of FHH communication intentions, respectively. Family conformity orientation was negatively related to self OHIS through the full mediating effect of FHH communication intentions, while FHH communication intentions played a masking mediating role between conformity orientation and surrogate OHIS. Implications for extending family communication patterns research to health communication and cultural forces on OHIS are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) is widely recognized as a critical intervention that significantly reduces no-flow time, improving survival rates in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). This study evaluates current practices and the organization of DA-CPR in Italian emergency medical communication centers (EMCCs) and identifies areas for improvement. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and May 2024 among all Italian EMCCs, achieving a 92.6% response rate (62 out of 67) and covering 95.5% of the population. Data were collected on the availability of DA-CPR, additional medical instructions provided, standardized protocols, integration into dispatch software, availability of video call systems, and follow-up programs. Results: All responding EMCCs provide DA-CPR, with 79.1% (n = 49) initiating these protocols more than five years ago. In adult cardiac arrest, 74.2% (n = 46) provide instructions for chest compressions only. Standardized protocols are used in 69.4% (n = 43) of EMCCs, and 53.2% (n = 33) have these protocols integrated into their dispatch software. Additionally, 93.5% (n = 58) provide dispatcher-assisted instructions for other medical conditions, including pediatric CPR (90.3%, n = 56), neonatal CPR (90.3%, n = 56), foreign body airway obstruction (85.5%, n = 53), labor (56.5%, n = 35), and massive bleeding (41.9%, n = 26). A training path for DA-CPR is available in 48 EMCCs (77.4%), and in most cases, it is included in the basic dispatcher course (56.5%, n = 36), with 50% conducting periodic retraining. Moreover, 33.9% (n = 21) utilize video call systems to support dispatcher-assisted instructions. Data on DA-CPR are collected by 46.8% of EMCCs (n = 29), primarily on relevant cases, but only 25.8% (n = 16) have a follow-up path for patients. Conclusions: This study highlights a widespread implementation of DA-CPR across Italian EMCCs. However, regional disparities, mainly in protocols and technological support, indicate areas requiring urgent attention. Enhancing training programs and standardizing protocols could improve DA-CPR effectiveness and patient outcomes, thus guaranteeing equitable care nationwide. Future initiatives should focus on integrating support tools like video calls, expanding retraining programs, and establishing follow-up and debriefing paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundResultsConclusionsSearching for health information is critical for maintaining one’s health and reducing risk of disease, including cancer. However, some people are more likely to experience challenges in finding and comprehending health information; therefore, it is important to measure health information-seeking behavior. In order to add to prior research conducted with the scale, this study provides the first formal evaluation of the validity and reliability of the four-item, cancer-focused Information Seeking Experience (ISEE) scale in a cross-sectional, nationally representative health survey of U.S. adults.Results indicated that the four ISEE scale items were within limits of normality (skew range = -.44–.11; kurtosis range = -1.07 – −.71), exhibited medium to strong pairwise correlations (r’s = .54–.72), and indicated a strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .85). The scale was unidimensional (CFI = .997, TLI = .992, SRMR = .012), and the scale demonstrated construct validity with known sociodemographic characteristics. As predicted, the ISEE scale had relatively weak relationships with the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety, Patient-Centered Communication Scale, and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Instrumental Support 4a, demonstrating discriminant validity.Tracking information-seeking experience in the population is critical, especially to inform efforts that ensure individuals have accessible, understandable, and reliable information about cancer. The ISEE scale was found to assess various aspects of cancer information-seeking in a reliable and valid manner and may be used in future surveys to track information support needs of those who seek health and cancer information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infotainment is an effective and widely used way of spreading health information. However, the specific mechanism of its effects remains unclear. This study analyzed 215,020 user comments under a popular health animation – the Cells at Work – on Bilibili.com, using the GPT-2 method. The analysis found that when faced with such an infotainment health communication text, audiences’ subsequent expressions of health attitudes and related changes were limited, indicating that the effectiveness of infotainment as a means of health communication should not be overestimated. Audiences have different reactions to the health information and entertainment parts of such infotainment. The effect of health information in arousing changes in audiences’ health attitudes is lower than that of the entertainment. This indicates that we need to reconsider the balance between the health information and entertainment parts involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applies protection motivation theory (PMT) to the COVID-19 contact-tracing context by including privacy concerns, collective efficacy, and a mediator (fear of COVID-19) and tests it in the US and South Korea. The study uses a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach and a sample of 418 Americans and 444 South Koreans. According to the results, fear was positively associated with adoption intentions in the US sample but not in the Korean sample. Coping appraisals positively affected adoption intentions in both samples. However, while all types of coping appraisals were significant in the Korean sample, response efficacy was the only significant predictor among US participants. Privacy concerns were negatively associated with adoption intentions in the US sample, but not in the Korean sample. The results indicate that differences exist in the mediating role of fear connecting threat appraisals and adoption intentions in both countries. These findings hold important implications for future studies in AI-based health communication, especially in the areas of privacy management, protection motivation, and diverse cultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to psychological reactance theory, individuals who perceive a threat to or loss of valued behavior will experience reactance – an amalgam of anger and negative cognitions that motivates an effort to regain behavioral freedom. The limited effects of health communication interventions have often been attributed to psychological reactance, and previous research has tended to focus on how to design health messages that mitigate this phenomenon. However, the motivational nature of reactance suggests that it might also be used to promote health. When people learn that external influences circumvent a positive health behavior, this information may elicit reactance, motivating them to exhibit that behavior. This idea found support in the results of a preregistered experiment (N = 358), showing that participants were more willing to reduce meat consumption when they experienced reactance after reading about how the food industry undermines self-determined dietary decisions. The findings indicate that harnessing reactance to leverage behavior change may offer a promising alternative to established communication strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This pilot study evaluated a telehealth training simulation program for practicing clinicians, specifically focused on addressing patient issues of equity and access to healthcare via improving telehealth communication. Methods: Participants participated in a one-hour simulation experience with two cases. Performance was assessed pre- and post-intervention using a checklist measuring communication domains related to equity and access in telehealth. Participant satisfaction was secondarily measured via survey. Results: Results showed measurable gains in clinicians' abilities to effectively incorporate equity and access communication skills. Participants found the session useful and recommended the training experience. Conclusions: The findings of this pilot study highlight the potential of simulation-based telehealth training for practicing clinicians, emphasizing clinicians' attention to patients' equitable access to healthcare. Future studies should aim to explore the durability of learning and investigate the generalizability of this training approach to other telehealth competencies and settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sexual health communication between general practitioners (GPs) and individuals with chronic diseases is well documented as an important component of sexual well-being. However, a notable gap exists in understanding factors that contribute to sexual health communication in the endometriosis context. Endometriosis-related research has focused on the assessment of sexual functioning and its role in influencing health-related quality of life, with a limited understanding of the management of sexual well-being in primary healthcare settings. Aim To explore how individuals with endometriosis perceive their experiences of sexual health communication with GPs to understand the barriers and facilitators of this communication in general practice. Methods This study formed part of a larger online quantitative survey measuring psychological and sexual well-being in individuals with endometriosis. In total 141 participants provided responses via open-ended unlimited free-text questions focused on their experiences of sexual health communication with GPs, including their perspectives on barriers and facilitators. Results Four overarching themes regarding barriers to sexual health communication were identified through thematic template analysis: (1) systemic factors; (2) practitioner factors; (3) patient factors; and (4) interpersonal factors. Facilitators mirrored strategies to address these barriers. Additionally, participants offered recommendations for developing resources to improve sexual health communication. Clinical Implications Despite patients' interest, sexual health concerns in endometriosis are commonly overlooked in general practice due to various barriers, which individuals suggest could be addressed through comprehensive GP education and practical aids including communication tools. Strengths and Limitations Although the sample is large for a qualitative study, the potential selection bias—stemming from participants' high levels of sexual dysfunction and motivation to discuss sexual health with a GP—may limit the diversity of perspectives. GP perspectives were not evaluated, precluding any assessment of the accuracy of individuals' perceptions of practitioner factors. Conclusions Individuals with endometriosis encounter various systematic, practitioner, personal, and interpersonal factors that hinder or facilitate sexual health communication in general practice. Future research should prioritize strategies to improve sexual health communication for both GPs and patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID‐19) has influenced billions and has significantly affected the public medical care. Because of rising distrust toward the affectability of RT‐ PCR as screening technique, clinical imaging like registered tomography offers incredible potential as option. Notwithstanding, openly accessible COVID‐19 imaging information is restricted which prompts over fitting of conventional methodologies. To address this issue, the incumbent article proposes the segmentation of Corona Virus with Edge Based Segmentation and Grey Level Co‐occurrence Matrix‐CNN model, a creative mechanized division pipeline for COVID‐19 tainted districts in the lungs, which can deal with little datasets by use as variation information bases. For the screening of COVID‐19, the converse record polymerase‐based chain response (RT‐PCR) has been viewed as best quality level. As a significant supplement for tests of RT‐PCR, the strategies of radiological imaging, for instance, X‐beams as also Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine). have additionally shown viability in both flow analysis, including subsequent appraisal and assessment of infection advancement. Our strategy centers on‐the‐fly age of novel and irregular picture patches for preparing by playing out a few preprocessing techniques and misusing broad information expansion. For additional decrease of the over fitting danger, we executed a standard 3D U‐Net design rather than new or computational complex neural organization structures. Through a 5‐crease cross‐approval on 150 samples of the lung sweeps of COVID‐19 patients, we had the option to build up a profoundly exact just as vigorous division model for lungs and COVID‐19 tainted locales without over fitting on the restricted information. The article will strategize accomplished GCPSO with an accuracy of 98% for lungs and 0.761 for disease. It will show that the proposed technique beats related methodologies, propels the cutting edge for COVID‐19 division and improves clinical picture examination with restricted information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hip joint replacement surgeries, specifically total hip arthroplasty (THA), play a crucial role in improving the patient's range of motion and decreasing discomfort caused by damaged hip joints. Unfortunately, obstacles such as stress on the affected area (stress shielding), bone deterioration, and implant malfunctions continue to persist. To address these challenges, the present study delves into lightweight and porous hip implants, specifically those featuring Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS), using finite element analysis (FEA). TPMS-based hip implants, namely, Gyroid and Split-P structures, are modeled as per industry standards and compared with the traditional Solid implant. Computer tomography (CT) has been taken of a femur bone. The resulting Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) images have been converted to 3D model using 3D Slicer software. Each of the 3D modeled implants is assembled with femur bone, and finally, FEA has been conducted as per ISO 7206–4:2010 standard and then compared for overall stress distribution, strain, and deformation. Split-P implant resulted in the highest stress concentrations, against the Gyroid implant, which showed stress levels well below the critical limits. Additionally, a Gyroid-based implant resulted in a 28% weight reduction as compared to the Solid implant and concluded as an excellent choice among the three implants. With a porosity of 70% against the Solid, a Gyroid implant is an excellent choice for osteointegration, thereby assisting bone growth and tissue regeneration. This study provides crucial insights while designing hip implants leading for better treatment options and elevated standards in orthopedic surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is often the case that serious, end-stage manifestations of disease result from secondary complications in organs distinct from the initial site of injury or infection. This is particularly true of diseases of the heart–lung axis, given the tight anatomical connections of the two organs within a common cavity in which they collectively orchestrate the two major, intertwined circulatory pathways. Immune cells and the soluble mediators they secrete serve as effective, and targetable, messengers of signals between different regions of the body but can also contribute to the spread of pathology. In this review, we discuss the immunological basis of interorgan communication between the heart and lung in various common diseases, and in the context of organ crosstalk more generally. Gaining a greater understanding of how the heart and lung communicate in health and disease, and viewing disease progression generally from a more holistic, whole-body viewpoint have the potential to inform new diagnostic approaches and strategies for better prevention and treatment of comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the impact of using 'Situation‐Background‐Assessment‐Recommendation' method ('SBAR') in a palliative care setting. Background: Effective handover communication is crucial for patient safety. Standardised communication tools, such as the SBAR method, are recommended to reduce errors and improve care coordination, but their use in palliative care is not investigated. Design: Mixed method study design, adhering to the GRAMMS guideline. Methods: From January to October 2021, a SBAR guide tailored for palliative care was developed using the Delphi method and implemented in a Hospice setting. Data on 150 nurse handovers were collected before and after implementation to assess changes in nursing outcomes, including medication errors, adverse events and the identification of psychological and spiritual needs. Nurses' perceptions on the handover process were gathered through a qualitative survey. Results: The SBAR guide significantly improved the handovers quality, reducing medication errors and eliminating adverse events postimplementation. The identification of psychological and spiritual needs increased during postimplementation period. Nurses also reported improved clarity, accuracy and completeness of information during handover. Conclusion: This is the first study to evaluate the impact of SBAR for handover in palliative nursing care. Findings show the added value of using communication tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This interdisciplinary study of novice, American–English speakers found two major discrepancies between their conceptualizations of external human anatomy, and the expert opinion of the scientific and medical community. In contrast to the experts, (1) more than 90% of the novices exhibit polysemy when identifying human limbs and (2) about 50% exhibit partonomic disagreement, about whether 'thumbs' are 'fingers', and ears are 'parts of' the face. Both verbal and visual test modalities were adopted in (2). No significant differences were found by modality in either case. Overall, the results about this cognitive domain support the frequent finding that, when compared to experts, novices tend to under-differentiate, making fewer specific distinctions, and use different taxonomic structures. A novel linguistic paradigm for explaining the specific findings is presented, as is their practical significance for health communications in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital health refers to the use of information and communication technologies in medicine (including smartphone apps, wearables, other non-invasive sensors, informatics and telehealth platforms) to prevent illness, deliver treatment, and promote wellness. This rapidly proliferating group of technologies has the potential to reduce harm for people with opioid use disorder (OUD) and facilitate the recovery process; however, development in this space for OUD has been slower compared to that for other medical conditions. Unique issues with OUD management surrounding patient provider relationships, interaction with the healthcare system, autonomy and trust sometimes hinder care approaches, including those in digital health. The trauma informed care framework (TIC), developed for use by organizations to support individuals who have experienced trauma, has particular applicability for digital health interventions in OUD care. This manuscript will serve as a review of TIC principles and how they can be applied to digital health interventions to increase access, equity, and empowerment for people with OUD. We will highlight representative current and pipeline digital technologies for OUD, challenges with these technologies, TIC models for OUD, and the integration of TIC principles into digital technology development to better serve people with OUD. Finally, we will posit strategies to incorporate the aforementioned principles into future research efforts. We ultimately aim to use TIC as a lens through which to develop digital technologies to help individuals with OUD while minimizing harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its global spread have left an indelible mark, disrupting multiple aspects of human life. It is therefore crucial to retrospectively analyze the factors that have contributed more to the initial inefficiency of the global response, thus enhancing preparedness and proactively addressing the risk of similar events occurring in the future. Critical areas were identified based on our expertise. Relevant bibliographic references were subsequently gathered through an open search of scientific databases to substantiate the concepts discussed in this article. The key issues that hindered an effective response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are numerous and multifaceted, and some of these will be critically examined in this article, including delayed identification of the pathogen, inadequate public health preparedness, inadequate therapeutic management, and deficiencies in laboratory diagnostics. From this analysis, key areas for improvement emerge to ensure more efficient responses to future health crises, including (i) enhancing and strengthening health information systems, (ii) improving pandemic preparedness and response planning, (iii) developing a resilient healthcare workforce, (iv) increasing investment in research and development, (v) expanding the use of telemedicine and digital health, (vi) ensuring universal access to healthcare, and (vii) improving public health communication and trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]