Development of the 'ACT now & check-it-out' intervention to support patient-initiated follow up for Head and Neck cancer patients.

Objective: Current Head and Neck cancer (HNC) follow-up models are considered sub-optimal at detecting recurrences. We describe the development of a patient-initiated follow up (PIFU) trial intervention support package, to support HNC patients to engage in PIFU self-care behaviors.

Methods: An intervention mapping approach, informed by evidence synthesis, theory and stakeholder consultation, guided intervention development.

Anatomical and Clinical Characteristics of Scalp Acupuncture Systems: a Scoping Review and Synthesis.

Scalp acupuncture is a therapeutic procedure that involves inserting needles into the scalp to treat various medical conditions, including pain and neurological and psychological disorders. The inter-system variability of scalp acupuncture limits secondary analysis and evidence synthesis, delaying its inclusion into evidence-based healthcare policies and establishment as a treatment intervention recognized by Western medicine. This scoping review aimed to identify the range of scalp acupuncture systems, systematically collect and summarize information on their general, anatomical, and clinical characteristics, and build a framework for understanding scalp acupuncture systems.

Non-COVID-19 UK clinical trials and the COVID-19 pandemic: impact, challenges and possible solutions.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the operationalisation of non-COVID-19 clinical trials globally, particularly site and participant recruitment and trial success/stoppage. Trials which anticipate recruitment challenges may embed methods such as the QuinteT Recruitment Intervention (QRI) to help identify and understand the sources of challenges. Such interventions can help shed light on pandemic-related challenges.

The experience of conducting collaborative and intensive pragmatic qualitative (CLIP-Q) research to support rapid public health and healthcare innovation.

A key challenge for qualitative methods in applied health research is the fast pace that can characterize the public health and health and care service landscape, where there is a need for research informed by immediate pragmatic questions and relevant findings are required quickly to inform decision-making. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the pace at which evidence was needed to inform urgent public health and healthcare decision-making. This required qualitative researchers to step up to the challenge of conducting research at speed whilst maintaining rigor and ensuring the findings are credible.

Exploring the views of patients' and their family about patient-initiated follow-up in head and neck cancer: A mixed methods study.

Objective: The objective of this work was to explore head and neck cancer (HNC) patients' and their family members' views on acceptability and feasibility of patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU), including concerns and anticipated benefits.

Methods: Patients were recruited from UK HNC clinics, support groups and advocacy groups. They completed a survey (n = 144) and/or qualitative interview (n = 30), three with a family member.

What can be learnt from a qualitative evaluation of implementing a rapid sexual health testing, diagnosis and treatment service?

Objectives: To investigate experiences of implementing a new rapid sexual health testing, diagnosis and treatment service.

Design: A theory-based qualitative evaluation with a focused ethnographic approach using non-participant observations and interviews with patient and clinic staff. Normalisation process theory was used to structure interview questions and thematic analysis.

Evidence of changing sexual behaviours and clinical attendance patterns, alongside increasing diagnoses of STIs in MSM and TPSM.

Background: Due to rising numbers of STI diagnosis and increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, we explored trends in STI testing frequency and diagnoses, alongside sexual decision making and attitudes concerning condom use and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) at a large urban UK sexual health clinic.

Methods: We examined 66 528 electronic patient records covering 40 321 attendees between 2016 and 2019, 3977 of whom were men who have sex with men or trans persons who have sex with men (MSM/TPSM). We also explored responses from MSM/TPSM attendees sent an electronic questionnaire between November 2018 and 2019 (n=1975) examining behaviours/attitudes towards PrEP.

Reducing COVID-19 risk in schools: a qualitative examination of secondary school staff and family views and concerns in the South West of England.

Objective: To investigate student, parent/carer and secondary school staff attitudes towards school COVID-19 mitigation measures.

Methods: Recruitment used school communication, community organisations and snowball sampling in South West England. Audio recorded online or phone individual/group semi-structured interviews were conducted in July-Septtember 2020 and lasted 30-60 min.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Preexposure Prophylaxis Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Sexual Health Risk in an Age of Sexually Transmitted Infection Antimicrobial Resistance.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has helped reduce new HIV infections. However, bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have increased among PrEP users. We examined PrEP knowledge, access, and risk perceptions in an age of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Learning to breathe with Tai Chi online - qualitative data from a randomized controlled feasibility study of patients with cystic fibrosis.

Introduction: Tai Chi (TC), a gentle exercise, incorporates meditative movement and respiratory control. The high risk of cross infection for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) requires close management in healthcare settings, limiting group activities such as TC. A mixed-methods randomized controlled feasibility study compared teaching TC over the internet with in-person, face to face TC tuition provided to CF patients.

Body composition after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation/total body irradiation in children and young people: a restricted systematic review.

Purpose: To collate evidence of changes in body composition following treatment of leukaemia in children, teenagers and young adults (CTYA, 0-24 years) with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant and total body irradiation (HSCT+TBI).

Methods: Papers were identified by searching Medline and Google Scholar, reference lists/citations and contacting key authors, with no date or language restrictions. Inclusion criteria were as follows: leukaemia, HSCT+TBI, aged ≤ 24 years at HSCT and changes in body composition (total fat, central adiposity, adipose tissue function, muscle mass, muscle function).

Reporting of key methodological issues in placebo-controlled trials of surgery needs improvement: a systematic review.

Objectives: To examine key methodological considerations for using a placebo intervention in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating invasive procedures, including surgery.

Study Design And Setting: RCTs comparing an invasive procedure with a placebo were included in this systematic review. Articles published from database inception to December 31, 2017, were retrieved from Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE and CENTRAL electronic databases, by handsearching references and expert knowledge.

Complementary medicine use, views, and experiences: a national survey in England.

Background: In 2005,12% of the English population visited a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner.

Aim: To obtain up-to-date general population figures for practitioner-led CAM use in England, and to discover people's views and experiences regarding access.

Design & Setting: A face-to-face questionnaire survey was commissioned.

Children and Adults Tai Chi Study (CF-CATS2): a randomised controlled feasibility study comparing internet-delivered with face-to-face Tai Chi lessons in cystic fibrosis.

Virtual healthcare is fast entering medical practice. Research into the feasibility of using it to teach treatment regimens such as exercise has not been explored. Maintaining an exercise regime can be difficult in cystic fibrosis: group classes risk potential infection, yet motivation is hard to maintain when alone.

'Trying to put a square peg into a round hole': a qualitative study of healthcare professionals' views of integrating complementary medicine into primary care for musculoskeletal and mental health comorbidity.

Background: Comorbidity of musculoskeletal (MSK) and mental health (MH) problems is common but challenging to treat using conventional approaches. Integration of conventional with complementary approaches (CAM) might help address this challenge. Integration can aim to transform biomedicine into a new health paradigm or to selectively incorporate CAM in addition to conventional care.

Scoping review of systematic reviews of complementary medicine for musculoskeletal and mental health conditions.

Objective: To identify potentially effective complementary approaches for musculoskeletal (MSK)-mental health (MH) comorbidity, by synthesising evidence on effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and safety from systematic reviews (SRs).

Design: Scoping review of SRs.

Methods: We searched literature databases, registries and reference lists, and contacted key authors and professional organisations to identify SRs of randomised controlled trials for complementary medicine for MSK or MH.

Can it be harmful for parents to talk to their child about their weight? A meta-analysis.

Many parents express concern that raising the issue of weight risks harming their child's physical self-perceptions and wellbeing. Such concerns can deter families from engaging with weight management services. This systematic review aimed to investigate the evidence behind these concerns by analysing the association between parent-child weight-talk and child wellbeing.

Integrative treatment for low back pain: An exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal condition often treated using integrative medicine (IM). Most reviews have focused on a single complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy for LBP rather than evaluating wider integrative approaches. This exploratory systematic review aimed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and provide evidence on the effectiveness, cost effectiveness and adverse effects of integrative treatment for LBP.

Cystic fibrosis-Children and adults Tai Chi study (CF CATS2): Can Tai Chi improve symptoms and quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis? Second phase study protocol.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting respiratory and digestive systems. People with CF experience physical symptoms; cough, poor lung ventilation, recurrent infections, poor weight gain, diarrhoea, and malnutrition, as well as lower quality of life. Tai Chi, a Chinese form of meditative movement, may help with the symptoms of CF and help people with CF to exercise.

Evaluating sexual health planning for the London 2012 Olympics.

Background: The public health impact of mass gatherings should not be underestimated, requiring careful planning. This evaluation identified the successes and failures of a programme targeted to mitigate against potential increases in sexual ill health during the London 2012 Olympics.

Methods: Programme planning was evaluated using documentary analysis.

Using population segmentation to inform local obesity strategy in England.

Little is known about the views of obese people and how best to meet their needs. Amongst London boroughs Barking and Dagenham has the highest prevalence of adult obesity at 28.7%; the lowest level of healthy eating and of physical activity; and is the 22nd most deprived area of England.