Development and validation of a health literacy scale for family caregivers of older people with chronic illness.

Background: Family caregivers (FCs) encounter a variety of health problems in older people with chronic illness, necessitating a certain level of health literacy to access, understand, appraise and apply health information and services. This study aimed to develop and validate a scale for measuring health literacy among FCs of older people with chronic illness.

Methods: Concept mapping was first employed to develop a conceptual model of health literacy of FCs.

Developing a storybook package for bereaved siblings: a pilot study of the effectiveness for enhancing the perceived knowledge and confidence of health and social care professionals in Hong Kong.

A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the effectiveness of a storybook package for enhancing the perceived knowledge and confidence of health and social care professionals in working with bereaved child siblings and their parents before and after the loss. Open-ended questions were asked to collect feedback, and thematic analyses were conducted to generate the themes. Quantitative findings provided preliminary but not strong evidence of its effectiveness, but qualitative findings showed that participants perceived their knowledge about supporting bereaved siblings and their parents was enhanced and considered the storybook package a useful tool for facilitating their practice.

Prevalence of and factors associated with demoralization among family caregivers of palliative care patients in Hong Kong.

Objectives: This study aims to examine (1) the prevalence of demoralization among family caregivers of palliative care patients (PCP) in Hong Kong, (2) the percentage of caregivers who are demoralized but not depressed, (3) the factors associated with demoralization, and (4) the differences in caregivers' support needs between high and low levels of demoralization groups.

Methods: Ninety-four family caregivers were recruited and completed a questionnaire that included measures of demoralization, depression and caregiving strain, caregivers' support needs, and demographic information.

Results: The prevalence of demoralization among family caregivers of PCP was found to be 12.

Effects of a Family Caregiver-Delivered MultiSensory Cognitive Stimulation Intervention for Older People With Dementia During Coronavirus 2019: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background And Objectives: Many community dementia services such as home-visiting services and center-based activities were suspended during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. This study investigated the efficacy of a caregiver-delivered cognitive stimulation therapy (CDCST) on people with dementia during the pandemic.

Research Design And Methods: This was a 2-arm randomized controlled trial involving 241 patient-caregiver dyads assigned to a 15-week CDCST or control group (usual care).

Prevalence and factors associated with demoralization in palliative care patients: A cross-sectional study from Hong Kong.

Objectives: Although demoralization is common among palliative care patients, it has not yet been examined empirically in the Hong Kong Chinese context. This study aims to examine (1) the prevalence of demoralization among community-dwelling palliative care patients in Hong Kong; (2) the percentage of palliative care patients who are demoralized but not depressed and vice versa; and (3) the association of socio-demographic factors, particularly family support, with demoralization.

Method: A cross-sectional study targeting community-living palliative care patients in Hong Kong was conducted.

Facing the loss of siblings in childhood: Interactions and dynamics between bereaved siblings and their parents.

Introduction: The loss of a child in a family is a painful experience. Despite this, most studies focus on the grieving experience of parents. Our understanding of sibling bereavement therefore remains underexplored.

Effects of an internationalization at home (IAH) programme on cultural awareness among medical and nursing students in Hong Kong and Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the learning experience of students by limiting their opportunities for face-to-face intercultural exchanges. Given the importance of cultural competence in medical education, there is a need to develop a programme that promotes cultural awareness, but that offers more flexibility in terms of outbound mobility. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an internationalization at home programme and to explore the learning experiences of medical and nursing students from Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health of Palliative Care Professionals and Services: A Mixed-Methods Survey Study.

Introduction: This study aimed to examine the mental health of palliative care professionals in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic, the relationship of mental health with socio-demographic factors, and the impact of the pandemic on palliative care services.

Methods: A total of 142 palliative care professionals in Hong Kong participated in an online survey. The questionnaire includes measurements on depression, anxiety, perceived stress, post-traumatic stress, professional quality of life, items that measure the effect of COVID-19 on palliative care services, and one open-ended question for describing how the services were affected.

The Use of Modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Program for Family Caregivers of People Living with Dementia: A Feasibility Study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program for reducing the stress, depressive symptoms, and subjective burden of family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD).

Methods: A prospective, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial design was adopted. Fifty-seven participants were recruited from the community and randomized into either the modified MBSR group (n = 27) or modified MBCT group (n = 26), receiving seven face-to-face intervention sessions for more than 16 weeks.