Translating Evidence-Based Self-Management Interventions Using a Stepped-Care Approach for Patients With Cancer and Their Caregivers: A Pilot Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial Design.

Background: Self-directed interventions are cost-effective for patients with cancer and their family caregivers, but barriers to use can compromise adherence and efficacy.

Aim: Pilot a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) to develop a time-varying dyadic self-management intervention that follows a stepped-care approach in providing different types of guidance to optimize the delivery of Coping-Together, a dyadic self-directed self-management intervention.

Methods: 48 patients with cancer and their caregivers were randomized in Stage 1 to: (a) Coping-Together (included a workbook and 6 booklets) or (b) Coping-Together + lay telephone guidance.

Synthetic vs nonsynthetic slings for female stress and mixed urinary incontinence: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically review objective and subjective success and surgical outcomes of suburethral sling surgery for female patients with stress or mixed urinary incontinence using synthetic vs nonsynthetic material with corresponding surgical approaches (retropubic or transobturator).

Data Sources: We systematically searched Medline, Embase, EBM Reviews, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Web of Science Core Collection using standardized Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) without date restrictions (PROSPERO-registered).

Self-care interventions to assist family physicians with mental health care of older patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes of a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has required family physicians to rapidly address increasing mental health problems with limited resources. Vulnerable home-based seniors with chronic physical conditions and commonly undermanaged symptoms of anxiety and depression were recruited in this pilot study to compare two brief self-care intervention strategies for the management of symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.

Methods: We conducted a pilot RCT to compare two tele-health strategies to address mental health symptoms either with 1) validated CBT self-care tools plus up to three telephone calls from a trained lay coach vs.

Adaptation and outcomes of a lay-guided mental health self-care model: Results of six trials.

Objective: To synthesize results of six controlled trials of self-care interventions for depression and/or anxiety, focusing on five trials in which lay guidance was compared to self-directed use of the same self-care tools.

Methods: The trials were conducted in Canada in different target populations. Self-care tools were adapted to each population.

An Evaluation of Interactive mHealth Applications for Adults Living with Cancer.

This study evaluated the quality and usefulness of interactive mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) for adults with cancer. The PRISMA guidelines were followed to add rigor to the search, as well as to the data collection and analysis. The apps available in the most used app stores (Google Play and Apple) with interactive tailored features were identified.

Improving Transitional Care for Older Adults: Results of a Patient-Centred Quality Improvement Intervention.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of a quality improvement intervention for older adults discharged from hospital to home, that used a patient-centred discharge education tool called the We conducted a pre-post evaluation of PCAP implementation among patients 65 years and older and discharged home from an acute medical or geriatric admission at two general hospitals. Two patient cohorts, PRE and POST, were analysed using administrative data ( = 3,309) and post-discharge structured interviews in a subset of patients ( = 326). Outcomes were 90-day readmissions and return emergency department (ED) visits, and transition experiences (10-item scale).

An evaluation of the suitability, readability, quality, and usefulness of online resources for patients with cancer receiving immunotherapy.

Objective: To evaluate the suitability, readability, quality, and usefulness of available online resources about the side effects of immunotherapy.

Methods: Resources were identified through online searches (Google, Microsoft Bing, and Yahoo search engines) and evaluated using the Suitability Assessment Materials (SAM), three readability formulae, the DISCERN tool (quality), and a checklist of symptom management strategies and self-management skills (usefulness). Hierarchical cluster analysis identified resources scoring highly for suitability and quality.

Adverse events associated with pessary use over one year among women attending a pessary care clinic.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The primary objective was to determine the adverse event rate associated with pessary use. Secondary objectives were to determine discontinuation, patient satisfaction, and factors associated with adverse events.

Methods: A retrospective observational study included patients attending a nurse-led pessary clinic with ≥ 1 year follow-up.

A pilot randomized controlled trial of a lay telephone coaching and web-based intervention for postpartum depression and anxiety: The MPOWER study.

Background: Mental health problems are frequent in the postpartum period, but accessible treatment options are lacking. The MPOWER study investigated whether the use of trained lay coaches could increase the uptake and effectiveness of a web-based intervention (WBI) for women with postpartum depression and/or anxiety.

Objectives: First, to compare the feasibility and acceptability of a WBI for women with postpartum depression and anxiety, with and without the addition of telephone coaching calls.

Evaluation of quality, readability, suitability, and usefulness of online resources available to cancer survivors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality, readability, suitability, and usefulness of resources publicly available to adult cancer survivors (aged 18 +) who have completed primary treatment.

Methods: Resources were identified in July 2021 through Google. Search completeness was verified using Yahoo, Bing, and MedlinePlus.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the CanSmart questionnaire to measure chronic disease self-management tasks.

Background: Psychometrically sound measures of chronic disease self-management tasks are needed to improve identification of patient needs and to tailor self-management programs. This study aimed to develop and conduct a preliminary psychometric analysis of the CanSMART questionnaire among a diverse, multimorbid Canadian population.

Methods: The data were drawn from a cross-sectional online survey to examine self-management needs and support preferences.

The Revised Identification of Seniors At Risk screening tool predicts readmission in older hospitalized patients: a cohort study.

Background: The Identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR) screening tool is a widely-used risk stratification tool for older adults in the emergency department (ED). Few studies have investigated the use of ISAR to predict outcomes of hospitalized patients. To improve usability a revised version of ISAR (ISAR-R), was developed in a quality improvement project.

Trained lay coaches and self-care cognitive-behavioral tools improve depression outcomes.

Objectives: Identify the key effective components of a depression self-care intervention.

Methods: Secondary analysis of data from 3 studies that demonstrated effectiveness of a similar depression self-care intervention (n = 275): 2 studies among patients with chronic physical conditions and 1 among cancer survivors. The studies used similar tools, and telephone-based lay coaching.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Clinical Significance of a Dyadic, Web-Based, Psychosocial and Physical Activity Self-Management Program () Tailored to the Needs of Men with Prostate Cancer and Their Caregivers: A Multi-Center Randomized Pilot Trial.

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among men. Family caregivers (often female spouses) play a key role in ensuring patients' needs are met, frequently assuming their role with no formal training, which can contribute to a high burden. The purpose of this study was to pilot -the first dyadic, Tailored, wEb-based, psychosocial and physical activity self-Management PrOgram for men with prostate cancer and their caregivers.

The effects of self-management interventions on depressive symptoms in adults with chronic physical disease(s) experiencing depressive symptomatology: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. It is estimated that 20% of adults with chronic physical diseases experience concomitant depression, increasing their risk of morbidity and mortality. Low intensity psychosocial interventions, such as self-management, are part of recommended treatment; however, no systematic review has evaluated the effects of depression self-management interventions for this population.

The PREvention Program for Alzheimer's RElated Delirium (PREPARED) cluster randomized trial: a study protocol.

Background: Delirium is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among older people admitted to both acute and long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Multicomponent interventions have been shown to reduce delirium incidence in the acute care setting (30-73%) by acting on modifiable risk factors. Little work, however, has focused on using this approach to reduce delirium incidence in LTCFs.

Adaptive web-based stress management programs among adults with a cardiovascular disease: A pilot Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART).

Objective: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of using a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) to optimize the delivery of a web-based, stress management intervention for patients with a cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: 59 patients with a CVD and moderate stress were randomized to a self-directed web-based stress management program (n = 30) or the same intervention plus lay telephone coaching (n = 29). After 6 weeks, non-responders were re-randomized to continue with their initial intervention or switched to motivational interviewing (MI).

An Evaluation of Publicly Available Smartphone Apps to Support Unpaid Cancer Caregivers.

Context: With advancements in mobile technology and increased access to smartphones, the use of Mobile Health applications (apps) has surged. These apps provide an innovative avenue for supporting cancer caregivers who face increasing burden and lack formal support; however, the quality of these apps has not been formally evaluated.

Objectives: Evaluate the quality, usefulness, therapeutic potential, and security of publicly available apps to support unpaid cancer caregivers in managing their roles and responsibilities.

Front-line emergency department nurses' and physicians' assessments of processes of elder-friendly care for quality improvement.

Introduction: Geriatric emergency department (ED) care has gained increasing importance and interest due to increasing visits in seniors.

Aim: Among ED front-line nurses and physicians, to assess and compare ratings of elder-friendly care process indicators, variability in ratings, and concurrent validity of ratings.

Methods: Four Quebec EDs' full-time registered nurses and physicians rated their geriatric care using 9 subscales.

Evaluation of online, publicly available cancer-related educational and self-management resources for symptom management.

Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate the readability, suitability, and quality of publicly available online self-management (SM) resources for people with cancer.

Methods: Resources were identified using two strategies: (1) a targeted search of 20 Canadian organizations and (2) a Google search. These were evaluated using the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM), the DISCERN tool for quality, and readability indices.

Non-pharmacological Interventions for Caregivers with Depression and Caregivers of Care Recipients with Co-morbid Depression: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Caregivers experiencing depression or caring for people experiencing depression are at risk of high burden. This systematic review examined the effect of non-pharmacological interventions for caregivers that (a) target improving caregivers' depressive symptoms, (b) help caregivers manage the depressive symptoms of the person for whom they provide care, or (c) both (a) and (b).

Methods: Eligible trials published between January 1, 1985, and May 30, 2019 were retrieved from five electronic databases.

Surgical Management of Symptomatic Apical Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically review objective and subjective success and complications of apical suspensions for symptomatic uterine or vaginal vault pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Data Sources: MEDLINE, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and EMBASE (2002-2019) were searched using multiple terms for apical POP surgeries, including comparative studies in French and English.

The effect of culturally-adapted health education interventions among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients with a chronic illness: A meta-analysis and descriptive systematic review.

Objective: To review the effectiveness of health education interventions adapted for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations with a chronic illness.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Eligible studies were identified across six databases.

CanDirect: Effectiveness of a Telephone-Supported Depression Self-Care Intervention for Cancer Survivors.

Purpose: Depression in post-treatment cancer survivors is common and can impair quality of life. CanDirect is a novel, telephone-delivered depression self-care intervention for cancer survivors. We conducted a randomized controlled superiority trial to compare CanDirect with usual care (UC) in this population.