Patterns of social support among older adults with cancer and associations with patient-reported outcomes: A latent class analysis.

Introduction: Social support can play an important role in the care of older adults living with cancer. However, different patterns of social support, such as emotional, instrumental, informational, appraisal, and giving support need to be considered to facilitate adjustments to cancer. This study aimed to explore the distinct patterns of social support among older adults with cancer and examine the socio-demographic variables and patient-reported outcomes that may be associated with patterns of social support.

Using journey maps to understand patientreported outcome measures in the cancer journey.

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study is to demonstrate the use of patient-reported outcome measure-based journey maps in facilitating clinicians' ability to communicate with patients about their well-being at each phase of their cancer journey.

Methods: Individual semi-structured online and phone interviews were conducted with older adults in British Columbia, Canada. Participants (n = 6) were asked to describe their cancer experiences associated with their well-being score using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System revised questionnaire throughout their cancer journey (i.

Electronic patient-reported outcomes in clinical kidney practice (ePRO Kidney): a process evaluation of educational support for clinicians.

Background: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are increasingly mandated in kidney care to incorporate patients' perspectives.

Objectives: We assessed whether educational support for clinicians using electronic (e)PROs could enhance person-centered care.

Design: A process evaluation, using a mixed methods longitudinal comparative concurrent design was undertaken of educational support to clinicians on routine use of ePROs.

Patient-reported mental health and well-being trajectories in oncology patients during radiation therapy: an exploratory retrospective cohort analysis using the Ontario Cancer Registry.

Purpose: Mental health and well-being trajectories are not expected to be homogeneous in diverse clinical populations. This exploratory study aims to identify subgroups of patients with cancer receiving radiation therapy who have different mental health and well-being trajectories, and examine which socio-demographic, physical symptoms, and clinical variables are associated with such trajectories.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of radiation therapy patients diagnosed with cancer in 2017 was conducted using data from the Ontario Cancer Registry (Canada) and linked with administrative health data.

Seeing the person before the numbers: Personas for understanding patients' life stories when using patient-reported outcome measures in practice settings.

Aims: While patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly being integrated into health information technologies, one challenge has been to assist clinicians in understanding how the responses to PROMs relate to patient stories for identifying and addressing the care needs of individual patients. Personas, hypothetical representations of patients, can be used as an innovative strategy to support clinicians' use of PROMs in their practice. These personas embody patients' life stories, making them a valuable tool for understanding the person when using PROMs.

The Use of Generic Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Emergency Department Surveys: Discriminant Validity Evidence for the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey and the EQ-5D.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare discriminant validity evidence of 2 generic patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) and level 5 of EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L), for use in emergency departments (EDs).

Methods: Data were obtained via a cross-sectional survey of 5876 patients in British Columbia (Canada) who completed a questionnaire after visiting an ED in 2018. We compared the extent to which the VR-12 and the EQ-5D-5L distinguished among groups of ED patients with different levels of comorbidity burden and self-reported physical and mental or emotional health status.

Growth mixture models: a case example of the longitudinal analysis of patient-reported outcomes data captured by a clinical registry.

Background: An assumption in many analyses of longitudinal patient-reported outcome (PRO) data is that there is a single population following a single health trajectory. One approach that may help researchers move beyond this traditional assumption, with its inherent limitations, is growth mixture modelling (GMM), which can identify and assess multiple unobserved trajectories of patients' health outcomes. We describe the process that was undertaken for a GMM analysis of longitudinal PRO data captured by a clinical registry for outpatients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Implications of response shift for micro-, meso-, and macro-level healthcare decision-making using results of patient-reported outcome measures.

Purpose: Results of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used to inform healthcare decision-making. Research has shown that response shift can impact PROM results. As part of an international collaboration, our goal is to provide a framework regarding the implications of response shift at the level of patient care (micro), healthcare institute (meso), and healthcare policy (macro).

Patient-reported outcomes and the identification of subgroups of atrial fibrillation patients: a retrospective cohort study of linked clinical registry and administrative data.

Purpose: Previous research about the health and quality of life of people with atrial fibrillation has typically identified a single health trajectory. Our study aimed to examine variability in health trajectories and patient characteristics associated with such variability.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data collected between 2008 and 2016 for a cardiac registry in British Columbia (Canada) linked with administrative health data.

Nurses "Seeing Forest for the Trees" in the Age of Machine Learning: Using Nursing Knowledge to Improve Relevance and Performance.

Although machine learning is increasingly being applied to support clinical decision making, there is a significant gap in understanding what it is and how nurses should adopt it in practice. The purpose of this case study is to show how one application of machine learning may support nursing work and to discuss how nurses can contribute to improving its relevance and performance. Using data from 130 specialized hospitals with 101 766 patients with diabetes, we applied various advanced statistical methods (known as machine learning algorithms) to predict early readmission.

Interpretation and use of patient-reported outcome measures through a philosophical lens.

Purpose: As patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) increasingly become key outcome indicators in health care, there has been growing concern about the potential negative consequences that could result when interpretations are being made to inform clinical and policy decisions. Therefore, we explored theoretical issues, assumptions, and consequences of using PROMs from a philosophical point of view.

Methods: Our analysis of the literature was informed by Gadamerian hermeneutics, which emphasizes the dialectical processes that occur during interpretation, to provide insights as to how different users interpret and use standardized questions about health and quality of life.

Collaborative peer review process as an informal interprofessional learning tool: Findings from an exploratory study.

Despite numerous studies on formal interprofessional education programes, less attention has been focused on informal interprofessional learning opportunities. To provide such an opportunity, a collaborative peer review process (CPRP) was created as part of a peer-reviewed journal. Replacing the traditional peer review process wherein two or more reviewers review the manuscript separately, the CPRP brings together students from different professions to collaboratively review a manuscript.

Workplace continuing education for nurses caring for hospitalised older people.

Aims And Objectives: To develop, implement and evaluate a workplace continuing education programme about nursing care of hospitalised older people.

Background: The healthcare system cannot rely solely upon nurses' prelicensure education to prepare them to meet the evolving needs of hospitalised older patients. Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic rise in the proportion of older people in hospitals, yet many nurses do not have specialised knowledge about the unique care needs of this population.

Examining gender-related differential item functioning of the Veterans Rand 12-item Health Survey.

Purpose: Previous research suggests that gender differences in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) may reflect measurement bias rather than true differences in underlying health status. The aim of this study is to examine whether the Veterans Rand 12-item Health Survey (VR-12) allows for unbiased comparisons of physical and mental health scores across gender. The VR-12 is a generic PROM consisting of 12 items with 3-6 response options for the measurement of mental and physical health.

Avoidance of urinary catheterization to minimize in-hospital complications after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: An observational study.

Background: Contemporary transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) devices and approach present opportunities to review historical practices initially informed by early treatment development and cardiac surgery. The avoidance of urinary catheterization in the older TAVI population is a strategy to minimize in-hospital complications. The purpose of the study was to explore elimination-related complications following the phased implementation of a default strategy of avoiding urinary catheterization in patients undergoing transfemoral (TF) TAVI.

Vancouver Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Clinical Pathway: Minimalist Approach, Standardized Care, and Discharge Criteria to Reduce Length of Stay.

We describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a standardized clinical pathway to facilitate safe discharge home at the earliest time after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Between May 2012 and October 2014, the Heart Team developed a clinical pathway suited to the unique requirements of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement in contemporary practice. The components included risk-stratified minimalist periprocedure approach, standardized postprocedure care with early mobilization and reconditioning, and criteria-driven discharge home.

Personas to Guide Understanding Traditions of Gay Men Living With HIV Who Smoke.

Gay men living with HIV (GMLWH) who smoke are less responsive to generalized smoking reduction and cessation (SRC) programs than heterosexual persons. This study explored perspectives of GMLWH during the design of a web-based SRC intervention. Participatory design techniques were used to guide the creation of personas that are composite representations of a person who would use the web-based SRC intervention.

Heterosexual gender relations and masculinity in fathers who smoke.

The purpose of this research was to explore the role of masculinity and heterosexual gender relations in new and expectant fathers' explanations of their continued smoking. We conducted a secondary analysis of in-depth interviews with 20 fathers. Two themes were identified: (1) reconciling with partners to maintain a smoke-free family home; and (2) smoking to self-regulate emotions and maintain relationships.

Masculinity and Fatherhood: New Fathers' Perceptions of Their Female Partners' Efforts to Assist Them to Reduce or Quit Smoking.

Health promotion initiatives to reduce smoking among parents have focused almost exclusively on women to support their cessation during pregnancy and postpartum, while overlooking the importance of fathers' smoking cessation. This study was a secondary analysis of in-depth interviews with 20 new and expectant fathers to identify how they perceived their female partners' efforts to assist them to reduce or quit smoking. Social constructionist gender frameworks were used to theorize and develop the findings.

Appreciating the Persona paradox: lessons from participatory design sessions with HIV+ gay men.

Eliciting user requirements from HIV-positive gay men who smoke can be challenging. This is because of the complex relationship between social stigma and gender identities (e.g.