Background: Depression in cancer survivors is a major concern and is associated with poor health related quality of life (HRQOL). Delaying or forgoing care due to depression may further augment poor HRQOL. Although several studies have documented depression as a barrier to health care utilization in non-cancer populations, the impact of current depression on health care utilization among adult cancer survivors (ACS) has not been fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to examine the association between current depression and health care utlization among ACS.
Methods: Data from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System involving ACS were used in this study. The Patient Health Questionnaire 8 (PHQ-8) item scale was used to measure current depression. Two indicators of health care utilization were examined as outcomes of interest: cost as a barrier to medical care and not having a routine care. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between current depression and health care utilization.
Results: Overall, 13.0% of ACS reported symptoms of current depression. Despite no differences in having access to care, current depression in ACS was a significant barrier to health care utilization: cost as a barrier to medical care (AOR: 5.3 [95% CI: 3.1-9.1]), and not having a routine care (AOR: 2.0 [95% CI: 1.2-3.3]).
Conclusions: Our findings have implications for future studies to further understand the association between depression and health care utlization among ACS, its impact on their overall wellbeing, and efforts to detect and treat depression in ACS. Routine assessment of depression in ACS and effective treatment interventions may aid in seeking timely and appropriate medical care.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.canep.2016.08.012 | DOI Listing |
Eur Stroke J
January 2025
Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Background: We aimed to assess impairments on health-related quality of life, and mental health resulting from Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) with monocular visual field loss and posterior circulation ischemic stroke (PCIS) with full or partial hemianopia using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).
Methods: In a prospective study, consecutive patients with acute RAO on fundoscopy and PCIS on imaging were recruited during their surveillance on a stroke unit over a period of 15 months. Baseline characteristics were determined from medical records and interviews.
Subst Use Misuse
January 2025
Defense Personnel and Security Research Center, Peraton, Seaside, California, USA.
Background: This study investigated relationships between low-income adolescent drinkers' frequent alcohol use and five factors: social disorganization, social structural, social integration, mental health, and access to healthcare.
Objective: A sample of 1,256 low-income adolescent drinkers and caregivers were extracted from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study.
Results: Logistic regression yielded results showing adolescent drinkers' weekly drinking to be associated positively with Hispanic adolescents, drinking peers, adolescents' depression/anxiety, and caregiver's daily drinking.
Nurs Leadersh (Tor Ont)
June 2025
Current nursing shortages, particularly in complex practice or specialty areas, coupled with high attrition rates of both seasoned and new graduate nurses, have required nursing leaders to consider creative approaches to recruit, prepare and retain nurses in specialty areas. This article describes a collaborative partnership between post-secondary institutions and health authorities in one province to address the need to prepare and retain nurses in high-priority specialized areas, such as the intensive care unit or the emergency department. This partnership allows for a proactive connection that leverages the strengths and resources of both healthcare and educational institutions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNurs Leadersh (Tor Ont)
June 2025
Clinical Practice Leader Corporate Interprofessional Practice Lakeridge Health Durham Region, ON.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare represents a paradigm shift with the potential to enhance patient care and streamline clinical operations. This commentary explores the Canadian perspective on key organizational considerations for nurse executives, emphasizing the critical role they play in fostering the establishment of AI governance structures and advancing the front-line adoption of AI in nursing practice. The discussion delves into five domains of consideration, analyzing recent developments and implications for nursing executives.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNurs Leadersh (Tor Ont)
June 2025
Adjunct Professor School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Graduate Studies Dalhousie University Halifax, NS.
Introduction: Black nurses are under-represented in the Canadian nursing workforce. A legacy of discrimination and systemic barriers reinforce the under-representation of Black nurses in the nursing workforce throughout the health system.
Objective: The objective of this study was to identify and describe organizational initiatives for the recruitment, retention and advancement of Black nurses in the healthcare system.
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