Background: Limited studies exist that describe diagnosis, treatment, and management experiences of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This study's purpose is to characterize patient experiences related to symptom onset, diagnosis, symptom management, support from healthcare professionals, and impacts on daily living.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted using open-ended questions and question probes were conducted with adults aged ≥18 years diagnosed with HCM ≥1 year prior. Interview recordings were transcribed verbatim and inductive and deductive thematic analyses were performed.
Results: A total of 32 interviews were conducted. The majority of participants were female (53.1%), aged ≥45 years (90.6%), white (96.9%), and non-Hispanic (96.9%). Participants with longer time to HCM diagnosis described having atypical HCM symptoms, denial of their own symptoms, and experiences of misdiagnoses. For HCM information and support, participants utilized personal healthcare professionals as well as non-medical resources. Participants described experiences of anxiety, denial, and upset feelings about their diagnosis, but also gratitude, acceptance, and increased mindfulness toward healthy habits. Individuals reported making changes in daily activities because of reduced physical capacity and making changes in lifestyle choices because of desire to be close to HCM specialists. Over time, participants also described becoming less fearful through utilization of available resources and treatment options.
Conclusions: The diverse but often challenging experiences of individuals with HCM suggest that increasing availability and utilization of HCM patient resources may be effective at reducing the unfavorable physical and psychological impacts of HCM. Common reports of misdiagnoses resulting in delayed HCM diagnosis also indicate a need for HCM-related educational opportunities for healthcare professionals.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2021.06.004 | DOI Listing |
Int J Colorectal Dis
January 2025
Department of Surgery, Division of Coloproctology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul. Room 600 A, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, Porto Alegre, RS, 2350, Brazil.
Purpose: The presence of chaperones during intimate physical examinations is a matter of ongoing debate. While most guidelines recommend the use of chaperones in all cases, there are no clinical trials specifically investigating intimate exams performed on women by male physicians. We aimed to evaluate female patients' perceptions regarding the presence or absence of chaperones during proctological examinations conducted by male physicians.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTrop Anim Health Prod
January 2025
Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Onderstepoort, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Bovine brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis are zoonotic diseases with economic and public health importance across the world, especially in developing countries where the diseases are endemic. The diseases are classified as neglected diseases in developing nations with poor resources despite good control measures in some developed countries. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions (KAP) of stakeholders towards control measures for bovine brucellosis (BR) and bovine tuberculosis (bTB) at a livestock-wildlife interface.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Manag Care
December 2024
University of Missouri Truman School of Government and Public Affairs, 615 Locust St, E004 Locust Street Bldg, Columbia, MO 65211. Email:
Objectives: To assess the capacity of Medicaid providers to take on new patients during a time of unprecedented growth in program enrollment due to Medicaid expansion and the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Study Design: We conducted a survey of Medicaid providers in Missouri in 2023 about their patient load and capacity to accept new patients.
Methods: We recruited 141 Missouri Medicaid providers through probability sampling and 109 additional providers through convenience sampling for a total sample size of 250, representing 0.
Introduction: Recently, a three-step endoscopic scale, known as the Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment (DICA), was introduced to predict the course of diverticular disease (DD), yielding some promising outcomes. However, analyses were performed only for symptomatic individuals.
Objectives: The aim of our study was to prospectively evaluate the predictive value of DICA in asymptomatic individuals with no previous diagnosis of DD who underwent colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy.
J Am Assoc Nurse Pract
January 2025
Wegmans School of Nursing, St. John Fisher University, Rochester, New York.
Puberty is a particularly vulnerable time for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during which baseline challenges are exacerbated, functioning often deteriorates, and additional barriers emerge. Specific concerns include increased vulnerability, decreased safety, and increased mood and behavioral disturbances. Youth with ASD need guidance and explicit instruction/skill development on topics such as hygiene/self-care, appropriate sexual activity, and menstruation management.
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