Improving prescribing: a feasibility study of pharmacogenetic testing with clinical decision support in primary healthcare in Singapore

BACKGROUND

The study of genetic variation as a factor influencing drug safety, efficacy, and effectiveness has brought about significant breakthroughs in understanding the clinical application of gene-drug interactions to better manage drug therapy.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to assess the feasibility of collecting buccal samples by general practitioners (GPs) at private practices in Singapore within a usual consultation, incorporating use of a pharmacogenetics-based medical decision support system to guide subsequent drug dosing.

METHODS

We used a prospective cohort study design, with GPs recruiting 189 patients between October 2020 and March 2021. The genotypes of 51 biallelic SNPs were determined using Illumina Infinium Global Screening Array.

RESULTS

Seven GPs from 6 private practices recruited and obtained buccal samples from a total of 189 patients. All patients had at least one actionable variant. The prevalence of patients having 2, 3, or 4 variants was 37.0%, 32.8%, and 12.7%, respectively. Potential alterations to medications were identified using the Clinical Decision Support System. Patients were accepting and the GPs were enthusiastic about the potential of pharmacogenetics to personalize medicine for their patients.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study in Singapore to demonstrate the feasibility of pharmacogenetic testing in primary care. The high prevalence of genetic variants underscores the potential use of pharmacogenetics in this setting.

Exploring the impact of a co-designed shared book reading environment for families in a community hub

BACKGROUND

Evidence supports the effectiveness of shared book reading for promoting language and literacy development, but it is known that families experiencing vulnerability may have reduced access to books and are less likely to share books regularly at home. Community hubs often provide support to families experiencing vulnerability and may provide an opportunity to create environments that support families to engage in shared book reading, especially if families are invited into the creation of these environments through co-design. However, there is currently little evidence regarding the impact of co-designing shared book reading environments with families in community settings.

AIMS

The current study is part of a broader project which used co-design to develop a shared book reading environment in collaboration with stakeholders in a community hub. This small-scale study aimed to provide a preliminary evaluation of the impact of this co-designed shared book reading environment at the community hub on (1) the frequency of shared book reading at the hub; (2) participants' confidence and enjoyment of reading with children at the hub; and (3) participants' experiences of shared book reading at the hub.

METHOD & PROCEDURES

The co-design project was carried out in four phases with families, staff and community partners at the community hub. A convergent mixed-methods approach was used to collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data in the first and last phase of the project to evaluate project outcomes. Quantitative data (environmental observations of reading at the hub and participant ratings of confidence and enjoyment of reading with children at the hub) were analysed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric statistical tests. Qualitative data (participants' responses regarding their experiences of changes implemented in the community hub) were analysed using inductive content analysis.

OUTCOME & RESULTS

An increased frequency of shared book reading was observed within the community hub after changes were implemented, and positive changes in enjoyment of book reading were recorded. Qualitative responses from participants following conclusion of the project were organised into three main categories, which showed that (1) children and families were reading more and enjoying reading activities that were happening; (2) children and families were borrowing more books; and (3) families had changed the way they were reading at home with their children.

CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS

A co-designed shared book reading environment within a community hub had a positive impact on shared book reading experiences for families in areas with high levels of vulnerability.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on this subject Community hubs provide a unique opportunity to support early language and literacy development in partnership with families in areas of vulnerability; however, there is limited literature investigating the impacts of these supports. A previous study utilised co-design to develop a shared book reading environment with stakeholders at a community hub in an area where a high proportion of children are considered to be 'vulnerable' in terms of language and literacy development. It was found that co-design enabled the development of collaborative changes to support shared book reading that were valued and owned by families, staff and community partners at the community hub. What this study adds The current study focused on evaluating the impact of a co-design project on the frequency of shared book reading at the hub and participants' experiences, confidence and enjoyment of reading with children at the hub. Analysis of pre- and post-data provide preliminary evidence that a co-designed shared book reading environment in a community hub can have a positive impact on increasing families' awareness and engagement with book borrowing, engagement in shared book reading activities in the community and at home, and participants' confidence and enjoyment of reading with children. What are the clinical implications of this work? Speech pathologists have an important role to play in prevention and promotion. This study has shown that collaboration with families experiencing vulnerability can support the implementation of strategies to promote shared reading in a community hub and demonstrate increased quality and frequency of shared book reading. The utilisation of a community hub also highlights the opportunities for the speech pathology profession to deliver community-based promotion and prevention initiatives as a strategy to address equitable language outcomes.

Clinicians and AI use: where is the professional guidance?

With the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) to healthcare, there is also a need for professional guidance to support its use. New (2022) reports from National Health Service AI Lab & Health Education England focus on healthcare workers' understanding and confidence in AI clinical decision support systems (AI-CDDSs), and are concerned with developing trust in, and the trustworthiness of these systems. While they offer guidance to aid developers and purchasers of such systems, they offer little specific guidance for the clinical users who will be required to use them in patient care.This paper argues that clinical, professional and reputational safety will be risked if this deficit of professional guidance for clinical users of AI-CDDSs is not redressed. We argue it is not enough to develop training for clinical users without first establishing professional guidance regarding the rights and expectations of clinical users.We conclude with a call to action for clinical regulators: to unite to draft guidance for users of AI-CDDS that helps manage clinical, professional and reputational risks. We further suggest that this exercise offers an opportunity to address fundamental issues in the use of AI-CDDSs; regarding, for example, the fair burden of responsibility for outcomes.

Survey on barriers to psychiatrists' use of clozapine for young people in Scotland and suggestions for reducing these

INTRODUCTION

The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland published a report into the death of a young person, with recommendations for the Royal College of Psychiatry in Scotland Child and Adolescent Faculty; to explore if there were barriers to the use of Clozapine in young people in Scotland.

METHODS

A mixed-methods study was performed using a cross-sectional survey of clinicians working in child and adolescent psychiatry across Scotland, to determine attitudes towards clozapine use and the perceived barriers and facilitators to clozapine treatment.

RESULTS

Results suggest that there may be a lack of clearly defined pathways within and between services, as well as a lack of resources provided for the necessary monitoring of a young person started on clozapine. Multiple respondents felt unskilled in clozapine initiation and had not accessed formal training. The most frequently mentioned themes for improving facilitation of clozapine prescription were that of increased resources and training.

DISCUSSION

National policymakers including the Mental Welfare Commission, NHS Education for Scotland, and NHS Scotland should consider these findings to address the potential underutilisation of clozapine for people aged under 18 in services across Scotland. A review of current service provision should take place, with consideration of whether the facilitators to clozapine prescription which our study has highlighted could be implemented more effectively. This may help reduce identified barriers and increase clozapine prescription to those who would benefit from it, potentially improving outcomes for young people with treatment-resistant psychosis.

A secreted proteomic footprint for stem cell pluripotency

With a view to developing a much-needed non-invasive method for monitoring the healthy pluripotent state of human stem cells in culture, we undertook proteomic analysis of the waste medium from cultured embryonic (Man-13) and induced (Rebl.PAT) human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Cells were grown in E8 medium to maintain pluripotency, and then transferred to FGF2 and TGFβ deficient E6 media for 48 hours to replicate an early, undirected dissolution of pluripotency. We identified a distinct proteomic footprint associated with early loss of pluripotency in both hPSC lines, and a strong correlation with changes in the transcriptome. We demonstrate that multiplexing of four E8- against four E6- enriched secretome biomarkers provides a robust, diagnostic metric for the pluripotent state. These biomarkers were further confirmed by Western blotting which demonstrated consistent correlation with the pluripotent state across cell lines, and in response to a recovery assay.

Impaired communication ability in SOX11 syndrome

BACKGROUND

Speech and language skills are important for social interaction and learning. This study characterised the communication abilities of verbal individuals with SOX11 syndrome using a standardised parent/carer questionnaire, the Children's Communication Checklist (CCC-2).

METHOD

Thirteen parent/carers of verbal individuals (aged 5-19 years) diagnosed with SOX11 syndrome completed the CCC-2. In order to contextualise findings, responses were compared to norms and to data from Noonan syndrome, a relatively well-known genetic diagnosis associated with communication impairment.

RESULTS

For all individuals, the CCC-2 composite score indicated significant communication difficulties. Language structure (speech, syntax, semantics and coherence), pragmatic language (inappropriate initiation, stereotyped language use of context and non-verbal communication) and autistic features (social relations and interests) scores were lower than typically developing norms. Subscale comparisons revealed relative difference in use of context compared to other pragmatic domains (stereotyped language and inappropriate initiation). Individual scores showed substantial variation, particularly in regard to language structure profile. Differences were more pronounced than for Noonan syndrome, specifically in domains of speech, syntax, non-verbal communication and social relations.

CONCLUSIONS

SOX11 syndrome is associated with communication impairment. It is important to assess communication abilities as part of the management of individuals with SOX11 syndrome and understand individual strengths and difficulties in order to provide targeted support.

Integrating international policy standards in the implementation of postnatal care: a rapid review

INTRODUCTION

International legal and political documents can assist policy-makers and programme managers in countries to create an enabling environment to promote maternal and newborn health. This review aimed to map and summarise international legal and political documents relevant to the implementation of the WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience.

METHODS

Rapid review of relevant international legal and political documents, including legal and political commitments (declarations, resolutions and treaties) and interpretations (general comments, recommendations from United Nations human rights treaty bodies, joint United Nations statements). Documents were mapped to the domains presented in the WHO postnatal care (PNC) recommendations; relating to maternal care, newborn care, and health systems and health promotion interventions, and by type of human right implied and/or stated in the documents.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine documents describing international legal and political commitments and interpretations were mapped, out of 45 documents captured. These 29 documents, published or entered into force between 1944 and 2020, contained content relevant to most of the domains of the PNC recommendations, most prominently the domains of breastfeeding and health systems interventions and service delivery arrangements. The most frequently mapped human rights were the right to health and the right to social security.

CONCLUSION

Existing international legal and political documents can inform and encourage policy and programme development at the country level, to create an enabling environment during the postnatal period and thereby support the provision and uptake of PNC and improve health outcomes for women, newborns, children and families. Governments and civil society organisations should be aware of these documents to support efforts to protect and promote maternal and newborn health.

Fabrication, defect chemistry and microstructure of Mn-doped UO2

Mn-doped UO2 is under consideration for use as an accident tolerant nuclear fuel. We detail the synthesis of Mn-doped UO2 prepared via a wet co-precipitation method, which was refined to improve the yield of incorporated Mn. To verify the Mn-doped UO2 defect chemistry, X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Mn K-edge was performed, in addition to X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and high-energy resolved fluorescence detection X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy at the U M4-edge. It was established that Mn2+ directly substitutes for U4+ in the UO2 lattice, accompanied by oxygen vacancy (Ov) charge compensation. In contrast to other divalent-element doped UO2 materials, compelling evidence for U5+ in a charge compensating role was not found. This work furthers understanding of the structure and crystal chemistry of Mn-doped UO2, which could show potential advantages as a novel efficient advanced nuclear fuel.

Diamond-Like Carbon: A Surface for Extreme, High-Wear Environments

In this study, we present an in-depth characterization of a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film, using a range of techniques to understand the structure and chemistry of the film both in the interior and particularly at the DLC/air surface and DLC/liquid interface. The DLC film is found to be a combination of sp2 and sp3 carbon, with significant oxygen present at the surface. The oxygen seems to be present as OH groups, making the DLC somewhat hydrophilic. Quartz-Crystal Microbalance (QCM) isotherms and complementary neutron reflectivity data indicate significant adsorption of a model additive, bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT) surfactant, onto the DLC from water solutions and indicate the adsorbed film is a bilayer. This initial study of the structure and composition of a model surfactant is intended to give a clearer insight into how DLC and additives function as antiwear systems.

Artificial intelligence in clinical decision-making: Rethinking personal moral responsibility

Artificially intelligent systems (AISs) are being created by software developing companies (SDCs) to influence clinical decision-making. Historically, clinicians have led healthcare decision-making, and the introduction of AISs makes SDCs novel actors in the clinical decision-making space. Although these AISs are intended to influence a clinician's decision-making, SDCs have been clear that clinicians are in fact the final decision-makers in clinical care, and that AISs can only inform their decisions. As such, the default position is that clinicians should hold responsibility for the outcomes of the use of AISs. This is not the case when an AIS has influenced a clinician's judgement and their subsequent decision. In this paper, we argue that this is an imbalanced and unjust position, and that careful thought needs to go into how personal moral responsibility for the use of AISs in clinical decision-making should be attributed. This paper employs and examines the difference between prospective and retrospective responsibility and considers foreseeability as key in determining how personal moral responsibility can be justly attributed. This leads us to the view that moral responsibility for the outcomes of using AISs in healthcare ought to be shared by the clinical users and SDCs.

Correction: The hallmarks of childhood abuse and neglect: A systematic review

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243639.].

Investigating the Role of MK2 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Growth, Metastasis and STING Pathway Activation

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Our prior work demonstrated that inhibition of MAPKAPK2 (MK2) can enhance radiation (RT)-mediated in vivo head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumor control and survival in preclinical immune incompetent models. The cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthetase (cGAS) and its downstream adaptor protein, stimulator of interferon genes (STING), are conserved proteins within the innate immune signaling pathways and are important for mediating host defense against microbial infection and can play a role in anti-cancer immunity. We hypothesized that loss of MK2 enhances radiation-induced cGAS-STING pathway activation leading to improved tumor control and survival.

MATERIALS/METHODS

MK2 shRNA knockdown human (Tu167, CAL27) and MK2 Cas9/CRISPR knockout (KO) syngeneic murine (Ly2, MLM3) HNSCC cell lines were treated with 10 Gy irradiation. Micronuclei were quantitated by DAPI-immunofluorescence (IF). Protein changes in cGAS-STING were evaluated by immunoblot. Inflammatory cytokine production including Type I IFNβ1 were evaluated by RT-qPCR. Ly2 and MLM3 cells were orthotopically or flank engrafted into immune competent mice (Balb/c, C57Bl/6, respectively) for animal tumor control-survival studies. Tumor immune cell infiltrate was examined using FACS and immunohistochemistry. Selected drug studies using the MK2 inhibitor, ATI-450, were performed with RT.

RESULTS

Loss of MK2 in HNSCC (Tu167, CAL27, Ly2, MLM3) treated with RT led to a significant increase in micronuclei formation compared to control cells. MK2-enhanced micronuclei generation following RT could be inhibited with the actin filament polymerization inhibitor, cytochalasin B. RT treatment of MK2 shRNA cells led to increased cGAS and phospho-STING levels compared to either treatment alone. IFNβ1 levels were significantly higher in HNSCC cell lines treated with RT and with MK2 inhibited by an MK2 inhibitor (ATI-450) or genetic reduction compared to either treatment alone. In-vivo implantation of MLM3 cells into C57Bl/6 comparing control vs MK2 KO tumors treated with ±8 Gy RT demonstrated improved mouse survival favoring RT+MK2 KO over RT, MK2 KO or parental (63, 58, 58.5, 35 days, respectively). FACS analysis of MLM3 WT v KO tumors 3 days post RT showed an overall increase in the number of CD3/CD8 T-cells infiltrating into the tumor in all groups except for parental tumors. Further analysis demonstrated that loss of MK2 reversed CD8 T-cell exhaustion and when combined with radiotherapy led to increased CD8 T-cell activation. Furthermore, activated CD4 and CD8 T cells were reduced in WT+RT cells compared to WT tumors whereas no reduction was seen in the KO or KO+RT.

CONCLUSION

HNSCC tumor MK2 inhibition enhances RT-mediated micronuclei formation and subsequent cGAS-STING-IFNβ1 levels. Loss of HNSCC MK2 leads to increased CD4-CD8 T-cell infiltration into the tumor and this effect is enhanced following RT. Targeting tumor MK2 may facilitate improved tumor control.

Smartphone apps for point-of-care information summaries: systematic assessment of the quality and content

BACKGROUND

Clinicians need easy access to evidence-based information to inform their clinical practice. Point-of-care information summaries are increasingly available in the form of smartphone apps. However, the quality of information from the apps is questionable as there is currently no regulation on the content of the medical apps.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to systematically assess the quality and content of the medical apps providing point-of-care information summaries that were available in two major app stores. We evaluated apps designed specifically for healthcare professionals and assessed their content development, editorial policy, coverage of medical conditions and trustworthiness.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic assessment of medical apps providing point-of-care information summaries available in Google Play and Apple app stores. Apps launched or updated since January 2020 were identified through a systematic search using 42matters. Apps meeting the inclusion criteria were downloaded and assessed. The data extraction and app assessment were done in parallel and independently by at least two reviewers. Apps were evaluated against the adapted criteria: (1) general characteristics, (2) content presentation of the summaries, (3) editorial quality, (4) evidence-based methodology, (5) coverage (volume) of the medical conditions, (6) usability of apps and (7) trustworthiness of the app based on HONcode principles. HONcode principles are guidelines used to inform users about the credibility and reliability of health information online. The results were reported as a narrative review.

RESULTS

Eight medical apps met the inclusion criteria and were systematically appraised. Based on our evaluation criteria, UpToDate supported 16 languages, and all other apps were English. Bullet points and brief paragraphs were used in all apps, and only DynaMed and Micromedex and Pathway-medical knowledge provided a formal grading system for the strength of recommendations for all the medical conditions in their apps. All the other apps either lacked a formal grading system altogether or offered one for some of the medical conditions. About 30% of the editorial quality assessment and 47.5% of the evidence-based methodology assessment were unclear or missing. UpToDate contained the most point-of-care evidence-based documents with >10 500 documents. All apps except 5-Minute Clinical Consult and DynaMed and Micromedex were available for offline access. Only Medscape complied with the HONcode principles.

CONCLUSIONS

Future apps should report a more detailed evidence-based methodology, be accessible for offline use and support search in more than one language. There should be clearer information provided in future apps regarding the declaration of authorship and conflict of interest.

Online prediction tools for melanoma survival: A comparison

BACKGROUND

Breslow thickness, patient age and ulceration are the three most valuable clinical and pathological predictors of melanoma survival. A readily available reliable online tool that accurately considers these and other predictors could be valuable for clinicians managing melanoma patients.

OBJECTIVE

To compare online melanoma survival prediction tools that request user input on clinical and pathological features.

METHODS

Search engines were used to identify available predictive nomograms. For each, clinical and pathological predictors were compared.

RESULTS

Three tools were identified. The American Joint Committee on Cancer tool inappropriately rated thin tumours as higher risk than intermediate tumours. The University of Louisville tool was found to have six shortcomings: a requirement for sentinel node biopsy, unavailable input of thin melanoma or patients over 70 years of age and less reliable hazard ratio calculations for age, ulceration and tumour thickness. The LifeMath.net tool was found to appropriately consider tumour thickness, ulceration, age, sex, site and tumour subtype in predicting survival.

LIMITATIONS

The authors did not have access to the base data used to compile various prediction tools.

CONCLUSION

The LifeMath.net prediction tool is the most reliable for clinicians in counselling patients with newly diagnosed primary cutaneous melanoma regarding their survival prospects.

Women's preconception health in England: a report card based on cross-sectional analysis of national maternity services data from 2018/2019

OBJECTIVE

To present the first national-level report card on the state of women's preconception health in England.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional population-based study.

SETTING

Maternity services, England.

POPULATION

All pregnant women in England with a first antenatal (booking) appointment recorded in the national Maternity Services Dataset (MSDS) from April 2018 to March 2019 (n = 652 880).

METHODS

We analysed the prevalence of 32 preconception indicator measures in the overall population and across socio-demographic subgroups. Ten of these indicators were prioritised for ongoing surveillance based on modifiability, prevalence, data quality and ranking by multidisciplinary UK experts.

RESULTS

The three most prevalent indicators were the proportion of the 22.9% of women who smoked 1 year before pregnancy who did not quit smoking before pregnancy (85.0%), those who had not taken folic acid supplementation before pregnancy (72.7%) and previous pregnancy loss (38.9%). Inequalities were observed by age, ethnicity and area-based deprivation level. The ten indicators prioritised were not taking folic acid supplementation before pregnancy, obesity, complex social factors, living in the most deprived areas, smoking around the time of conception, overweight, pre-existing mental health condition, pre-existing physical health condition, previous pregnancy loss and previous obstetric complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest important opportunities to improve the state of preconception health and reduce socio-demographic inequalities for women in England. In addition to MSDS data, other national data sources that record further and possibly better quality indicators could be explored and linked to build a comprehensive surveillance infrastructure.

Promoting Activity, Independence, and Stability in Early Dementia and mild cognitive impairment (PrAISED): randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of an exercise and functional activity therapy intervention in adults with early dementia or mild cognitive impairment compared with usual care.

DESIGN

Randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

Participants' homes and communities at five sites in the United Kingdom.

PARTICIPANTS

365 adults with early dementia or mild cognitive impairment who were living at home, and family members or carers.

INTERVENTION

The intervention, Promoting activity, Independence, and Stability in Early Dementia and mild cognitive impairment (PrAISED), was a specially designed, dementia specific, rehabilitation programme focusing on strength, balance, physical activity, and performance of activities of daily living, which was tailored and progressive and addressed risk and the psychological needs of people with dementia. Up to 50 therapy sessions were provided over 12 months. The control group received usual care plus a falls risk assessment. Procedures were adapted during the covid-19 pandemic.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was score on the carer (informant) reported disability assessment for dementia scale 12 months after randomisation. Secondary outcomes were self-reported activities of daily living, physical activity, quality of life, balance, functional mobility, fear of falling, frailty, cognition, mood, carer strain, service use at 12 months, and falls between months 4 and 15.

RESULTS

365 patient participants were randomised, 183 to intervention and 182 to control. The median age of participants was 80 years (range 65-95), median Montreal cognitive assessment score was 20 out of 30 (range 13-26), and 58% (n=210) were men. Intervention participants received a median of 31 therapy sessions (interquartile range 22-40) and reported completing a mean 121 minutes of PrAISED exercise each week. Primary outcome data were available for 149 intervention and 141 control participants. Scores on the disability assessment for dementia scale did not differ between groups: adjusted mean difference -1.3, 95% confidence interval -5.2 to 2.6; Cohen's d effect size -0.06, 95% confidence interval -0.26 to 0.15; P=0.51). Upper 95% confidence intervals excluded small to moderate effects on any of the range of outcome measures. Between months 4 and 15 the intervention group experienced 79 falls and the control group 200 falls (adjusted incidence rate ratio 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.5 to 1.3; P=0.3).

CONCLUSION

The intensive PrAISED programme of exercise and functional activity training did not improve activities of daily living, physical activity, or quality of life; reduce falls; or improve any other secondary health status outcomes, despite good uptake. Future research should consider alternative approaches to maintaining ability and wellbeing in people with dementia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN15320670.

Stakeholder's perspectives of postnatal discharge: a qualitative evidence synthesis

INTRODUCTION

Discharge preparation prior to leaving a health facility after childbirth offers a critical window of opportunity for women, parents and newborns to receive support for the transition to care at home. However, research suggests that the quality of discharge preparation following childbirth is variable. This review synthesises qualitative evidence on stakeholder perspectives of postnatal discharge.

METHODS

We conducted a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies included in a larger published scoping review on discharge preparedness and readiness (reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews). For inclusion, in the qualitative evidence synthesis, studies had to have used qualitative methods for data collection and analysis to capture the perspectives of women, parents and health workers. Key characteristics and findings were extracted, and thematic analysis was used to inductively develop a conceptual coding framework.

RESULTS

Of a total of 130 research documents (published research articles and grey literature), six studies met the inclusion criteria; five were conducted in high-income countries, five were published in English and one was published in Swedish. Studies reported on the experiences of women, fathers and midwives with the number of participants ranging from 12 to 324. Nine descriptive themes (findings) were identified. From these, three high-level analytical themes were generated: (1) health workers need support to optimise the postnatal discharge process; (2) the allocated time for, and timing of, discharge is rushed; (3) overlooking women's and fathers'/partners' needs leads to feelings of exclusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest an overall feeling of dissatisfaction among women, parents and midwives with the current provision of discharge preparation. In particular, women and midwives expressed frustration at the lack of time and resources available for ensuring adequate quality of care prior to discharge. The perspectives of included stakeholders indicate a demand for increased focus on the emotional and social needs of women and families during discharge preparation as well as better engagement of fathers and other family members. The qualitative evidence available indicates the likely positive impact of adequate discharge preparation if the identified service and system barriers can be overcome. As the updated WHO recommendations on postnatal care become embedded in country health systems and policies, there may be renewed interest on values, preferences and perspectives at system, service and end-user level.

Being pregnant and becoming a parent during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal qualitative study with women in the Born in Bradford COVID-19 research study

BACKGROUND

Uncertainty around the risk of COVID-19 to pregnant women and their babies prompted precautionary restrictions on their health and care during the pandemic. Maternity services had to adapt to changing Government guidance. Coupled with the imposition of national lockdowns in England and restrictions on daily activities, women's experiences of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, and their access to services, changed rapidly. This study was designed to understand women's experiences of pregnancy, labour and childbirth and caring for a baby during this time.

METHODS

This was an inductive longitudinal qualitative study, using in-depth interviews by telephone with women in Bradford, UK, at three timepoints during their maternity journey (18 women at timepoint one, 13 at timepoint two and 14 at timepoint three). Key topics explored were physical and mental wellbeing, experience of healthcare services, relationships with partners and general impact of the pandemic. Data were analysed using the Framework approach. A longitudinal synthesis identified over-arching themes.

RESULTS

Three longitudinal themes captured what was important to women: (1) women feared being alone at critical points in their maternity journey, (2) the pandemic created new norms for maternity services and women's care, and (3) finding ways to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic in pregnancy and with a baby.

CONCLUSIONS

Modifications to maternity services impacted significantly on women's experiences. The findings have informed national and local decisions about how best to direct resources to reduce the impact of COVID-19 restrictions and the longer-term psychological impact on women during pregnancy and postnatally.

Co-designing a shared book reading environment at a community hub

PURPOSE

Community hubs often provide support to families in areas of high vulnerability and can provide unique opportunities for delivering early literacy programs. This study used a co-design process to engage families, staff, and community partners within a community hub to design an environment that supported shared book reading.

METHOD

Co-design was enacted in four phases: 1) interviews to understand user experiences relating to shared book reading; 2) focus groups to refine ideas into actions to support shared book reading and prioritise these actions; 3) implementation of changes; and 4) understanding of participants' experiences of involvement.

RESULT

Participant identified changes were implemented within four categories: 1) changing how books are organised, 2) showing families how to share books, 3) giving families information about how books can be borrowed, and 4) running more activities about books. Participants indicated they enjoyed being a part of a co-design process to affect change at the community hub.

CONCLUSION

Co-design enabled the development of collaborative changes to support book reading that were valued and owned by families, staff, and community partners. Community hubs can provide unique opportunities to engage with families in areas of vulnerability to support the development of early language and literacy skills.

Leading co-production in five UK collaborative research partnerships (2008-2018): responses to four tensions from senior leaders using auto-ethnography

BACKGROUND

Despite growing enthusiasm for co-production in healthcare services and research, research on co-production practices is lacking. Multiple frameworks, guidelines and principles are available but little empirical research is conducted on 'how to do' co-production of research to improve healthcare services. This paper brings together insights from UK-based collaborative research partnerships on leading co-production. Its aim is to inform practical guidance for new partnerships planning to facilitate the co-production of applied health research in the future.

METHODS

Using an auto-ethnographic approach, experiential evidence was elicited through collective sense making from recorded conversations between the research team and senior leaders of five UK-based collaborative research partnerships. This approach applies a cultural analysis and interpretation of the leaders' behaviours, thoughts and experiences of co-production taking place in 2008-2018 and involving academics, health practitioners, policy makers and representatives of third sector organisations.

RESULTS

The findings highlight a variety of practices across CLAHRCs, whereby the intersection between the senior leaders' vision and local organisational context in which co-production occurs largely determines the nature of co-production process and outcomes. We identified four tensions in doing co-production: (1) idealistic, tokenistic vs realistic narratives, (2) power differences and (lack of) reciprocity, (3) excluding vs including language and communication, (4) individual motivation vs structural issues.

CONCLUSIONS

The tensions were productive in helping collaborative research partnerships to tailor co-production practices to their local needs and opportunities. Resulting variation in co-production practices across partnerships can therefore be seen as highly advantageous creative adaptation, which makes us question the utility of seeking a unified 'gold standard' of co-production. Strategic leadership is an important starting point for finding context-tailored solutions; however, development of more distributed forms of leadership over time is needed to facilitate co-production practices between partners. Facilitating structures for co-production can enable power sharing and boost capacity and capability building, resulting in more inclusive language and communication and, ultimately, more credible practices of co-production in research. We provide recommendations for creating more realistic narratives around co-production and facilitating power sharing between partners.

Mannan based prebiotics modulate growth rate and energy phenotype of tetracycline resistant E. coli

Unsustainable antimicrobial use in industrial agriculture has contributed to the rise in antimicrobial resistance and there is an urgent need to find alternative and more sustainable strategies to traditional antimicrobials. Prebiotics, such as mannan-rich fraction (MRF), a cell wall product from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have demonstrated an ability to alter the growth of antibiotic susceptible and resistant Escherichia coli and improve the efficacy of antibiotics through modulation of cellular activity. In this study the impact of mannan based prebiotics on growth and respiration of E. coli was assessed by observing microbial growth, oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate in the presence and absence of tetracycline. The findings further demonstrate the capabilities of MRF with respect to improving microbial antibiotic sensitivity, particularly in resistant strains. This potentially enables a more efficient control of resistant pathogens with food safety implications and promotion of more sustainable use of antibiotics in animal production systems.

Optimizing the role of 'lead mothers' in seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns: formative research in Kano State, northern Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a safe and effective intervention for preventing malaria in children under 5 years of age. Lead mothers are community health volunteers that help caregivers comply with monthly administration of anti-malarial drugs during SMC campaigns. The lead mother approach is used in several SMC implementing states across Nigeria, but there is lack of evidence about their roles and how effective they are. This study sought to better understand the current role of lead mothers, identify areas for improvement and ways to optimize the role of lead mothers during SMC campaigns.

METHODS

This paper reports the formative phase of a three-phased intervention development study. The formative phase involved semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from national, state, local government and community levels (n = 20). Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes, forming the basis of a subsequent co-design workshop with stakeholders routinely involved in SMC campaigns.

RESULTS

The findings of the formative phase converged around four overarching themes: skills and attributes required of lead mothers; factors that affect lead mother's roles; how lead mothers interact with Community Health Influencers Promoters Services (CHIPS) agents and re-imagining the role of lead mothers during SMC campaigns.

CONCLUSION

This formative work in Kano state indicates that through their strong connection to communities and unique relationship with caregivers, lead mothers can and do influence caregivers to adopt healthy behaviours during SMC campaigns. However, there is room for improvement in how they are recruited, trained and supervised. There is need to improve lead mothers' knowledge and skills through adequate training and supporting materials, so they can deliver targeted health messages to caregivers. Sustainability of the lead mother approach is at risk if policymakers do not find a way of transitioning their role into the existing community health worker infrastructure, for example by using CHIPs agents, and ensuring less reliance on external donor support.