Saying “no” to professional recommendations: Client values, beliefs, and evidence-based practice

Nursing in adherence to treatment of tuberculosis and health technologies in the context of primary care

Abstract Objective: To describe and analyze the relationships between adherence to tuberculosis treatment and health technologies in the context of nursing action in Primary Care. Method: Contextual reflection, using the theoretical reference of Hinds, Chaves and Cypress. Results: They were categorized according to the conceptual perspective of each context, in an immediate, specific, general and metacontext, respectively: nursing actions in Primary Care and adherence to treatment of tuberculosis; nurses' performance through personal and environmental factors, health technologies and adherence to treatment; influence of nurses' beliefs about adherence to treatment and overall health status, and use of health technologies and shared views of patients and nurses on adherence to treatment as a responsibility for preventive action. Conclusion and Implications for practice: Adherence to the treatment of tuberculosis is directly linked to the substantial performance of the nurse, which presents potentialities to contribute to greater articulation between actions necessary to the success of the treatment, reducing the weaknesses in its operationalization. The technologies in the context of nursing action can favor praxis, especially in the incentive to join, and can subsidize new strategies appropriate to the reality of services.

Anti-vaccination and pro-CAM attitudes both reflect magical beliefs about health

We examined the relationship between complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and vaccination scepticism; and specifically whether a person's more general health-related worldview might explain this relationship. A cross-sectional online survey of adult Australians (N = 2697) included demographic, CAM, and vaccination measures, as well as the holistic and magical health belief scales (HHB, MHB). HHB emphasises links between mind and body health, and the impact of general 'wellness' on specific ailments or resistance to disease, whilst MHB specifically taps ontological confusions and cognitive errors about health. CAM and anti-vaccination were found to be linked primarily at the attitudinal level (r = -0.437). We did not find evidence that this was due to CAM practitioners influencing their clients. Applying a path-analytic approach, we found that individuals' health worldview (HHB and MHB) accounted for a significant proportion (43.1%) of the covariance between CAM and vaccination attitudes. MHB was by far the strongest predictor of both CAM and vaccination attitudes in regressions including demographic predictors. We conclude that vaccination scepticism reflects part of a broader health worldview that discounts scientific knowledge in favour of magical or superstitious thinking. Therefore, persuasive messages reflecting this worldview may be more effective than fact-based campaigns in influencing vaccine sceptics.

Development and initial testing of messages to encourage tuberculosis testing and treatment among Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccinated persons

Misperceptions surrounding the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine can lead some vaccinated individuals to resist being tested and treated for tuberculosis (TB). Educational messages to best explain the risk of TB to BCG-vaccinated, Hispanic persons were systematically developed and tested. First, TB program staff provided messages they considered effective. These were analyzed and validated by TB experts, and then presented in group interviews initially to foreign-born Hispanic persons with a TB diagnosis, and then persons without a prior TB diagnosis. Based on interviewees' feedback, preferred statements were used to develop one long and three short comprehensive messages. One-on-one interviews were conducted with Hispanic persons to assess the saliency of the comprehensive educational messages. Participants preferred messages that were gain or positively-framed and explained that BCG does not confer lifelong protection against TB. Participants confirmed the messages would likely have a positive impact on patient decisions to undergo TB testing and treatment.

Linking evidence-based nursing practice and patient-centered care through patient preferences

Calls for both patient-centered care and evidence-based practice (EBP) have increased dramatically over the last decade despite a tension between the two. Patient preferences, one of the cornerstones of EBP, can provide the link between the two. Although current research supports the added value of patient preferences in care, there is currently a "gap" between EBP and patient-centered care, with the two often viewed as opposing ideas. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of patient preferences, summarize research on patient preferences, and discuss implications for nursing and nursing administration. Efforts to incorporate patient preferences into nursing care must be multifaceted, targeting multiple levels from individual nurses to organizations and systems. Four critical elements have been identified for integrating patient preferences into EBP: (1) health care redesign, (2) decision support, (3) empowered organizational culture, and (4) informed and empowered nurses.

Preferences for the "screen and treat" strategy of Helicobacter pylori to prevent gastric cancer in healthy Korean populations

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication may reduce the risk of gastric cancer, and professional guidelines recommend eradication based on patients' preference. However, little data exist regarding individual's preference for HP eradication to prevent gastric cancer. We explored healthy Korean populations' preference for HP "screen and treat" strategy and its associated factors.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 604 healthy adults expected to undergo screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy during routine health checkups. Survey packages-including a decision aid about "screen and treat" strategy for the HP eradication-were sent to the eligible people 1-3 weeks before the health checkup. Within the survey package, we first assessed people's knowledge and experience with HP test and treatment, provided the decision aid, and evaluated participants' preference for screening and treatment for HP to prevent gastric cancer.

RESULTS

With the provision of the decision aid, most participants (73.7%) opted for the "screen and treat" strategy. Having family member(s) with gastric cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16-4.47), previous treatment history of HP (aOR = 2.70; 95% CI, 1.38-5.29), and higher baseline knowledge (aOR = 1.16; 95% CI, 1.07-1.26) were significantly associated with accepting the strategy. Most participants (71.4%)-and even individuals who did not choose "screen and treat" strategy-agreed with the provision with the decision aid.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals preferred to take the "screen and treat" strategy for the prevention of gastric cancer. Further intervention study is warranted to see if implementation of decisional support would improve decision quality and patient outcomes.

A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives about Hypertension

To understand hypertensive patients' perspectives regarding blood pressure and hypertension treatment, this qualitative study applied semistructured interviews of hypertensive patients. Participants were recruited from two hypertension clinics at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. To be eligible for inclusion, patients had to be aged 18 years or older, diagnosed with hypertension by a healthcare provider, and currently taking an antihypertensive medication. Participants were stratified in the analysis according to blood pressure control. Twenty-six patients (mean age 57; 62% female) were interviewed, of which 42% were on target and 58% were not. Three underlying themes emerged from the interviews: (a) knowledge of blood pressure relating to diagnosis and management and control of hypertension, (b) integration of hypertension management into daily routine, and (c) feelings and beliefs of wellness. None of the above themes were associated with better control. Knowledge gaps were found, which emphasize the need for further patient education and physician training. Feelings and beliefs of wellness, and not knowledge, were important factors in home assessment of blood pressure. The absence of connections between control of hypertension and the identified domains indicates that current approaches could benefit from the development of a more personalized approach for education and communication.

Non-compliance with health surveillance is a matter of Biosafety: a survey of latent tuberculosis infection in a highly endemic setting

Objective This study aimed at identifying demographic, socio-economic and tuberculosis (TB) exposure factors associated with non-compliance with the tuberculin skin test, the management and prevention of non-compliance to the test. It was carried out in the context of a survey of latent TB infection among undergraduate students taking healthcare courses in two universities in Salvador, Brazil, a city highly endemic for TB. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of 1164 volunteers carried out between October 2004 and June 2008. Bivariate analysis followed by logistic regression was used to measure the association between non-compliance and potential risk factors through non-biased estimates of the adjusted OR for confounding variables. A parallel evaluation of occupational risk perception and of knowledge of Biosafety measures was also conducted. Results The non-compliance rate was above 40% even among individuals potentially at higher risk of disease, which included those who had not been vaccinated (OR 3.33; 95% CI 1.50 to 7.93; p=0.0018), those reporting having had contact with TB patients among close relatives or household contacts (p=0.3673), or those whose tuberculin skin test status was shown within the survey to have recently converted (17.3% of those completing the study). In spite of the observed homogeneity in the degree of Biosafety knowledge, and the awareness campaigns developed within the study focussing on TB prevention, the analysis has shown that different groups have different behaviours in relation to the test. Family income was found to have opposite effects in groups studying different courses as well as attending public versus private universities. Conclusions Although the data presented may not be directly generalisable to other situations and cultural settings, this study highlights the need to evaluate factors associated with non-compliance with routine testing, as they may affect the efficacy of Biosafety programs.