Understanding change in medical practice: the role of shared meaning in preventive treatment

Prescribing as affective clinical practice: Transformations in sexual health consultations through HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis

New medicines can transform routines and priorities in clinical practice, but how do clinicians think and feel about these changes, and how does it affect their work? In Australia, the HIV prevention regimen pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been rapidly rolled out, transforming the sexual cultures and practices of users, but less attention has been given to the ways PrEP has reconfigured clinical practice. This paper draws on 28 qualitative semi-structured interviews conducted between 2019 and 2020 with PrEP-providing doctors and nurses in Australia to consider how they have affectively engaged with PrEP and put it into practice. Through a reflexive thematic analysis, we explore how clinicians adapted to PrEP, how the field of HIV prevention has been transformed, and how these developments have changed how clinicians approach patients. While the introduction of PrEP was initially received with uncertainty and shock, clinicians described PrEP as enjoyable to prescribe, and better aligned with the moral duties of sexual health consultations than existing HIV prevention strategies like condoms. Through approaching clinical work as an 'affective practice', we argue for attending not only to how new interventions change expectations and practices, but also how these changes are felt and valued by clinicians.

When the Hospital Is No Longer an Option: A Multiple Case Study of Defining Moments for Women Choosing Home Birth in High-Risk Pregnancies in The Netherlands

Some women in a high-risk pregnancy go against medical advice and choose to birth at home with a "holistic" midwife. In this exploratory multiple case study, grounded theory and triangulation were employed to examine 10 cases. The women, their partners, and (regular and holistic) health care professionals were interviewed in an attempt to determine whether there was a pattern to their experiences. Two propositions emerged. The dominant one was a trajectory of trauma, self-education, concern about paternalism, and conflict leading to a negative choice for holistic care. The rival proposition was a path of trust and positive choice for holistic care without conflict. We discuss these two propositions and make suggestions for professionals for building a trusting relationship using continuity of care, true shared decision making, and an alternative risk discourse to achieve the goal of making women perceive the hospital as safe again.

Integrating psychological screening into reviews of patients with COPD

BACKGROUND

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a high prevalence of anxiety and depression, which can have an impact on their symptoms and the way they manage their condition. Intervention that takes psychological distress into account may lead to better outcomes than simple advice-giving.

AIM

To explore the feasibility of integrating psychological screening and intervention into nurse-led reviews of patients with COPD.

METHOD

Nurses were given training on a pathway developed for patients with COPD. This included screening for depression and anxiety and assessing their severity; providing self-management education by means of a motivational approach; and offering pulmonary rehabilitation.

RESULTS

The nurses' level of confidence increased following training. Patients were accepting of the screening process and felt more able and motivated to manage their condition after the intervention. Eleven of the 35 patients that took part in the study period had evidence of anxiety and/or depression. Out of a total of 16 patients eligible for pulmonary rehabilitation, 12 agreed to referral. Of these, three patients were seen by their GP, one was started on antidepressants, and one was referred to the psychology service.

CONCLUSION

Training practice nurses to screen for depression and anxiety, and to offer self-management education using a motivational interviewing approach, increased the reported capability and motivation of patients with COPD to manage their condition. It may also improve the uptake of pulmonary rehabilitation. Use of this pathway does not place a burden on other care providers or greatly increase prescribing costs.

Methodology or method? A critical review of qualitative case study reports

Despite on-going debate about credibility, and reported limitations in comparison to other approaches, case study is an increasingly popular approach among qualitative researchers. We critically analysed the methodological descriptions of published case studies. Three high-impact qualitative methods journals were searched to locate case studies published in the past 5 years; 34 were selected for analysis. Articles were categorized as health and health services (n=12), social sciences and anthropology (n=7), or methods (n=15) case studies. The articles were reviewed using an adapted version of established criteria to determine whether adequate methodological justification was present, and if study aims, methods, and reported findings were consistent with a qualitative case study approach. Findings were grouped into five themes outlining key methodological issues: case study methodology or method, case of something particular and case selection, contextually bound case study, researcher and case interactions and triangulation, and study design inconsistent with methodology reported. Improved reporting of case studies by qualitative researchers will advance the methodology for the benefit of researchers and practitioners.

Primary care physicians' prevention counseling with patients with multiple morbidity

The prevalence of multiple health conditions, or multiple morbidity (MM), is increasing. Providing medical care for adults with MM presents challenges, including balancing disease management with prevention. We conducted in-depth semistructured interviews with 12 primary care physicians to explore their perspectives on prevention counseling among patients with MM. Participants described the complex relationship between disease management and prevention, highlighted the importance of patient motivation, and discussed various strategies to promote receptivity to prevention recommendations. The perceived potential benefits of prevention recommendations encouraged physicians to persist with such counseling, despite challenges presented by visit time constraints, reimbursement procedures, and concerns over futility. Physicians recommended the development of alternate care delivery and reimbursement models to overcome challenges of the existing health care system and to meet the prevention needs of patients with MM. We explore the implications of these findings for maximizing the health and quality of life of adults with MM.

Israeli dietitians' professional stigma attached to obese patients

The aim of this study was to explore and define the different dimensions of professional stigma attached to obese patients by dietitians. Four focus groups were conducted with 23 Israeli dietitians. Findings showed that while treating obese patients, dietitians underwent a stigmatization process involving cognitive, emotional, and behavioral phases. Obese patients with an internal locus of control, who took responsibility for their failure to diet, triggered positive feelings (e.g., pity and empathy), whereas obese patients with an external locus of control, who blamed others for their failure, triggered negative feelings (e.g., anger and frustration). Participants' emotional rejection of obese patients was manifested in three behavioral dimensions: instrumental avoidance (e.g., shorter sessions); professional avoidance (e.g., less energy and effort); and interpersonal avoidance (negative tone and evasive verbal and body language). Continuing education for dietitians is recommended to assist them in dealing with their negative feelings and behaviors toward resistant obese patients.