Background: One of the most common chronic respiratory diseases in the world, asthma placed a significant burden on adult populations in low- and middle-income nations like Tunisia. Although many patients continue to have less than ideal results, effective self-management is crucial to reaching optimal asthma control and avoiding exacerbations. Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of asthma control and explored the self-management practices of adult asthma patients in Southern Tunisia while identifying key socio-behavioral and environmental factors associated with poor disease outcomes. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among adult asthma patients attending healthcare facilities in Southern Tunisia. Data was gathered using validated tools to measure asthma control, self-management behaviors, and exposure to potential risk factors such as passive smoking, sleep disturbances, and adverse environmental conditions. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used to interpret the data. Results: The findings revealed a substantial proportion of participants who had uncontrolled asthma, which was significantly associated with insufficient self-management practices and high exposure to modifiable risk factors. Limited health literacy, lack of structured education, and inconsistent communication with healthcare providers emerged as key barriers. Conversely, patients who received tailored education and support demonstrated improved asthma control. Conclusion Enhancing asthma outcomes in Southern Tunisia required a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach that integrates personalized education, structured self-management plans, and risk reduction strategies. Strengthening patient-provider communication and addressing socio-environmental determinants were critical to reducing the disease burden and improving the quality of life among adults with asthma.
Self-Management ; Patient Education ; Patient Education as Topic ; Tunisia ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has the third highest incidence in the Philippines. Currently, there is a paucity in literature that is focused on the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of Filipinos regarding CRC screening. This is the first study in the Philippines that describes this.

This is a cross-sectional study that validated a 52-item Filipino questionnaire on the knowledge on colorectal cancer, willingness to undergo CRC screening, and perceived benefits and barriers to fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and colonoscopy. The study enrolled household heads more than 20 years of age residing in both urban and rural communities in the Philippines.

The UP-PGH CRC KAP (University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital Colorectal Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices) and Rawl Questionnaire’s validity and internal consistency were established in a pilot study of 30 respondents. A total of 288 respondents were then enrolled to the main study group with a median age of 54.0. Knowledge scores for prognosis and utility of CRC screening were modest (6.3/12 and 8.4/20, respectively). Perceived benefit scores to FOBT and colonoscopy were high (9.9/12 and 13.9/16, respectively).Median scores to barriers to FOBT and colonoscopy were intermediate (22.5/36 and 35.8/60, respectively). Notably, a vast majority (86.1%) were willing to participate in CRC screening programs initiated by the government, and 46.9% agreed to undergo screening tests even as out-of-pocket expense.

The UP-PGH CRC KAP Questionnaire as well as the Filipino translation of the Rawl Questionnaire are reliable and valid tools in extensively assessing the knowledge of Filipinos on CRC and willingness to undergo screening, as well as the benefits of and barriers to FOBT and colonoscopy. Knowledge scores were modest suggesting that directed educational campaigns and awareness programs can aid in increasing awareness about CRC and its screening. Household income and highest educational attainment were significantly positively correlated with knowledge scores, and perceived benefits of and barriers to CRC screening. Scores were generally comparable between urban and rural communities.

INTRODUCTION: The number of injuries and expenses from unsafe delivery of health care has heeded the call for a greater patient safety advocacy. The development of an effective reporting system contributes towards this cause. The study aimed to explore the perceptions of nurses regarding critical incidents and investigate the factors affecting their decision to report a certain event. METHODS: Focus group discussions including 28 nurses working in the service wards of a tertiary hospital, and the data gathered were analyzed using descriptive qualitative approach. RESULTS: Three key themes emerged from the discussions: (1) perceptions of an incident, (2) attitudes, norms, and culture of incident reporting in the workplace, and (3) perceptions and suggestions for management actions and improving the reporting system. The study showed that various factors tend to interplay in the identification of an incident as well as the consideration to perform the behavior. DISCUSSION The primary practice and education implications focus on changing the workplace culture and proper orientation of the staff, while further research regarding the role of reporting, and appropriate analysis of error reporting among other health care professionals would be recommended.
hospital communication systems ; nursing education ; critical incidents ; patient safety

Background: Hypertension remains the leading risk factor for mortality due to cardiovascular diseases worldwide. In the Philippines, this is the second most common cause of morbidity, with a rate of 602.4/100,000. Contributory to this burden is low adherence to lifestyle modifications in the general population and among healthcare workers (HCWs). This is observed despite HCWs’ knowledge and access to health services. Key to addressing this problem is patient education regarding healthy lifestyle, which has proven benefits on blood pressure control. Supportive methods, such as text messages and phone calls, can improve adherence. However, there is a gap in local data regarding tele-education, content, and healthcare workers. Objectives: The study aimed to determine adherence to a healthy lifestyle among hypertensive healthcare workers, specifically 1) adherence score to diet, physical activity, smoking cessation, and alcohol intake after 8 weeks of tele- education; 2) change in adherence from baseline to week 8; 3) change in adherence of those who underwent standard versus intensified tele-education. Methods: A randomized, controlled intervention study with 40 participants was conducted. Baseline adherence was recorded at the beginning, standard and intensified tele-education at week 4, and final adherence measurement at week 8. Results Baseline data revealed low total adherence to healthy lifestyle, with the lowest scores for diet (0%) and physical activity (20%). Highest change after week 4 of tele-education was seen in the intervention group diet (50%) and physical activity (70%). Total adherence increased in control (10%) and intervention (45%) groups. However, only the intervention group showed statistical significance (p-value < 0.001). Conclusions. Thus, intensified tele-education given one month after standard face-to-face education is an effective way of increasing adherence of hypertensive HCWs to a healthy lifestyle.
Hypertension ; telemedicine ; patient education

Introduction: Patient education is an integral component of diabetes mellitus care. The emergence of different methods and characteristics of patient education has led to varying outcomes of quality of life (QoL). Herein, we systematically searched for published studies reporting patient education and its methods and characteristics for improving the QoL of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: In this scoping review, eligible studies from six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Springer Link, Science Direct and Google Scholar) were identified. The keywords used in the search strategies were as follows: health education, health promotion, patient education, diabetes care, QoL, diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Two reviewers independently screened all references and full-text articles retrieved to identify articles eligible for inclusion. Results: A total of 203 articles were identified in the initial search. Of them, 166 were excluded after screening the titles and abstracts. Further full-text screening led to the subsequent removal of 22 articles, leaving 15 articles eligible for data extraction. Conclusion There is a broad array of methods of patient education for improving the QoL of patients with T2DM. Self-management education with supplementary supervision and monitoring effectively improves QoL. Future studies must emphasise the application of holistic education covering psychological distress, diet plan, and physical health.
Health Education ; Health Promotion ; Patient Education as Topic ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Quality of Life

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the effects of nursing interventions based on the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (ETPB) regarding self-efficacy for exercise (SEE), physical activity (PA), physical function (PF), and quality of life (QOL) in patients with lung cancer who have undergone pulmonary resection.METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted between July 2015 and June 2018 in two university-affiliated hospitals. The intervention included pre-operative patient education, goal setting (action and coping planning), and feedback (behavior intention and perceived behavioral control). The intervention group (IG) (n=51) received nursing interventions from the day before surgery to 12 months after lung resection, while the comparison group (CG) (n=36) received usual care. SEE, PA, PF (dyspnea, functional status, and 6-minute walking distance [6MWD]), and QOL were measured before surgery and at one, three, six, and 12 months after surgery. Data were analyzed using the χ² test, Fisher's exact test, Mann–Whitney U test, t-test, and generalized estimation equations (GEE).RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups regarding SEE (χ²=13.53, p=.009), PA (χ²=9.51, p=.049), functional status (χ²=10.55, p=.032), and 6MWD (χ²=15.62, p=.004). Although there were no time or group effects, the QOL mental component (Z=−2.78, p=.005) of the IG was higher than that of the CG one month after surgery. Interventions did not affect dyspnea or the QOL physical component.CONCLUSION: The intervention of this study was effective in improving SEE, PA, functional status, and 6MWD of lung cancer patients after lung resection. Further extended investigations that utilize ETPB are warranted to confirm these results.
Dyspnea ; Exercise ; Humans ; Intention ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung ; Motor Activity ; Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Nursing ; Patient Education as Topic ; Quality of Life ; Self Efficacy ; Walking

Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; rehabilitation ; Critical Illness ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pandemics ; Patient Education as Topic ; Pneumonia, Viral ; rehabilitation ; Respiratory Therapy ; methods

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetes increase the risk of significant morbidity and mortality and can affect quality of life. PAD is a progressive disease, and the presence of diabetes mellitus increases the risk of adverse outcomes among patients with PAD. Diabetes patients should undergo an initial screening for PAD that evaluates walking speed, leg fatigue, claudication, and pedal pulses. Healthcare providers should discuss with their patients controllable risk factors for PAD that can be modified. A comprehensive care plan for patients with PAD and diabetes mellitus is important and may include smoking cessation, structured exercise therapy, foot care, glycemic control and management of other cardiovascular risk factors (weight management, diet, and control of blood pressure and cholesterol). PAD with diabetes mellitus is a lifelong chronic medical condition, and prompt identification and treatment of PAD are crucial. Patient education is needed to prevent complications and to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
Blood Pressure ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diet ; Education ; Exercise Therapy ; Fatigue ; Foot ; Health Education ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Leg ; Life Style ; Mass Screening ; Mortality ; Patient Education as Topic ; Peripheral Arterial Disease ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors ; Smoking Cessation ; Walking

A hospitalist system in Korea began in August 2016. Patient safety issues, resident law, and reduction of resident numbers in Korea are leading to an increase in the demand for hospitalist in Korea. The roles and responsibilities of GI hospitalists have not been established. Therefore, cooperation among the Korean society of gastroenterology, each hospital, and government is necessary. In particular, it is important to prepare an education program for gastroenterology hospitalists.
Education ; Gastroenterology ; Hospitalists ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Jurisprudence ; Korea ; Patient Safety

Pain therapy often entails gastrointestinal adverse events. While opioids are effective drugs for pain relief, the incidence of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) varies greatly from 15% to as high as 81%. This can lead to a significant impairment in quality of life, often resulting in discontinuation of opioid therapy. In this regard, a good doctor-patient relationship is especially pivotal when initiating opioid therapy. In addition to a detailed history of bowel habits, patient education regarding the possible gastrointestinal side effects of the drugs is crucial. In addition, the bowel function must be regularly evaluated for the entire duration of treatment with opioids. Furthermore, if the patient has preexisting constipation that is well under control, continuation of that treatment is important. In the absence of such history, general recommendations should include sufficient fluid intake, physical activity, and regular intake of dietary fiber. In patients of OIC with ongoing opioid therapy, the necessity of opioid use should be critically reevaluated in terms of an with acceptable quality of life, particularly in cases of non-cancer pain. If opioids must be continued, lowering the dose may help, as well as changing the type of opioid. If these measures do not suffice, the next step for persistent OIC is the administration of laxatives. If these are ineffective as well, treatment with peripherally active μ-opioid receptor antagonists should be considered. Enemas and irrigation are emergency measures, often used as a last resort.
Analgesics, Opioid ; Constipation ; Dietary Fiber ; Emergencies ; Enema ; Health Resorts ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laxatives ; Motor Activity ; Narcotic Antagonists ; Pain Management ; Patient Education as Topic ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; Quality of Life