In a recent blog post, I introduced our study developing a smart-sensing sock to detect and prevent diabetic foot ulcers caused by rubbing, and the importance of understanding patient context when designing health devices. We have now spoken with a range of people with diabetic neuropathy, as well as their carers and podiatrists, and asked them if, when, and how, they would use a device like the smart-sensing sock we are designing. Here is what we found. Sensor sock closeup Manchester Fashion Institute To many, the idea seemed like science fiction, too good to be true, or they doubted the po ..read more

What is Perthes’ disease? Perthes’ Disease is a rare condition that affects the developing femoral head (the “ball” of the “ball and socket” hip joint) of a child due to poor blood supply. In this condition, the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted and this leads to joint deformity. The destruction typically causes the femoral head to flatten and not fit well in the acetabulum (the “socket” of the hip joint). This in turn can cause significant pain for children with Perthes’ disease and limit their activity levels significantly. ©Syda Productions / stock.adobe.com Doctor examining a ..read more

Kidney cancer poses a significant healthcare burden in the UK, with 13,000 new patients diagnosed annually, a 52% survival rate, and nearly 5,000 patients dying each year. The US faces similar problems, with 81,000 new cases and nearly 14,000 deaths annually. The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has more than doubled in the last 50 years and is increasing by 2-3% every year. Once the cancer has spread (metastasized) kidney cancer has a poor 5-year survival rate of 12%. Patients with metastatic kidney cancer can be offered a range of drugs, including targeted agents and immunotherapy, b ..read more

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it is important to make sure that we think about ALL people with disabilities. Children and young people with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) are some of the most vulnerable young people in our society. Children and young people with PMLD usually have complex health conditions and need help with many areas of daily life. People with PMLD find communicating their needs and wishes difficult. Being able to communicate is important for ensuring that children/young people and those who care for them have a good quality of li ..read more

Discrimination based on one’s group membership can be a significant source of stress. When it occurs frequently, it can have a long-term impact on both physical and mental health, as per the Minority Stress Model. Unfortunately, a recent poll reveals that 45% of Romanian LGBT+ respondents have experienced discrimination in at least one aspect of life within the past year. This makes Romania one of the EU nations with the lowest rates of LGBT+ inclusion. Although all LGBT+ individuals may experience minority stress, younger sexual minorities appear to be at greater risk of suffering negative e ..read more

Nursing assessments Nursing assessments are the basis for making diagnoses and interventions that meet the needs of the patient. Therefore, any error, lack of information or use of inadequate instruments can affect the next steps in the nursing care process, affecting the quality of care, safety and patient satisfaction. Despite their relevance, nurses perceive nursing assessments as an administrative burden due to the increase in duplicated items. Different studies have shown that the registry of nursing assessments does not meet adequate standards of quantity and quality of information. Some ..read more

A social-media-based health education plus exercise programme (SHEEP) Despite the comparatively high prevalence of possible sarcopenia among adults who are in the young-older age category (aged 60-69 years) in the community, there is currently no available and effective social media-based intervention to increase the awareness and behaviour of the target population to prevent sarcopenia. Using the co-design methodology, we developed a multicomponent intervention strategy of health education and exercise for sarcopenia prevention using the TikTok platform. The primary purpose of this study is t ..read more

What is oral mucositis? Oral mucositis means that the inside of your mouth is red, swollen, and has sores or wounds. It is one of the most debilitating and bothersome side effects observed in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. The incidence and severity of oral mucositis depend primarily on the chemotherapy regimen and doses used. Antimetabolites, platinum derivatives, taxanes, anthracyclines, irinotecans, and alkylating agents can all promote oral mucositis to varying degrees. The progression and severity of mucositis also depend on the patient’s characteristics. Some of the known ris ..read more

Why is this research necessary? The Russian invasion of Ukraine started in February 2022 and is the largest European ground offensive since World War II. Countless civilians have been killed, and millions of children, women, and elderly people have fled the country. One study found that adolescents living in war-torn regions of Ukraine were at increased risk of experiencing depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms than those in the peaceful areas. These children are also likely to experience comorbidities; for example, those experiencing post-traumatic symptoms are at greater r ..read more

Background 5583 suicides were recorded in 2021 and about 1 in 5 people experience suicidal ideation (suicidal thoughts and plans) in their lifetimes. People who are suicidal find it hard to seek help. They may not know where to go or may doubt that anyone would understand. Stigma, feeling like a burden and, for men, pressure to conform to societal norms concerning masculinity, are also barriers. Early intervention and capitalizing on windows of opportunity are vital. The Lifeguard Pharmacy study tests whether a community pharmacy response service would offer a discreet and accessible help-seek ..read more