Editorial Material
Oncology
D. Cristina Stefan, Shenglan Tang
Summary: Most new cancer cases occur in low- and middle-income countries, with worse outcomes compared to high-income countries. Innovative solutions are urgently required to prevent, detect early, and manage cancer in these countries, aiming to improve the chances of survival.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tomi Akinyemiju, Kemi Ogunsina, Anjali Gupta, Iris Liu, Dejana Braithwaite, Robert A. Hiatt
Summary: Cancer burden is increasing globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. These countries lack comprehensive cancer control programs and funding, therefore primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies are needed to reduce the cancer burden.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Moustaq Karim Khan Rony, Priyanka Das Sharmi, Hasnat M. Alamgir
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health crisis, with low and middle-income countries facing unique obstacles in addressing this issue. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, this article identifies the challenges faced by these countries in tackling AMR and proposes effective strategies to overcome them.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Xiaofei Wang, Hayley M. Sanders, Yuchen Liu, Kennarey Seang, Bach Xuan Tran, Atanas G. Atanasov, Yue Qiu, Shenglan Tang, Josip Car, Ya Xing Wang, Tien Yin Wong, Yih-Chung Tham, Kevin C. Chung
Summary: This article discusses the potential use of ChatGPT as a tool to aid public health efforts in low- and middle-income countries. It highlights the benefits of ChatGPT in various domains such as health literacy, screening, remote healthcare support, and provides a balanced discussion on the opportunities and challenges.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Sung Jin Park, Alisa Wai, Keechilat Pavithran, Beena Kunheri, Koravangattu Valsraj
Summary: Patients with severe mental illness in low- and middle-income countries face health inequalities and compounding factors, making it necessary to integrate psycho-oncology to reduce disparities and address varied contributory factors.
Review
Oncology
Anna Cabanes, Carolyn Taylor, Carly Malburg, Phuong Thao D. Le
Summary: This scoping review aimed to assess the type of supportive care interventions for cancer patients across the cancer care continuum in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). The findings suggest that providing different types of supportive services in less-resourced settings, even when health systems are fragmented and fragile, can improve the mental and physical health as well as the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Andrew Donkor, Vivian Della Atuwo-Ampoh, Frederick Yakanu, Eric Torgbenu, Edward Kwabena Ameyaw, Doris Kitson-Mills, Verna Vanderpuye, Kofi Adesi Kyei, Samuel Anim-Sampong, Omar Khader, Jamal Khader
Summary: In low- and middle-income countries, cancer patients generally face high financial toxicity, with patients from larger households, undergoing multiple cycles of chemotherapy, and seeking treatment at private health facilities experiencing higher financial toxicity. Studies have paid little attention to subjective measures of financial toxicity, indicating a need for further rigorous research.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Francis Ooko, Tebogo Mothiba, Peter Van Bogaert, Johan Wens
Summary: Women with advanced uterine cervical cancer face various challenges in accessing palliative care, including limited availability and affordability, as well as geographic and cultural barriers. Efforts should be made to improve access and provide health education in low- and middle-income countries.
BMC PALLIATIVE CARE
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Grace Kayola, Mataa M. Mataa, Melody Asukile, Lorraine Chishimba, Mashina Chomba, Dominique Mortel, Aparna Nutakki, Stanley Zimba, Deanna Saylor
Summary: Stroke is a major cause of disability worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to acute stroke interventions is limited. Effective poststroke rehabilitation is crucial for promoting recovery, but faces numerous barriers in these countries. This article summarizes the challenges faced by individuals with stroke in accessing rehabilitation services, the consequences of lack of access, and potential strategies to improve access and quality of rehabilitation services in low- and middle-income countries.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Senthil J. Rajappa, Rakesh Pinninti, Chandrakanth Are
Summary: Surgery is the only curative treatment for localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma, but delivering adjuvant chemotherapy can be suboptimal in some cases, leading to poor outcomes. Implementing standard neoadjuvant therapies in low to middle-income countries with limited resources may present challenges.
JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Nursing
Nahyeni Bassah, Lisa Vaughn, Anna Santos Salas
Summary: This study aims to explore the nature and extent of nurse-led palliative care models in low- and middle-income countries for adults with life-limiting conditions. Through a literature review, three nurse-led palliative care models were identified: nurse-led empowering care, nurse-led symptom control, and nurse-led multicomponent palliative care. The results showed the feasibility of these models in low- and middle-income countries and their positive impact on treatment adherence, self-care ability, quality of life, and access to palliative care. Therefore, there is a need to expand the role of nurses and develop advanced practice nurses and nurse practitioner programs with palliative care content.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Lisa A. Newman
Summary: Breast cancer incidence rates are increasing in low and middle-income countries, where access to advanced treatment is limited. In these regions, screening and early detection are crucial, and alternatives like clinical breast examination, breast health awareness, and addressing modifiable lifestyle factors seem to be more realistic at present.
BEST PRACTICE & RESEARCH CLINICAL OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Guy Frija, Dina H. Salama, Michael G. Kawooya, Bibb Allen
Summary: The concept of primary healthcare is crucial in LMICs for enhancing access to healthcare services. Technological and infrastructure advancements are making POCI more feasible in LMICs. A POCI model is often the only way to provide timely access to imaging care in LMICs. Bringing advanced imaging tools to the POCI will be necessary to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. Tailored strategies for training, safety, and quality will be of utmost importance.
Review
Neurosciences
Johannes M. N. Enslin, Nqobile S. Thango, Anthony Figaji, Graham A. Fieggen
Summary: Hydrocephalus is one of the most commonly treated neurosurgical conditions worldwide, requiring infrastructure, political support, and innovation to care for patients. Low- and middle-income countries face challenges such as limited hardware access and high incidence of post-infectious hydrocephalus. Initiatives to improve neurosurgical care and training, as well as patient education, are needed to enhance the quality of life for patients.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Jamilah Meghji, Kevin Mortimer, Alvar Agusti, Brian W. Allwood, Innes Asher, Eric D. Bateman, Karen Bissell, Charlotte E. Bolton, Andrew Bush, Bartolome Celli, Chen-Yuan Chiang, Alvaro A. Cruz, Anh-Tuan Dinh-Xuan, Asma El Sony, Kwun M. Fong, Paula I. Fujiwara, Mina Gaga, Luis Garcia-Marcos, David M. G. Halpin, John R. Hurst, Shamanthi Jayasooriya, Ajay Kumar, Maria V. Lopez-Varela, Refiloe Masekela, Bertrand H. Mbatchou Ngahane, Maria Montes de Oca, Neil Pearce, Helen K. Reddel, Sundeep Salvi, Sally J. Singh, Cherian Varghese, Claus F. Vogelmeier, Paul Walker, Heather J. Zar, Guy B. Marks
Summary: Low-income and middle-income countries bear a high burden of global morbidity and mortality caused by chronic respiratory diseases, with challenges in prevention, diagnosis, and management. Solutions are needed to achieve true universal health coverage in LMICs.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jonathan Bayuo, Hammoda Abu-Odah, Adwoa Owusuaa Koduah
Summary: This scoping review aimed to investigate the components, integration models, and outcomes of palliative care interventions for burn patients. The study found that effective interventions include decision-making, communication, symptom management, spiritual support, and emotional and practical support. Consultative and integrative models were identified as strategies for integrating palliative care in the burn unit. However, the limited number of studies and lack of standardized outcomes make it difficult to draw stronger conclusions regarding the most effective measures in the burn unit.
JOURNAL OF PALLIATIVE CARE
(2023)
Article
Gerontology
Shirley K. L. Lo, Justina Y. W. Liu, Daphne S. K. Cheung, Yue-Heng Yin, Siu Ying Ng, Patrick P. K. Kor, Lin Yang, Siu Kay Chan, Rick Y. C. Kwan, Paul H. Lee, Vico C. L. Chiang
Summary: This study examined the perceptions of aging well among the oldest-old population and the impacts of COVID-19 on them. The findings showed that maintaining functional ability, staying active with a positive attitude, and feeling grateful for support were important for their well-being. However, COVID-19-related anxieties and policies destabilized their well-being.
Article
Nursing
Jonathan Bayuo, Frances Kam Yuet Wong, Rose Lin, Jing Jing Su, Hammoda Abu-Odah
Summary: Living with post-burn scars is a challenging process, especially for individuals whose injuries are due to self-immolation. The findings highlight a latent yet ongoing process towards subjective recovery, and clinicians need to incorporate these processes into rehabilitation programs to provide support for burn survivors.
JOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jing Jing Su, Jenniffer Paguio, William Mooketsi Baratedi, Hammoda Abu-Odah, Ladislav Batalik
Summary: This study explored the experiences of patients participating in the NeCR program. The study found that the NeCR program promoted behavior change and mitigated emotional distress post-coronary heart disease through cognitive determinants and social support. Patients appreciated the affordability, accessibility, and reliability of the NeCR, while also expressing psychological, contextual, and technical barriers.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Weilin Chen, Joyce Oi Kwan Chung, Katherine Ka Wai Lam, Alex Molassiotis
Summary: This scoping review aimed to summarise recommended end-of-life communication strategies for healthcare professionals and identify research gaps for future studies. The results identified seven themes of communication strategies, including preparation, exploration and assessment, family involvement, information provision and tailoring, empathic emotional responses, reframing and revisiting goals of care, and conversation closure.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Alex Molassiotis, Mian Wang
Summary: This review summarizes current research evidence on the care needs of older patients with advanced cancer, including disease management, treatment, and treatment-related side effects. It highlights the unique care needs of older patients and the lack of comprehensive understanding due to insufficient research evidence. Future efforts should focus on developing better assessment methods and interventions to address the care needs of older patients with advanced cancer.
CURRENT OPINION IN SUPPORTIVE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Muzi Liang, Peng Chen, Alex Molassiotis, Sangchoon Jeon, Ying Tang, Guangyun Hu, Yunfei Zhu, Zhe Sun, Yuanling Yu, Tish M. Knobf, Zengjie Ye
Summary: This study examined the measurement invariance of the 10-Item Resilience Scale (RS-SC-10) in American and Chinese cancer patients using propensity score-based multidimensional item response theory analysis. The results identified partial measurement invariance between the two groups, but the RS-SC-10 remains a critical indicator for emotional distress in cancer care.
ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY NURSING
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Qi Liu, Ka Yan Ho, Katherine Ka Wai Lam, Jacqueline Mei Chi Ho, Winsome Lam, Polly Ma, Hammoda Abu-Odah, Getaneh Mulualem Belay, Dong-Lan Ling, Shirley-Siu-Yin Ching, Frances-Kam-Yuet Wong
Summary: This paper describes a protocol to systematically summarize the characteristics of studies related to existing spiritual interventions and synthesize their effectiveness on psychological outcomes and quality of life among children with cancer. The study plans to search ten databases to identify appropriate literature and include all randomized controlled trials that meet the inclusion criteria. The primary outcome will be quality of life as evaluated by self-reported measures, and the secondary outcomes will be self-reported or objectively measured psychological outcomes including anxiety and depression.
Article
Oncology
Hammoda Abu-Odah, Alex Molassiotis, Justina Yat Wa Liu
Summary: This study aimed to define the optimal cutoff score of distress thermometer for screening psychological distress among advanced cancer patients in resource-limited countries. The study found that a cutoff score of 6 on the distress thermometer was acceptable and effective for identifying distress in advanced cancer patients. The high prevalence of distress among Palestinian patients supports the need for psychological interventions in cancer care.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Nursing
Yaqi Huang, Ken Hok Man Ho, Martin Christensen, Duo Wai-Chi Wong, Shanshan Wang, Jing Jing Su, Ivy Yan Zhao, Patrick Pui Kin Kor, Justina Yat Wa Liu, James Chung-Wai Cheung, Angela Yee Man Leung, Daphne Sze Ki Cheung
Summary: VR-based simulation interventions can enhance empathy of informal caregivers of people with dementia. Mixed findings were found regarding the effects of the interventions on empathy enhancement, but they showed positive effects on the caregivers' knowledge of dementia and emotion-focused coping strategies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Jonathan Bayuo, Lydia Aziato, Kwan Ching Arkers Wong, Jingjing Su, Hammoda Abu-Odah, Frances Kam Yuet Wong
Summary: This discussion paper provides an in-depth analysis and comparison of phenomenography, highlighting its unique position as a qualitative research approach in the field of nursing. It emphasizes the importance of phenomenography and offers guidance for its further application in nursing.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jing Jing Su, Hammoda Abu-Odah, Jonathan Bayuo, Rose Sin Yi Lin, Xiaoling Luo, Alex Molassiotis
Summary: This study explored the caregiving experiences of non-family paid helpers providing palliative care to stroke patients. The findings indicate that monetary compensation and a reciprocal caregiving relationship are the primary motives for providing care. However, helpers also face a lack of recognition from the public, being invisible to the healthcare system/professionals, and insecurity in employment rights. The study supports the need for government initiatives to subsidize families in employing helpers and emphasizes the importance of public recognition, contractual employment rights, and recognition by the healthcare system and professionals.
JOURNAL OF PALLIATIVE CARE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yan Li, Mengqi Li, Lin Yang, Daniel Bressington, Sau-Fong Leung, Yao-Jie Xie, Jing Qin, Alex Molasiotis, Angela Leung
Summary: The emergence of new coronavirus variants and waning immunity from COVID-19 vaccines highlight the importance of regular vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy is a major global health threat, yet little is known about the hesitancy towards regular COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of hesitancy for regular COVID-19 vaccination.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Qingling Yang, Quanzhi Zhang, Fei Wan Ngai, Shaoling Wang, Dexing Zhang, Yang Gao, Chun Hao, Harry Haoxiang Wang, Oi Ching Bernice Lam Nogueira, Ming Liu, Alex Molasiotis, Alice Loke, Yaojie Xie
Summary: This study examined the prevalence of multimorbidity and its association with lifestyle factors among Chinese adults in Macau. The results showed that overweight, obesity, former drinkers, and poor sleep quality were associated with a higher risk of developing multimorbidity. On the other hand, having a healthier lifestyle was associated with a lower risk of developing multimorbidity.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Ching-Ju Chiu, Yi-Hsuan Lo, Jed Montayre, Hammoda Abu-Odah, Mei-Lan Chen, Ivy Yan Zhao
Summary: This study explores the needs and preferences of older Chinese immigrants towards the appearance and function of aged care robots, and examines their relationship with demographic characteristics. The results reveal that most participants prefer a humanlike appearance and desire aged care robots that can provide housework assistance, language translation, health monitoring, and security monitoring. Marital status, financial status, and duration of immigration were found to be significantly associated with these preferences.