International journal of health sciences
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Barriers to effective pain management in oncology units: Insights into nursing and health administration
Full text linkBackground: Effective pain management in oncology settings is critical yet often hindered by various challenges. Nurses frequently face physical, psychological, and systemic barriers when managing cancer-related pain. Aim: This study aims to explore the barriers oncology nurses encounter in pain management and identify strategies to overcome these challenges, with implications for both nursing practice and health administration. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to analyze the difficulties faced by oncology nurses, focusing on aspects such as pain assessment, medication administration, education, and interprofessional communication. Results: Key barriers identified include inadequate pain assessment tools, concerns surrounding opioid use, and insufficient interprofessional communication. Strategies employed by nurses to address these challenges include advocating for systemic changes, implementing continuous pain assessments, and fostering collaboration within the healthcare team. Conclusion: Oncology nurses are pivotal in improving pain management by identifying barriers, advocating for effective solutions, and ensuring optimal patient care. Enhancing communication, education, and administrative support can further empower nurses to address these challenges effectively
The role of nurses and healthcare administrators in advancing value-based care models: Implications for integrated health administration, nursing, and pharmacy
Full text linkBackground: Value-based care (VBC) models, which focus on enhancing patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs, represent a transformative shift in the delivery of healthcare. By prioritizing quality over quantity, these models align incentives with the achievement of health outcomes rather than the volume of services provided. VBC approaches, including Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs), bundled payment systems, and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), aim to address the rising burden of chronic diseases, escalating healthcare expenditures, and disparities in access to care. Despite their potential benefits, VBC models face challenges such as workforce readiness, compatibility with data management systems, and equitable implementation across diverse patient populations. Aim: This study explores the theoretical foundations, methods of implementation, and outcomes associated with VBC models, with a particular focus on the critical roles played by nurses and healthcare administrators in enhancing the planning, execution, and evaluation of these models. Methods: A comprehensive review of case studies, policy papers, and peer-reviewed literature was conducted. The analysis emphasizes the integration of technology, operationalization of VBC, and the contributions of interdisciplinary teams in improving care standards and reducing costs. 
The role of prehabilitation in hamstring tendon ACL reconstruction: A randomized controlled trial
Full text linkAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common procedure, with hamstring tendon autografts frequently used. Post-operative rehabilitation plays a crucial role in recovery, and prehabilitation, or pre-surgical rehabilitation, has shown potential in enhancing post-operative outcomes. Despite its proven benefits in other surgical fields, the specific role of prehabilitation in hamstring tendon ACL reconstruction remains understudied. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a prehabilitation program on muscle strength, knee function, range of motion (ROM), and overall recovery time in patients undergoing hamstring tendon ACL reconstruction. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 patients scheduled for hamstring tendon ACL reconstruction at BIRRD HOSPITAL. Participants were randomly assigned to either a prehabilitation group (n = 30), which underwent a 4-week pre-surgical exercise regimen focusing on strength, flexibility, and proprioception, or a control group (n = 30), which received standard care without pre-surgical intervention. Outcome measures included knee function (IKDC and Lysholm scores), muscle strength (measured through isokinetic testing), and ROM, assessed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-surgery. The prehabilitation group demonstrated significantly improved knee function, muscle strength, and ROM at all follow-up intervals compared to the control group
Optimizing care for patients with infectious diseases: Roles of emergency medical services and nursing
Full text linkBackground: Internal medicine (IM) and its subspecialties have seen a shift in care delivery, increasingly relying on nonphysician practitioners (NPPs) such as nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs). This article focuses on the development of a curriculum and competency framework for advanced care practitioners (ACPs) specializing in infectious diseases (ID). Aim: To establish a comprehensive competency-based education (CBE) model for NPs and PAs in ID, aiming to enhance their skills and optimize patient care. Methods: The framework incorporates six core competencies endorsed by various regulatory and professional organizations. An interprofessional approach was utilized to develop a curriculum that addresses the educational needs of ACPs in ID practice, along with assessing Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs). Results: The proposed guidelines outline specific clinical responsibilities and milestones for ACPs over a one-year training period. This structured approach ensures that ACPs develop competencies in patient care, medical knowledge, interpersonal skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice, allowing them to effectively manage common and complex infectious diseases. Conclusion: The integration of ACPs into infectious disease practice is vital for enhancing patient care and alleviating resident workload. 
Brief communication participation in social activities of six individuals with advanced-stage hereditary motor sensory neuropathy with proximal dominant involvement (HMSN-P)
Full text linkThe intractable neurological disease HMSN-P (hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with proximal dominant involvement) includes four-limb paralysis and resembles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although the long-term employment and social activities of individuals with severe neurological diseases have increased with improvements in medical/welfare services, those of individuals with HMSN-P have not been reported. We analyzed the long-term outcomes of six individuals with advanced-stage HMSN-P treated in 2018–2023; one exhibited proximal dominant quadriplegia in 2018 and was using an electric wheelchair with full assistance. He had continued to attend Sanshin concerts for 5 years and organized a music festival for the local handicapped population. The other patients similarly exhibited quadriplegia; three were using electric wheelchairs with full assistance, and two were using pushchairs. Four attended music festivals for the handicapped, and all have completed 20–35 years' continuous employment, attended public meetings about HMSN-P, and actively participated in the meetings' discussions
Strongyloides stercoralis infection presenting as protein losing enteropathy
Full text linkStrongyloides sterocoralis infection poses significant diagnostic challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings where the condition is most prevalent. We present a young male in South Africa who developed a protein-losing enteropathy secondary to Strongyloides hyperinfection, making the first reported presentation of this kind in South Africa. The broad spectrum of potential clinical manifestations complicates this treatable condition's prompt recognition and diagnosis. Despite its therapeutic simplicity, data indicates that the prevalence of Strongyloides infection is significantly overlooked and underreported, highlighting the need for increased clinical awareness and improved diagnostic capabilities in endemic regions
Sexually transmitted infections: An updated review article for healthcare professionals
Full text linkBackground: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a significant public health concern worldwide, frequently going untreated and leading to severe health complications. The prevalence of STIs, particularly in underserved populations, necessitates a comprehensive understanding of their epidemiology, transmission, and management. Aim: This review aims to provide healthcare professionals with an updated overview of the most prevalent STIs, their epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and effective prevention and treatment strategies. Methods: The review synthesizes current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), alongside relevant literature on STI pathogenesis, symptomatology, and management protocols. It also highlights the need for improved data collection systems to track and manage STI incidence effectively. Results: The review identifies the seven most prevalent STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HIV, HPV, and trichomoniasis, detailing their transmission routes, risk factors, and treatment options. Epidemiological data indicate a rising trend in STI cases, particularly in populations aged 15 to 50, with significant co-infection rates observed among those with HIV. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for healthcare providers to enhance their knowledge of STIs to implement effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment measures. 
Family empowerment in support of pregnancy examination: Scoping review
Full text linkThe maternal mortality rate (MMR) in the world in 2020 was 223 per 100,000 live births. The Maternal Mortality Rate in Indonesia (MMR) was 189 (BPS, 2020). The adequacy of K1 in 2022 in South Sumatra was 94%, an increase from 2021 with a coverage of 92%. The coverage of K4 in South Sumatra in 2022 was 91%, an increase compared to the previous year of 90%. The purpose of this scoping review is to review family empowerment in the context of supporting pregnancy examinations. This Scoping Review method uses the PEOS framework and article identification using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results of this study found 6 articles and 6 themes. The themes are family empowerment, support for pregnant women, and examination of pregnant women. Suggestions for further researchers are to also provide special services only for pregnant women, health services for facilities with homes that are far away
A case report of midgut atresia presenting with gastroschisis
Full text linkWe describe a case of a newborn who presented at birth with midgut atresia and mummified midgut tissue protruding from abdominal wall defect that had closed spontaneously. This case highlights an instance of spontaneous closure of an abdominal wall defect, associated with an in-utero midgut vascular incident. It offers unique insight into the potential mechanisms underlying gastroschisis pathophysiology
Exploring the frontiers of transcriptomics: Methods, applications, and future perspectives
Full text linkBackground: By allowing for the thorough characterization of gene expression, transcriptomics—the study of RNA transcripts generated by the genome—has transformed molecular biology and biomedical research. This area of study offers vital insights into the functioning dynamics of biological systems, cellular mechanisms, and the course of disease. The speed of transcriptomics research has increased due to developments in high-throughput sequencing technologies, especially RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), which enables researchers to examine bulk and single-cell transcriptomes with previously unheard-of resolution. Our comprehension of transcriptome data in the larger framework of omics sciences is further improved by the incorporation of bioinformatics techniques. Aim: this study is to give a thorough introduction to transcriptomics, emphasizing its methods, uses, and difficulties. It also aims to draw attention to current developments in the subject and how they affect environmental sciences, health, and medicine. Methods: Results from peer-reviewed publications published between 2020 and 2024 are combined in this study. Together with bioinformatics tools for data processing, it critically evaluates transcriptome techniques such as RNA-seq, single-cell transcriptomics, and spatial transcriptomics. With an emphasis on integrated omics, applications in ecological studies, biotechnology, and disease research are examined. Findings: Transcriptomics has greatly improved our comprehension of intricate biological processes.