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Optimal strategies to prevent progression towards overt diabetes in women with recent gestational diabetes remain ill defined. We report a pilot study of a convenient, home based exercise program with telephone support, suited to the early post-partum period. Twenty eight women with recent gestational diabetes were enrolled at six weeks post-partum into a 12 week randomised controlled trial of Usual Care (n = 13) versus Supported Care (individualised exercise program with regular telephone support; n = 15). Baseline characteristics (Mean ± SD) were: Age  33 ± 4  years; Weight 80 ± 20 kg and Body Mass Index (BMI) 30.0 ± 9.7 kg/m2. The primary outcome, planned physical activity {Median (Range)}, increased by 60 (0–540) mins/week in the SC group versus 0 (0–580) mins/week in the UC group (P = 0.234). Walking was the predominant physical activity. Body weight, BMI, waist circumference, % body fat, fasting glucose and insulin did not change significantly over time in either group. This intervention designed to increase physical activity in post-partum women with previous gestational diabetes proved feasible. However, no measurable improvement in metabolic or biometric parameters was observed over a three month period.

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Aims. To develop a program to support behaviour changes for women with a history of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2 to delay or prevent Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Methods. Women diagnosed with GDM in the previous 6 to 24 months and BMI > 25 kg/m2 were randomized to an intervention (I) (n = 16) or a control (C) (n = 15) group. The intervention was a pedometer program combined with nutrition coaching, with the primary outcome increased weight loss in the intervention group. Secondary outcomes included decreased waist and hip measurements, improved insulin sensitivity and body composition, increased physical activity, and improved self-efficacy in eating behaviours. Results. Median (IQR) results were as follows: weight: I −2.5 (2.3) kg versus C +0.2 (1.6) kg (P = 0.009), waist: I −3.6 (4.5) cm versus C −0.1 (3.6) cm (P = 0.07), and hip: I −5.0 (3.3) cm versus C −0.2 (2.6) cm (P = 0.002). There was clinical improvement in physical activity and eating behaviours and no significant changes in glucose metabolism or body composition. Conclusion. A pedometer program and nutrition coaching proved effective in supporting weight loss, waist circumference, physical activity, and eating behaviours in women with previous GDM.

Objectives: To explore how undergraduate health care students use digital technology to deliver patient care during their clinical placements.Design: A scoping review of primary research was conducted using the extended PRISMA guidelines. Data sources:A subject specialist librarian assisted in searching for the academic literature in four electronic databases: CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus and ERIC.Review methods: Four reviewers, working in pairs, independently reviewed a total of 332 potentially relevant articles according to set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then, all included papers underwent an independent quality review by two reviewers.Results: Seven studies involving medical or nursing/midwifery students were included in the review. Three studies evaluated the use of mobile learning devices in patient care with four studies evaluating the use of digital systems in practice. Due to the heterogeneity of studies, which used differing digital systems and instruments, the researchers decided the most suitable method of analysis was a narrative review. The results are explained using four key themes: student learning needs when using technology in practice; access to technology in placements; perceptions of using technology in placements; and impact of technology on patient care. Conclusion:The use of digital systems in clinical settings creates challenges and benefits to student learning in delivering patient care. When students are prepared and facilitated to use digital systems, a sense of confidence and belonging to the team is fostered. Lack of availability and access to these systems, however, may impede students' ability to be involved in all aspects of patient care. Limitations of the current review included the relatively low quality of the educational research being conducted in this field of research. Further quality research is needed to explore how students in the health care professions are supported in digital environments and how higher education institutions are adapting their curricula to meet the digital learning needs of health care students. Highlights Digitalisation of health care has become a widespread practice  Preparation and support are essential for using digital systems on placements  Students feel a sense of belonging when provided with access to patient information  Further support is required for students to integrate the use of technology during the patient encounter

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The aim of this systematic review was to determine the safety and effectiveness of parent-or nursecontrolled analgesia on neonatal patient outcomes. More specifically, the objective was to determine the effect of parent-or nurse-controlled analgesia on neonatal pain scores, analgesic use, and incidence of iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome, as well as any opioid-associated adverse events Introduction: Despite recent innovations in neonatology leading to significant improvements in short-and long-term outcomes for newborns requiring intensive care, optimal management of pain and distress remains a challenge for the multidisciplinary treatment team. The inability of neonates to communicate pain easily, inconsistent practice among health professionals, insufficient analgesic prescriptions, and delays in medical reviews all impact effective pain management. Exploring the effect of parent-or nurse-controlled analgesia may identify a modality that negates these concerns and improves the pharmacological management of pain in newborns.Inclusion criteria: This review considered experimental and observational studies evaluating the safety and effectiveness of parent-or nurse-controlled analgesia that included babies born at 23 weeks' gestation to four weeks post-term. The interventions considered for inclusion were any type of analgesia delivered by an infusion pump that allowed bolus dosing or a continuous analgesic infusion with bolus dosing as required. Studies using algorithms and protocols to guide timing and dosage were eligible for inclusion. Comparators included the standard management of pain for neonates in the newborn intensive care unit. A modification to the a priori protocol was made to include all neonates nursed outside of a neonatal intensive care unit to ensure all studies that examined the use of parent-or nurse-controlled analgesia in the neonatal population were included in the review.Methods: An extensive search of six major databases was conducted (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science). Studies published from 1997 to 2020 in English were considered for inclusion in this review. Databases searched for unpublished studies included MedNar and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.Results: Fourteen studies were included in this review: two randomized controlled trials, six quasi-experimental studies, one case-control study, and five case series. There was considerable heterogeneity in the interventions and study outcome measures within the studies, resulting in an inability to statistically pool results. The small sample sizes and inability to distinguish data specific to neonates in six of the studies resulted in low quality of evidence for the safety and effectiveness of parent-or nurse-controlled analgesia in neonates. However, studies reporting neonatal data demonstrated low pain scores and a trend in reduced opioid consumption when parent-or nurse-controlled analgesia was used. Conclusions:The use of parent-or nurse-controlled analgesia in the neonatal population has shown ...

Aim: To explore undergraduate nursing and midwifery student perspectives of using digital patient systems on clinical placements. Design:This was an interpretative qualitative design study.Methods: Undergraduate nursing and midwifery students in a large Australian metropolitan university were invited to participate in two focus groups from April to June 2019. Twenty (20) students participated and data on their perspective of using digital systems on placement were collected. Thematic analysis using NVivo 12 software was undertaken.Findings: Students identified benefits and challenges when moving between paper records and digital systems. Whilst paper reporting was more efficient for some processes, the students recognised the advantages of digital technology, such as enabling greater confidentiality and consolidation of patient data in one place. However, they also reported difficulty with student access and the size of the portal digital workstation at the bedside. Generally, the lack of preparation and access was considered frustrating and mitigated some of the benefits described when using digital systems. Conclusions:Nursing and midwifery students prefer to be prepared for both paper and digital record keeping. Whilst students identify the benefits of digital platforms, not having direct access mitigates the benefits of these systems. Students identified the use of simulation and interactive modules prior to commencement of clinical practice to enable them to feel more confident with using the systems in patient care.Impact: Health care students require direct access to digital health platforms whilst on clinical placement to facilitate their learning. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are in a unique position to work with health care providers to better prepare health care professionals, including nurses and midwives, to work with digital health care systems. Further research is needed to develop the educational preparation for nurses, midwives, and other health care professionals to work with digital systems in practice.