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Continuum of Care: Assessment, Management and Rehabilitative Interventions to Improve...
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Continuum of Care: Assessment, Management and Rehabilitative Interventions to Improve Care across Different Settings

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Assessments".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 9077

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Giovanni Morone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
Interests: functional recovery; robot-sassited training; robotic training; neurorehabilitation; virtual reality; motor-cognitive recovery; stroke rehabilitation; serious game therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Nicola Smania

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRNC), Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy
2. Neurorehabilitation Unit, AOUI Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Interests: neurorehabilitation; rehabilitation; posture; physical rehabilitation; musculoskeletal disorders; movement analysis biomechanics; exercise science; sports injuries; muscle function
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, there has been a progressive development in the concept of disease. Indeed, according to the World Health Organization, orienting medicine and health systems to the functioning of the person in the community (rather than to the pathology itself) has significant value. This is effectively represented by the biopsychosocial model on which the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) is founded. Following this principle, it is essential to stimulate research in this area and to encourage the use of outcomes that measure the quality of life, participation of the person in community life, and integration into work. These ambitious objectives can be achieved through a synergy between rehabilitation and health management sciences. On this line, the stage of transition between inpatient regime and returning home, as well as the health territorial phase, should be increasingly considered.

In this Special Issue, original manuscripts as well as reviews which address the problems of patients with sequelae of central nervous system diseases in their territorial phase are welcome. Specifically, some (but not all) of the potential areas of interest include: rehabilitation and health management interventions for maintaining motor function in the area, the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline, as well as intervention for improving social participation and returning to work.

Dr. Giovanni Morone
Prof. Dr. Nicola Smania
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 648 KiB  
Article
Social Distress among Cancer Patients: Differential Effects of Risk Factors and Attenuating Role of Culturally Specific Social Support
by Omar B. Da’ar, Hoda Jradi, Mohammad Alkaiyat, Ashwaq Alolayan and Abdul Rahman Jazieh
Healthcare 2023, 11(13), 1876; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11131876 - 28 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1213
Abstract
Introduction: We investigated the association between social distress or toxicity and patients’ clinical conditions, demographic characteristics, and social support and networks, and whether this association differs along the distribution of patients’ distress levels. This study included 156 patients treated at King Abdulaziz [...] Read more.
Introduction: We investigated the association between social distress or toxicity and patients’ clinical conditions, demographic characteristics, and social support and networks, and whether this association differs along the distribution of patients’ distress levels. This study included 156 patients treated at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: We used the previously validated Social Toxicity Assessment Tool in Cancer (STAT-C) to assess cancer patients’ distress. We analyzed distress level, the outcome variable of interest, and covariates to show distribution and identify associations. We then used logistic quantile regression for bounded outcomes to assess the association between social distress or toxicity and patients’ clinical conditions, demographic characteristics, and social support and network. As an extension, we examined the interaction between disease status and social support, focusing on the moderating role of social support in attenuating the impact of disease status on social distress. Results: The median age of the patients was 51.2 (SD = 21.4, range 22 to 89), with 48.1% being older than 50 years. Of the 156 cancer patients analyzed, 82 (52.6%) were classified as burdened, and 50% of those with uncontrolled disease status were socially distressed. However, there were more socially distressed patients diagnosed within a year and patients undergoing treatment. There was a greater number of patients who shared their diagnosis with family, colleagues, and neighbors with social distress. The odds of suffering from social distress were higher in younger patients (50 years or younger) than in older patients. Social distress was lower in patients who underwent combined chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation compared with patients who received a single treatment regimen (OR = 0.65, CI, −0.820 to −0.036, p = 0.033). The odds of social distress were 67% higher in patients diagnosed within one year than in patients diagnosed more than one year prior (OR = 1.664, CI, 0.100–0.918, p = 0.015). Patients with uncontrolled disease conditions who shared their diagnosis and treatment with social networks were 48% less likely to experience social distress. Thus, sharing cancer diagnoses with social networks has a statistically significant moderating effect by attenuating the impact of disease status on social distress. Conclusion: Understanding the risk factors for social distress may be important for cancer management. Additionally, identifying the moderating role that patients’ sharing of cancer diagnoses in social networks plays in attenuating the impact of disease status on social distress may provide healthcare providers with valuable insights for holistic culture-specific care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Continuum of Care: Assessment, Management and Rehabilitative Interventions to Improve Care across Different Settings)
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11 pages, 426 KiB  
Article
COPD and Depression Analysis in Regard to Obstructive Pulmonary Levels
by Ivana Jelić, Goran Mihajlović, Filip Mihajlović, Nataša Minić, Miloš Ratinac and Maja Pantović-Stefanović
Healthcare 2023, 11(8), 1175; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11081175 - 19 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 899
Abstract
Depression symptoms take place recurrently in patients suffering from COPD. This study aims to assess the effects of antidepressant therapy in patients with COPD and a depressive disorder in relation to COPD levels. The study population consisted of N = 87 patients diagnosed [...] Read more.
Depression symptoms take place recurrently in patients suffering from COPD. This study aims to assess the effects of antidepressant therapy in patients with COPD and a depressive disorder in relation to COPD levels. The study population consisted of N = 87 patients diagnosed with COPD, according to the GOLD criteria, and a depressive disorder. All of the patients were subjected to clinical and psychiatric exploration according to psychiatric assessment instruments, which was followed by SSRI therapy for the duration of 8 weeks. The main methods used were descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. The results showed a different distribution of depressive symptoms at a different stage of COPD by FEV1 (χ2 = 30.47, df = 6, p < 0.01) and by mMRC (χ2 = 34.6, df = 6, p < 0.01). After the application of SSRIs, there was a significant improvement in HDRS scores in all stages of COPD by FEV1 (χ2 = 251.62, df = 9, p < 0.01) and by mMRC (χ2 = 919.17, df = 9, p < 0.01). This study contributes to the improvement in the quality of life of patients by the targeted application of SSRI therapy and, therefore, more precise and better overall treatment results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Continuum of Care: Assessment, Management and Rehabilitative Interventions to Improve Care across Different Settings)
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15 pages, 267 KiB  
Article
Development and Validation of the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Competency Assessment Tool (ASRH-CAT) for Healthcare Providers
by Intan Kartina Abdul Karim, Rosnah Sutan, Azmi Mohd Tamil and Norizan Ahmad
Healthcare 2023, 11(8), 1116; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11081116 - 13 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1631
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to validate a competency assessment tool for adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) services for healthcare providers (HCP) at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities that require a specific set of competency skills to address ASRH problems. Methods: The tool development [...] Read more.
Objectives: This study aimed to validate a competency assessment tool for adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) services for healthcare providers (HCP) at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities that require a specific set of competency skills to address ASRH problems. Methods: The tool development process used the nine steps of scale development and validation. Fifty-four items were yielded through the expert panel discussion. Two hundred and forty respondents were recruited for an online questionnaire using non-probability sampling. The item content validity index (I-CVI) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used for construct validity. Results: Fourteen items were removed based on the I-CVI (scores < 0.8) and two items were removed in the EFA (factor loadings < 0.4). The reliability analysis, according to the latent factor, yielded a good item-total correlation (ITC) and a good internal consistency value, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.905–0.949. Conclusions: The final ASRH competency assessment tool (ASRH_CAT) contains 40 items and is reliable and suitable for use in studies related to the ASRH competency assessment of HCPs at the PHC level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Continuum of Care: Assessment, Management and Rehabilitative Interventions to Improve Care across Different Settings)
14 pages, 1041 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Bevacizumab and Chemotherapy on Quality of Life in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients
by Diana Cornelia Moisuc, Mihai Vasile Marinca, Andreea Mihaela Matei, Larisa Popovici and Petru Cianga
Healthcare 2023, 11(4), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11040591 - 16 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1418
Abstract
Health-related quality is of life of great importance in cancer care. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of chemotherapy and bevacizumab on the activities of daily living, cancer symptoms, and general well-being in 59 metastatic colorectal cancer patients. We gathered information [...] Read more.
Health-related quality is of life of great importance in cancer care. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of chemotherapy and bevacizumab on the activities of daily living, cancer symptoms, and general well-being in 59 metastatic colorectal cancer patients. We gathered information using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 questionnaires. The paired sample t-test, MANOVA test, and Pearson’s correlation test were used to analyze the presence of significant differences in mean scores before and after 6 months of treatment. The results revealed significant differences in the functioning and symptoms that influence patients’ quality of life after 6 months of treatment: increased pain (p = 0.003), nausea and vomiting (p = 0.003), diarrhea (p = 0.021) and decreased appetite (p = 0.003). At the same time, there were several aspects that improved the quality of life. Increases in emotional function (p = 0.009), cognitive function (p = 0.033), and perception of body image (p = 0.026) were observed after 6 months of treatment. Elderly patients reported a higher frequency of stools (p = 0.028), and young patients had increased concerns about body perception (p = 0.047). Assessing the quality of life of metastatic colorectal cancer patients is an important way to identify and treat symptoms related to both cancer and therapy by establishing a holistic care plan and implementing measures to increase the quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Continuum of Care: Assessment, Management and Rehabilitative Interventions to Improve Care across Different Settings)
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Review

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15 pages, 1325 KiB  
Review
Long-Term Spasticity Management in Post-Stroke Patients: Issues and Possible Actions—A Systematic Review with an Italian Expert Opinion
by Giovanni Morone, Alessio Baricich, Stefano Paolucci, Anna Rita Bentivoglio, Paolo De Blasiis, Matilde Carlucci, Francesco Violi, Gabriella Levato, Marcello Pani, Lucia Federica Carpagnano, Federico Spandonaro, Alessandro Picelli and Nicola Smania
Healthcare 2023, 11(6), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11060783 - 07 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3320
Abstract
Spasticity is a well-known motor dysfunction occurring after a stroke. A group of Italian physicians’ experts in treating post-stroke spasticity (PSS) reviewed the current scientific evidence concerning the state-of-the-art clinical management of PSS management and the appropriate use of botulinum toxin, aiming to [...] Read more.
Spasticity is a well-known motor dysfunction occurring after a stroke. A group of Italian physicians’ experts in treating post-stroke spasticity (PSS) reviewed the current scientific evidence concerning the state-of-the-art clinical management of PSS management and the appropriate use of botulinum toxin, aiming to identify issues, possible actions, and effective management of the patient affected by spasticity. The participants were clinicians specifically selected to cover the range of multidisciplinary clinical and research expertise needed to diagnose and manage PSS. When evidence was not available, the panel discussed and agreed on the best way to manage and treat PSS. To address the barriers identified, the panel provides a series of consensus recommendations. This systematic review provides a focused guide in the evaluation and management of patients with PSS and its complications. The recommendations reached by this panel of experts should be used by less-experienced doctors in real life and should be used as a guide on how to best use botulinum toxin injection in treating spasticity after a stroke. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Continuum of Care: Assessment, Management and Rehabilitative Interventions to Improve Care across Different Settings)
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